Painful latch

[TtownMoma]

I am BFing for the first time and ended up with some horribly traumatized nipples due to poor technique. I think I am doing better, as the sucking no longer hurts, but it is still painful when DD latches. It has been about 5 days since I was able to eliminate the pain in sucking. Will the pain in latching go away as I heal, or does it mean I still have poor latch technique?

[Leaner]

Most likely it will go away as you heal.
Also how old is your lo? It can take a while for a baby and mama to learn to breastfeed. My lo is almost 16 weeks old and it took us 10 to "get the hang of it" (Even though I had nursed a baby before!)

[Aleesh_Mom]

Originally Posted by Leaner Most likely it will go away as you heal. Also how old is your lo? It can take a while for a baby and mama to learn to breastfeed. My lo is almost 16 weeks old and it took us 10 to "get the hang of it" (Even though I had nursed a baby before!)

This. I successfully bf'd two before my most recent, with latch pain only for the first week until I 'toughened up'. This go around I had cracked bleeding nipples, and the latch pain just very recently subsided. She's 12 weeks tomorrow. Hang in there, momma!

[smilewithme]

I had a painful latch for a while, and it seemed like it lasted forever. But looking back, it was not that long. It'll get better mama!

[proudmama4]

I had painful latch w/ my twins. And I had had no issues w/ my first child. I got a free consult w/ the Lactation Consultants at our hospital, and they reminded me what I was doing incorrectly. It's been awhile...I forget what it was. Whatever it was, it corrected the issue. So I would say if it doesn't go away in a week, seek out an LC.

[GreysBumatomy]

the first few days with DS his latch was super painful and i got fluid blisters on my tips. my LC showed me to tip the nipple upward and push it further into his mouth when he latches and now its not painful anymore. In the meantime, the Lanisoh cream definitely helped soothe the soreness away while they healed up.

[TtownMoma]

Thanks for the encouragement. I have seen a LC a couple of times (in the hospital and 1 wk after) and didn't really get any feedback on the latch. I actually had a couple of pain free latches last night (yeah!). I think some of it may have to do with how full I am when she starts feeding.

[Carolyn528]

Check and see if the baby is tongue tied! I had one that was a terrible nurser. A simple tongue clipping solved all his nursing issues. He is much less gassy now too!

[myclanof6]

It took dd and I about 2 months before there wasn't any discomfort. She was my first bf baby and I guess I had to "toughen up" as well. It really hurt for the first 2-3 weeks when EVERYONE said it shouldn't. She was gaining fine, latch seemed fine, sucking was fine, it just HURT! I think it just takes time depending on how your body is but it should get better. If you are too full (I learned this as well) it can be hard for your LO to latch on. You may need to pump or hand express for a few to get some of the fullness out. This is new to both of you and not "natural" for everyone but it's worth it if you can get it all figured out.

[Sempergumbywife]

I notice that whenever I let down it initially hurts more than after a minute or so the pain goes away. My problem is the left side she seems to move the very tip around more and that can make it painful. This is my first time around nursing and she is 9 weeks. Hope it gets better for you.