Will Nipple shields Help?

[Kizmet]

DS is 2 weeks old () and has so far had no issues breastfeeding. He has great attachment and is going really well weight gain wise. I dont have any damage to my (o)(o) but it hurts like nothing else every time he latches on. He is latching properly I know as I had lots of visits with lactation consultants at the hospital as I was stressing about attachment but it is just still so painful. The pain only lasts for about the first 30 seconds of every feed but those 30 seconds hurt so much I just want to cry. Just wondering if using nipple shields would alleviate some of the pain or not because there is no damage iykwim? I have some here as a precaution but havent used them yet. I was worried it might effect his attachment if I introduced shields.

So after all that will nipple shields help alleviate some of the 30 seconds of pain? Also tell me the honest truth is this pain going to settle soon??I know it has only been two weeks and I will keep going regardless but it bloody hurts

[little bean]

Definitely give them a go. I used them from 2 weeks until 3 months. There is no way I could have BF without them - was WAY too painful - ended up in tears a few times.

Then one day, at 3 months, I forgot to bring them with me when I went out and so I tried without them and all went well. I think DD had grown a bit and her larger mouth allowed for more comfortable feeding. So now I BF without them.

I bought both sizes and chose the one that would be the most comfortable - I preferred the small size but if my nipples were a bit sore I used the larger ones.

They are a bit of a pain to wash and sterilise but definitely worth a go if they relieve the pain! Maybe use them sometimes and BF without them if your nipples are feeling okay?

[coogeemum]

I used nipple shields with success for a few weeks while the pain was unbearable. I had the a crack appear sometimes. I suspect my bub and I had some latching issues thrown in, unlike yourself. I promise it doesn't hurt forever. I think I was pain free within about 6 weeks. I suggest you just take really deep breaths for those 30 seconds, and try and relax your shoulders down. If you do try them, just make sure you do it short term only. Good luck.

[the_queen]

I would advise you to just wait a couple more weeks (which I know, sounds like a lifetime ) That toe-curling pain is normal, and the only time it's not normal is if it lasts longer than 30 seconds. If it goes away after 30 seconds, then it's normal. And one of these days, it will just disappear I promise. I was exactly the same with my boy, I did have an attachment issue on one side and got cracked etc, fixed all that, but the toe-curling pain was still there - until one day, it was just gone. My midwife said it's something about your nipples "toughening up" so to speak. One day, it's just going to be painless, totally painless. I promise. Nipple shields can be counter-productive, so I'd avoid them unless absolutely necessary.

Just wait another week - see how it goes then. I think from memory the pain went away for me at around 4 weeks, thereabouts.

[Kizmet]

ok thanks for the advice ladies! Am going to just stamp my feet for 30 seconds while feeding and give it a few more weeks without the shields. Thank heavens there is light at the end of the tunnel! Speaking of toe curling pain it is time to feed DS. *deep breath in and out*

[the_queen]

Yes - use those birthing breathing techniques srsly, deep deep breaths do help, the large oxygen intake helps with natural pain relief. and the long exhale helps your body to relax - tensing up will make the pain seem worse.

[Lil X-men]

Yeah I found that like some one else said being aware of your shoulders and tension and consciously make the effort to relax everytime you attach him, it helped so much in the first few weeks I ended up throwing away my nipple sheilds as for me they actually made the fissures in my nipplees crack and lead to even more painful Bf'ing!!
I thought the pain would never stop, especially when it all started to settle down nicely at afew weeks old and then we got thrush and it hurt all over again!
But now bubs is 4months old and I really can't believe it doesnt hurt now, not one bit!! It's awesome, I never would have believed someone before I had this bubs that BF could be nice and NOT painful as I had never experienced anything but pain with bfing my first son for various reasons and then I gave up and put him on formula before the pain settled down.
It does go away and then bf'ing is just frickin great, I am still stoked that I can BF whilts walking around shopping! Seriously never thought that would be possible, thought I'd be tied to the couch in pain for my entire bf'in career lol!!

Hope you feel better soon and dont need your nipple sheilds

[reAllytee]

Oh yes that wonderful pain

RB gave me a great tip of keeping a facewasher close by cause then you could bite into it for those first few seconds. Much better than gritting your teeth. Sorta allows you to scream when necessary too & muffles it

[punkbaby]

hey kimzet i felt like you are now just last week my nipples have just eased and now i dont cringe each time indie latches on, shes 3 and a half weeks, i would wait a little longer if you can. i did find though that putting a warm face washer on each boob before feeding seemed to ease things ohh and stupid as it sounds i wiggled my toes when she first latched on too it did ease after the initial first few minutes though

it will get better not long to go now i hope

[ikis84]

I would advise you to just wait a couple more weeks (which I know, sounds like a lifetime ) That toe-curling pain is normal, and the only time it's not normal is if it lasts longer than 30 seconds. If it goes away after 30 seconds, then it's normal. And one of these days, it will just disappear I promise. I was exactly the same with my boy, I did have an attachment issue on one side and got cracked etc, fixed all that, but the toe-curling pain was still there - until one day, it was just gone. My midwife said it's something about your nipples "toughening up" so to speak. One day, it's just going to be painless, totally painless. I promise. Nipple shields can be counter-productive, so I'd avoid them unless absolutely necessary.

Just wait another week - see how it goes then. I think from memory the pain went away for me at around 4 weeks, thereabouts.

I used to count to ten while waiting for it to subside... I think after about week 4 or 5 it didn't hurt anymore. I went to wince/count at attachment one feed, and I didn't need to . I so feel your pain though... it has started happening again (I think because of pregnancy hormones). It's not fun, but it will go. I just have... oh, say 4 more months of it while I am pregnant, and then another month or two with the freshie. Joy