Is breast feeding really so awful?

Question

I'm pregnant with my first baby and I really want to breastfeed, but I've heard it can be really painful. Any tips to help with that? I've heard a nursing newborn shouldn't use a pacifier because it teaches them to suck too hard when feeding. Is that true?

Answer 1

Its not terrible.

Answer 2

Breastfeeding is the most wonderful and healthful thing you can do for your baby. I'm nursing my third now and usually do it for the first two years.

Getting started was really hard for me, but everyone is different. It took about six weeks to toughen up my nipples so that I didn't feel any pain. Every time I breastfed my baby I was in serious pain, but I never considered stopping because the health benefits are so profound. After about six weeks it was a BREEZE and I can't say enough about how convenient it is to always have warm healthy milk on hand.

I know this is very oppinionated, but I feel strongly that it's the ONLY way to feed your baby. Formula companies can't possibly create anything in the same league as the real thing and it's preposterous that anyone would suggest thay can. If you can breastfeed and you're having trouble, please find support online or with a La Leche group or lactation consultant. It is so worth it.

Answer 3

Breastfeeding is wonderful.  It may cause a little bit of uncomfortness in the beginning b/c it's a sensation that your nipples have never dealt with before.  After a few weeks it's perfectly fine.  You shouldn't give them a pacifier for a few months because of nipple confusion.  They may get confused and not think that your breast is meant for food.

Answer 4

There is a hard time (about the first 2-4 days) where your nipples are getting used to the sucking.  During this time you can use nipple cream to help with the soreness.  This really is the worst time, if you are hurting after that then there is a problem and you would want to consult a lactation consultant for assistance.  

There are so many benefits of breastfeeding that it really is worth it, the couple of days of discomfort.  Remember to bring some nipple cream with you to the hospital because the discomfort my start before you leave and who would want to go buy some after being discharged.

As for the pacifier question, that isn't really the reason.  There are multiple reasons not to use a pacifier on a breastfeed baby more so at the beginning.  A great article from the LaLeche League states "Pro: Babies need to suck. Sucking calms and quiets them. Mother's breast is not always available. Pacifiers are a convenient substitute.

Con: Pacifiers are artificial nipples and may confuse a baby, leading to ineffective sucking at the breast. Pacifiers decrease the amount of time a baby spends at the breast, and this may affect the mother's milk supply.

Is it appropriate for a breastfeeding mother to offer her baby a pacifier? The answer is—sometimes."

http://www.llli.org/NB/NBNovDec95p172.ht...

If you haven't heard of the LaLeche League, this site has tons of questions and answers for you to review that will help with any future questions you may have.  http://www.llli.org/nb.html

My first child I gave up after 9 weeks when I went back to work, but I am now breastfeeding my second child and we are still going strong with no problems at 2 1/2 months and I am so thankful that all is going well this time around.  You can also attend a meeting for a local La Leche League meeting and you will be able to find out tons of info and meet other moms that are either pregnant or breastfeeding.

I hope this helps!  Good luck and remember just have fun with it!

Answer 5

yup it hurts..but it is worth it..my baby is 12 weeks and it is soo easy now and I love it..it is giving us a great bond..do it and just stick with it..it wont be painful forever...soon your nipples will be like leather...just kidding.

Answer 6

Done correctly it doesn't involve pain, and a nursing newborn just doesn't need a plastic plug in his or her mouth. If you're in pain, get _qualified_ help asap.

Answer 7

My week old daughter doesnt use a paci because she can't keep it in her mouth lol..but d**n she sucks pretty hard!! It does hurt..and there's notta lot you can do about it. You can put tea bags on your nipples and that helps with some pain. It's not all the bad tho..

Answer 8

I'm a new mom and I have breastfed exclusively for 5 months. Breast feeding can be challenging at times but it is only painful for a short period of time. During the first few days, your b*****s become engorged with milk, making them very tender. I think that engorgement happens whether you breast feed or not. Also, your nipples can get chapped and sore but you quickly get used to it. I suggest that you buy a lanolin/beeswax nipple soother and start applying it now because it will help prep your nipples for use. Get a comfortable nursing bra without an under wire as well.

You shouldn't give a newborn a pacifier because they are still learning how to nurse from the breast and there is a different sucking action involved in sucking a pacifier. That doesn't mean that you can't have pacifiers at all, just none the first few weeks.  

Have patience and good luck. It really is the best for the baby and the best for you (it lowers your chances of getting cancer).  

Answer 9

It does hurt if you do it when they get teeth but it's not difficult before that. My first daughter nursed until she was 3. Contact the leleche league. I breastfed twins for a year. Then I said I want my body back. They don't need a pacifier. It might make them confused because the nipples are so different.

