New mommy with BFing questions

Hi all:

My baby girl was born 6/3. I *think* breastfeeding is going well but I have a few questions/concerns:

1. She latches on quickly and usually wide mouthed. However, once she starts sucking she clamps her mouth tight first 5-10 seconds and the pain makes my toes curl. After that she opens wide and continues to feed. Any advice on how to stop her from doing this?

2. After feedings (she's doing about 10-15 mins on each side) my breasts sometimes feel sore and hard on the side. Not the whole breast, just on the outter side. How do I know if this is a clogged duct? I have read that clogged ducts are very painful and can cause a fever etc. This isn't really pain, just soreness and fullness.

Thanks for any advice!!

Re: New mommy with BFing questions

Ummmmm not really a pro, but I have been BFE for 7 months...

I am thinking that the pain of the first 5-10 seconds will go away... try the Lansinoh cream to keep them moist and do not let them dry out...

Regarding the hardness on the side... I never had that... but are you changing postion's / holds? Maybe some ducts are not being used as much as others? I remember when I first started I would do the football and then the standard and then I tried the laying down one... Although I had a c-section and didn't get used to that one until I got home.

Good Luck, and Don't give up... There is a breast feeding thread on here if you do a search... and there are some great books... Le Leche breastfeeding book...

Re: New mommy with BFing questions

I don't know about the latch issue, but my guess is that it will get better as she gets better with BF'ing. I also get engorgement on the sides of my boobs, I just massage them while I am feeding the baby. Its worse in the mornings, but 14 weeks in, I am still hoping it is going to calm down.

Good luck!

Re: New mommy with BFing questions

I was in constant pain first 2 weeks BF. It does go away, but I think because you and baby eventually learn to latch on better. You have to get your nipple up in the top of the mouth where there is a

Before she latches, try aiming your nipple to the roof of her mouth. Think of your breast like a giant sandwich, squish it, and aim it for the roof, getting as much as you can in. It doesn't have to be dead center, but you'll find the angle of least pain eventually.

Warm compress and gentle massage on breast before you feed her, will help soften breasts.

When I had a clogged duct I was running a low grade fever and it was more pain than just pressure.
I just did hot showers, squeezing and massaging breasts, pumping feeding every minute I could. Was all cleared up in a few days.

Re: New mommy with BFing questions

Yes, the pain will go away. As far as the hardness, soreness, I agree with pp, try different positions to make sure all ducts are working. I used a diaper soaked w/hot water to apply a warm compress when needed. It helped.

Re: New mommy with BFing questions

Re: New mommy with BFing questions

The pain does go away...it just takes some time.

As far as the breast...if it goes away it's not a clogged duct. They will saty hard and sore until the clog is drained. If it's sore and hard for a few minutes or doesn't go away until she nurses then yes...it's a duct. I have pain around the edges of the nipple because she latched REALLY hard. It's almost like she's bruising my nipple. Maybe that's what you feel. If it is a duct you should do warm compresses, hot showers, massage, offer that side first and maybe even throw in a pump session with a heating pad over that breast. These things all helped me. I also pumped every 3-4 hrs, but if I had a clog I did that side every 1.5-2hrs until it was gone. i was lucky.....they all went away with in 1 day and only happened I think 2-3 times.