Breastfeeding OMG HELP

[kc1021]

My baby is about 5 days old now and my milk came in on Sat night, so almost 3 days ago.  I breastfed with my son and I remember it taking a little while to get the hang of, but I dont have horrible memories from it.  This time around I am in so much pain I almost had to go buy formula last night because my nipples are so sore and my breasts are so engorged.  I had to feed her last night and I cried through the whole thing because it felt like my nipples were on fire.  There are red blood blisters at the tips.  

Does anyone know how long engorgement lasts? I think because I am SO engorged (I mean gigantic overflowing, hard breasts) that its hard for her to get the full nipple and areola into her mouth so she ends up ***** just on the nipple, which is causing all of the pain and tenderness.

Any advice? I am going to try and get some more pain meds for the mean time, I can't nurse in this kind of pain!

[FirstCub4Bear]

I was going to say you should pump when your nipples get sore to give them a break but still keep your milk production. That's what I wound up doing. I give my guy 1-2 breast milk bottles a day and breastfeed during the late night hours (when I don't want to deal with bottles) and a few times a day.
When my breasts get full (and painful)  it helps A LOT to take a shower and run my breasts under the hot water (sometimes my nipples were so sore though I had to cover them with my hands). Lanolin Lanolin Lanolin after each feeding!
My baby turned 1 month yesterday and though I've got the breastfeeding down, I still have days when my nipples are very sore and feeding is painful. For some reason, my right breast never hurts during feedings but my left breast is usually very tender. I tend to breastfeed out of my right breast and pump the left!
Good luck! This is a battle for everyone, I think. It's amazing how difficult and painful breastfeeding is considering it's the "best for baby" you'd think it'd be easier!!

[GRose]

I would pump first and then nurse her. It is likely that she isn't latching correctly if you are getting blisters and that could be because you are so engorged. Hang in there it WILL get easier. Make sure you are using lots of lanolin cream on your nips, it will help SOOO much!

[ArmyPrincess819]

I"m just pumping now I just started this am my pump came ups LOL. My breasts hurt more when i need to pump than when I do. I don't want to damage my nipple so I'm going to bottle feed it to him along with forumula to just due to him having the jaundice etc. Did you join the breastfeeding community! I cant' wait to see the help I get there! I hope you feel better soon! If you need to formula feed to there is forumula that is very close to breast milk.

Hugs,
AP

[kc1021]

just talked with the lactation consultant and we have a plan to take baby off the breast for 24 hours and pump instead and give her milk that way.  Let the nipples heal  and engorgement go down.  So if anyone else is having issues, might also help to do that.

[kc1021]

wow, medhelp bleaped out s-u-c-king, what is wrong with that word?   Weird, medhelp.