Answer 10

I nursed all three of my babies and there was nothing to it.  I didn't have to worry about bringing bottles and etc.  There was no pain involved and truthfully my babies and I really bonded.  I also did not give any of my babies pacifiers either.

Answer 11

Not true I was worried about this myself and have been breastfeeding my baby for 5 weeks and I don't have a problem with it hurting.  If the baby is latched on correctly it won't hurt at all.  And I give my baby a pacifier and he does just fine feeding. At first he really didn't want the pacifier.  I guess it just depends on the baby.

Answer 12

i am a mom for a 9 month old daughter and i am still breast feeding her..nothing of that is true..it doesn't hurt at all..u will find that it is sweet sensation that other non-breast feeding moms lost it..and i didn't let her take the pacifier so she won't be used on it..believe me u r gonna like it

Answer 13

Breastfeeding never be painful.  Yes you can experience some tenderness to start but its closer to an achy overused muscle than to pain.  Real pain means the latch is wrong -fix the latch and the pain will go away in less than 24 hours.

Yes pacifiers can cause babies to suck incorrectly.  If you are going to use one its best not to do so until at least 2 weeks after breastfeeding is going well.  However babies do not need, and many do not want pacifiers.  

Answer 14

It hurts like holy h**l for awhile but then you get used to it and it kinda feels good after awhile.  I nursed for 3 yrs. with one my sons.  It is worth it.

Answer 15

The best answer is your own.  When your baby gets here don't be afraid to nurse.  It's the best thing for her and you and then you can decide how YOU feel about it.  I nursed 4 children and I wouldn't have it any other way.  It hurt when I nursed the last 2 but not the first 2.  I got over the pain and we learned to work together.  They have to learn to suck just like you have to learn to nurse.  I didn't quit on them and they didn't quit on me and we were all happy in the end!  Using a pacifier didn't affect my daughter's nursing habits so I'd say that isn't necessarily true.  Each infant is different, I can only speak for mine.  Don't be afraid to try, it's the best bonding experience ever!

Good luck!!

Answer 16

Breastfeeding is only painful if you do it wrong.  You need to make sure your baby is properly latched otherwise it shouldn't hurt.  It may be uncomfortable for the first several weeks but it should then get better. I had a wonderful experience breastfeeding.  My baby and I had a few problems at the beginning but I was committed to breastfeeding and we got over the first few hurdles. After that it was great.  She is 16 months now and still asks to nurse before bed.  I am trying to wean her from this but it has been hard.  I am afraid of giving up that beautiful bond we have with each other.  

A pacifier can cause what they call "nipple confusion" and many lactation experts recommend waiting until at least five weeks (when breastfeeding is well established) until introducing a pacifier and a bottle. I was determined not to give my baby a pacifier but all she wanted to do was suck so I finally gave in after practically nursing her 24 hours straight.  She never had any problems nursing though and she loved her pacifier until about 4 months when she didn't want it anymore.  

I would strongly recommend taking a class if you have access to one or finding a good book on breastfeeding.  Knowing how to latch your baby will save you such grief! Also, the hospital I had my baby has lactation consultants that will come talk to you if you are having any problems.  I also was able to talk to them again when I was at home.  

Answer 17

The 2 things that really bothered me was before "let down" part and when it was time to nurse them. It felt like my b***s were in a vice-grip! I saw a lot of good advice from the others on here. I must say, the pain was worth it b/c I bonded even more with my babies!

Answer 18

Breastfeeding isn't awful at all. It's wonderful! Your nipples may get a little sensitive or even hurt the 1st wks but then they go back to normal. I only had sensitive nipples for about 2 wks & With the help of a little lansinoh lanolin i was all better.

I absolutely love nursing my son. Been doing it for 6months now.

God Bless

Answer 19

congratulations, breastfeeding is really good for you and the baby however if your nipples are very sensitive then breast feeding probably isn't a wise choice however if they are not then breast feeding is fine, and a pacifier can be used it doesn't really effect the way the baby sucks.

Answer 20

I hav ebeen breastfeeding for 10 months now and I am so glad that I continued.  I will continue until my son is 1 years old.  I have to admit, at first...it really hurt for about 2 months.  I got to a point where I was crying but I ended up having a lactation consultant come by and she told me about the medela brand nipple shield. I used it for about 1 week and my nipples healed up...but then I decided to wear it on and off for  many. many weeks and then I tapered its use off.  

It help me toughen up the nipple but at the same time heal it as well.  By month 3, I was good to go and now I am at a point where I dislike pumping and wish to be home on time to nurse my baby.

Pacifiers...the baby will be fine.  He started out using the NUK brand and then I switched to Avent.  He only uses it at night time and at naps.  I have heard that a pacifier can change the suck...but if your baby has strong suck from the beginning...you will have very little nipple confusion.

Good Luck!