So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

I posted that I had to stop breastfeeding for a week bc I went in for surgery. I just resumed it again today. DD is 2 1/2 weeks old. I have pumped this week and while my nipples were a little sore when I pumped, it's nothing compared to the pain I'm feeling today when I feed DD. I am so uncomfortable during the feeding that I can't wait for it to be over. Is this just a normal part of BFing? Anyone have any advice?

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

Yes it is. In the beginning it is sore because your nipples need to toughen up and probably because she is not properly latching and is pinching your nipple when she nurses. Make sure that she is getting a good amount of not just the nipple, but the areola in her mouth and position her so that her arm is under your arm and her head is resting on your upper arm. I hope this helps! Good luck!

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

Yes. Even with DD latching properly, it felt like razor blades in my nipples for the first few weeks. Then for a few weeks it was just painful when she latched. Now DD is 4 1/2 months old and it's a breeze. I remember how hard it was. Just know that it definitely gets easier.

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

Sadly....YEP! Even DD2 I went through it all over again (& I BF 13mo with DD1, so I knew how to do it).

Get the gel pads that go in the fridge. So soothing to put on immediately after. If you are bleeding & getting raw, try to let them air as much as possible & use a little lanolin gel too.

It ABSOLUTELY doesn't go on forever, & will get easier to where it won't hurt at all!!!!!

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

UNfortunately yes...I BF DD1 for 21 months and still had a ton of pain with DD2....She destroyed my nipples so bad the 1st few days that I used a nipple shield for 4 days so that my nipples could heal.

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

Try a nipple sheild

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

Make sure your LO is latching on high enough on your areola and not just the nipple. With dd1 she had a great latch and I didn't have any pain, some soreness but nothing bad. Now with DS he struggles to latch properly and that's when it's painful for me. I have offer it and pull back a few times to get him to open wide enough.

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

It was very painful during the initial latch for the first several weeks, but it shouldn't hurt the entire time you're BFing. It sounds like the baby isn't latching properly. There were times when I had to take DS off several times during a feeding in order to get him to latch correctly.

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

Be careful. It can be deceiving to have so many people say yes it is normal for it to hurt. Yes, it does hurt. But it's hard to say what's normal and what's not. I had so much pain w/ DD that it was NOT normal. She had tongue tie and was not latching properly but turns out never would and I didn't know that so I suffered for mos b/c I thought it was normal. DS same thing so I gave up earlier for my own well being. The DS #2 and DC #3 didn't have tongue tie and ended up EBFing. With him it was painful in beginning but I could tell it was a different kind of pain. We worked very hard on getting him to latch correctly. It has gotten much better. But there are still times it hurts. When he's sick and can't breathe as well he doesn't latch as kindly.

I'd say see a lactation consultant or go to a support group to be sure that there isn't a latch issue and go from there. Good luck

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

what type of pain...BF when done properly really shouldn't hurt. Check to make sure the latch is good...

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

It can be painful during the first 4-6 weeks and then I promise it's better. You could have a clogged duct or mastisitis. My suggestion is to see a Lactation Consultant.

Also, keep BFing and pumping through the pain. What exactly hurts? For me, it was the cracked nipples. My left nipple was worse so I would just pump that one until it healed and feed her from the right only.

Earth mama Angel Baby nipple butter helped and those Gel Soothies that you put in the fridge.


I promise it gets better!!!

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

There's definitely a normal pain and then a pain because you're doing it wrong or you have a clogged duct etc. See a LC!!! Or go to a BFing support group. Look on the LLL website. They have a lot of info and meetings throughout LI.

Also, read Kellymom.com Make sure your baby is latching on correctly. Try nursing laying down on the side.

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?

Little soreness is normal first week or so , especially when the baby first starts eating , for a few seconds. but BF shouldn't really hurt , if it does it's most likely because the baby isn't latching on proprly.

Re: So painful to breastfeed...is this normal?