Breastfeeding moms--painful latch with third baby?

Question

OK, I feel like I know what I'm doing by now, but I am having a lot of pain latching my son on and throughout the feeding. Naturally, he wants to feed every half hour or so! :-) I have some scabs and cracks on one side. What's going on?

I'll check with a La Leche League leader later, but I would love to hear your experiences.

Answer 1

Ouch - that hurts!  I went through the same thing with my little guy.  What helped me was trying a different nursing position with him and be sure that he's latching on properly and not just getting the nipple itself.  I hold my son directly across my chest so we sort of form a cross, and sometimes I hold him football style.  

To help with the cracks and scabbing...try letting breastmilk dry on them.  They'll get better in no time - just be sure that the latching is correct....breastfeeding shouldn't be painful.

Answer 2

We all know that breastfeeding shouldn't hurt but we all know that it can!  The toe-curling pain of a baby latching onto a cracked and sore nipple is indescribable and worse still knowing that your baby is sucking blood. YUCK!!

I really suffered for several weeks with my first three children.  They were latching on properly but nipples are sensitive and not used (well not mine) to being sucked on for several hours every day.  With my third, I ended up feeding on one side for some time to let my nipple heal as I was crying at every feed with the pain (you get very lopsided doing this!!)

Breast milk is good for nipples but make sure your breastpads are dry as a warm moist environment won't let them heal. I've never used the creams that are available but am told some are very good.

Strangely, with my most recent baby (17weeks today) the painful nipple thing didn't last very long at all I'm relieved to say.

I found that when my nipple was cracked and scabbed, the pain of latching on and feeding was worse so, revolting though it may sound, I used to remove the scab, leaving the nipple sore but soft and after the feed I would rub breast milk into the nipple and it healed quite quickly.

Keep at it, things will improve.  Good Luck