pain when breastfeeding????

[kaity08]

I am currently 31 weeks pregnant and planning on breastfeeding, but I have heard so many stories, and I read so many on the internet, I would like to know whether it really does hurt when breastfeeding, specially that this is my first child, and there is this one lady that told me that when she started breastfeeding her breasts got so hard like rocks and her shoulders started hurting from the weight of the breasts...... is it really that bad?????

[nikko*ttc]

I breastfed with my first and there were very few scenarios when it hurt. The main one is when the little one isn't latched on correctly. Be sure to check the latch each time and break the suction properly and relatch when necessary. Second one is when I was engorged. This happened if for some reason I didn't BF at the same exact moment that my DD needed it. Believe me, when the little on starts crying and it is a hunger cry your body knows and your boobs react. I remember one time I was on my way home and was about 15 minutes from the house when DD decided it was feeding time, my boobs hurt so bad by the time I got home (not to mention really leaky) that I had to express some milk before feeding her which seemed to agitate her even more because she had to wait. Third is when a duct is blocked or infected. This hurts like the dickens. Best thing to do is apply warm compresses to the area to unblock the area, if it is infected it will be warm, red, and angry looking. Get to the doc asap for some wonderful meds that will take away the infection. Follow any other doc recommendations on this one. With infection you still need to empty that breast, but the doc may not want you to feed on that side.

If you are planning to breast feed, please save yourself a hassle and get a pump. If you can commit to BFing full time then just get a hand expression pump, if you plan on working even part time spend the extra and get a good electric pump. I bought a cheapy first time around and it was awful. I ended up buying a more expensive better pump and it was so much beter. I am buying the medela freestyle this time around. I like how it works as well as the PIS pump and is very light weight with a rechargeable battery. The PIS is said to have a bit better suction, but it takes AA batteries (9, if I remember correctly) and can get very expensive to have in the long run.

[Tarobinc]

My friends that breast feed stated it was hard in the beginning since all of them thought it would be easy. And yes, it did hurt.  

Best bet, I think, is to make sure you get a lacation specialist to see you as soon as possible after you give birth.  A friend of mine even had one come to her house and the consultant helped her out so much.  

It will be my first time as well attempting breast feeding.  Not only is it great for all babies, it also helps shrink back our uteruses back faster than if we didn't breastfeed.  Just something to help motivate us when it gets hard!

this book was recommened to me but I have yet to read it.
"The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers : The Most Comprehensive Problem-Solution Guide to Breastfeeding from the Foremost Expert in North America"
by Dr. Jack Newman and Teresa Pitman

[Kash12]

I think it hurts if the baby doesn't latch properly. And yes its painful when the bbs are full ..and thats when u either feed to express. I don't think it will be too bad.. but again.. mine first time too..so we'll see. :) There we old times but things have advanced too much...I'll take everything with a grain of salt....
Good luck.