when will it stop hurting?

[sweetangel7]

I've been bf'ing almost 2 weeks and it is excrutiating, toe curling!  I've met with three lactation consultants who have said there is nothing I am doing wrong but my son has a short tongue and also likes to grind his gums on my nipple like a little saw!  He latches great but gets his gums going and it is soooo painful.  Will it ever stop hurting...I am at the point where i HATE nursing and dread it!  I know this is not healthy...I did stop for a bit because my nipples had scabs so I pumped for like 2 days to have a break but it seemed like i just couldnt pump enough so we had to supplement with formula...but it seems like he pukes after each formula feed and get gassy and it looks like he is really uncomfortable.....help!

[Michele, Katy, TX]

sweetangel, I left some comments about this on your Moody Monday thread.  My suggestions were basically to use the cream, as you are.  Make sure when you bathe, to only use warm water and no soap on your nipples.  If it is possible to go topless for a while around the house, I suggest it.  I know it may get a bit messy at times, but if you can get away with it, I'd suggest it.  I was told when they are done nursing, to put a little of the breastmilk around your nipple with your finger and then to let it air dry.  Then put the cream.  My ped also told me that they get all of the nutrition that they are going to get in the first 10 minutes (on each side).  After that, it is all about comfort for them.  If you are not hurting, then I give them that comfort, but since you are hurting, I'd suggest trying to put a pacifier in his mouth if he wants more than 10 minutes on each side.  At that point he is using you as a pacifier and that is not good when you are in pain.

I've nursed all 5 of my kids and I just know I am forgetting something.  Oh, have you tried nipple shields??  Those helped me with my 2nd child.

I had my first child very young and I was in a lot of pain when I nursed him also.  Then I had my first daughter (almost 8 years later) and felt that same pain, but with all of my kids since then, it hasn't hurt quite as bad.  That is only because they have been so much closer together in age.  So, the closer together they are, it's like your nipples are still in shape from the last time.  But the long span between my first and 2nd is what got me there.  So, if you only wait a couple of years between kids, I doubt you will experience this much pain the next time around.

I hope you feel better soon.  I know how bad this hurts :)

[chantal21]

I think my son may have been biting down on my nipples as well, along with having really good suction. You are not kidding when you say it rivals labor pains!! lol. It was awful for me! But I managed to nurse for a year and he just stopped over a month ago now.  
That's good your nipples aren't cracked or bleeding. I'm sure that could make it even worse for you. Try to hang in there...it does get better, I promise. I know it doesn't seem like it now, but eventually it does! Most people I talked to about it said it would stop after the 1st week but definitely by the 2nd week, that's why I thought something was wrong. But my midwife said it can be normal for some to have more pain than others. Just always be sure that everytime he nurses, his lips are like duck lips. Sometimes if the bottom or top lips seems to be curled in, even just a tiny bit, it can make things worse. Other than that, I wish you the best and hope the pain eases up sooner for you than it did for me.

[sweetangel7]

OY!  4 months!  I use lansinoh multiple times every day!  It sounds like we are in a similar situation...the lactation consultants couldn't really find a reason for the pain other than they said he has a shorter tongue BUT it comes out over his gums so it isn't abnormally short...and it seems like he is biting/holding my nipple tightly between his gums.  I know it is the best for him so I have been trying so hard to work through it...It seriously rivals labor pains!  

No one talks about bf'ing MAJORLY hurting!  

BUT my nipples aren't cracked or bleeding...they started then I got the lansinoh...but the lact. consult. said my nipples were in great shape (literally and figuratively) and he has a good latch...He just has a STRONG suckle combined with some gumming!

[chantal21]

I can tell you my experience.....I was in excruciating pain, and I mean that toe curling pain EVERY time I nursed my son. He was latched properly, even my midwife couldn't figure out why I was still in so much pain. I had this pain for at least the first 4 months (not to scare you!)....I don't even know how I did it. I wanted to give up, but I knew that nursing was best for him and thankfully I didn't have to supplement. My breasts never cracked or bled, but I thought they would. They were sensitive to the touch and hurt like mad. (maybe because it was my first time ever nursing? hopefully this time around it won't be so bad for me) And everytime I got a let down, it was 10x worse!! I think my son just had REALLY good suction, and that's why it was so painful. But I never got thrush nor did he.
I remember my mom got thrush with my little brother and her nipples were cracked and bleeding and my little brothers tongue and mouth were white as can be. She somehow managed through it and it went away.
You could always see if the doc could just make sure it's not thrush. Are you putting anything on your nipples to help the pain and soothe them? I used Lansinoh everyday all day. The nice thing is you don't have to wipe it off before nursing and it's safe for baby.
I'm sorry you are in so much pain. If I could give you any advice, it would be to just try to stick it out (even though I know it's hard)...it really does get better! I'm glad I waited it out, I finally got to a point where it didn't hurt anymore and the only semi-painful thing was the let down. Eventually that goes away too. I wish you the best!!