GainesvilleMoms.com

I am sore, sore sore! Is one harder on the breast than the other - the baby or the pump?

they can both hurt when you are sore..do you have any milk pumped all ready?? The pump you can always stop and take a break if you need to but the baby won't stop until he is full. Thats one benefit of the pump. I actually supplemented a bottle of formula when I was absolutely too sore to do anything..that is if I didnt have any milk pumped. I didn't do that often but at times I had to. Does your baby ever drink breastmilk out of a bottle?? I know they say not to give a bottle or formula until you have established a good milk supply. Is your breast sore or the nipple?? Wow guess that was a bit personal?! Warm compresses and ice always helped too!!

They say the pump is harder on you, I remember how terribly sore I was the first 3-4 weeks but it does get better!! Stick with it and keep your Lanolin close by!

Breastfeeding was sore for me, but bearable most of the time. That was, after I found out why my nipples hurt so darn much with my daughter. She had thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth). This transferred to my nipple and believe me it HURT. I'm standing in the Pediatrician's office and he's explaining Jordan's yeast infection and thrush to me. Then he turns to me and asks "Are your nipples sore?" I about died! But I said they were and he gave me a prescription for cream that cleared the issue up.

If it's your breasts that are sore, I would go with heat and cold as the previous poster suggested. Hopefully things go better for you soon!

It does get better over time. i remember the shock of feeling sore after nursing my 2nd baby. I thought for sure I'd "toughened up" from the first time. After a couple months I was okay though, although I always felt the pump was harder on me than baby!

Well, today has been a hard bf'ing day for me. I feel like I am torturing myself just to get a few ounces of milk a day. It has become really painful, but just in the last few days. I just keep saying to myself that even if he gets one full bottle of breast milk a day, that is better than none at all. I am trying to increase my supply before I go back to work in ONE WEEK! There is another reason for my hard day probably. I am leaving my baby in a week

I found that using a really warm wash cloth made mine feel better...not as sore...I tried using the Lamisil (I think it's called) but my little man wouldn't like nursing after I used it..even if I tried wiping it all off....did you try eating oatmeal? I hate it personally but my best friend swears it doubled her milk really fast....

What kind of pump do you have??? You will only pump what he usually eats at a time. In the beginning I didnt pump much either but it got better. Then a nurse made me feel dumb by telling me well you won't pump anymore than the baby eats at a time and she definitely doesnt take an 8 ounce bottle this early...Boy did I feel low after that blow b/c she was rude about it. Also drink LOTS of water!! That truly helps and oatmean helps as well!! But remember your body will only keep up with what baby eats and needs. As long as he is still wetting and pooping he is getting all that he needs!!! Keep going your doing great it will get better with time. Also you can try to pump in between feedings. That will help increase it your body will think baby is eating more. Also if you are stressed you wont produce as much at that feeding. Calm and comfortable is the key! Try not to worry!!!

I am using a Playtex pump. It's a really good one, that my SIL loaned me. I usually am able to pump about 1 ounce, and the he eats another 2.5-3 ounces after that. I am going to call the LC today, because I seriously need a break. I don't want to get too personal, but I was actually um, bleeding yesterday. That is how painful it was. I actually think it was my fault, though, because I wasn't using my Lansinoh. But boy did I learn my lesson. I just hadn't really needed it and so I forgot about it. I just wonder if it's okay to take like a two-day break. How will that affect my supply? I now understand why BF'ing can be so difficult and why a lot of moms give up on it.

I have been there before with my daughter!! She had me bleeding several times. It is really rough in the beginning.. I think it took everything in me to continue past that tough point. Many days I was ready to say forget it..then I would think about how it is best and how she liked nursing better than the bottle so that kept me going. I think you have to at least pump once in 8 hours to keep some supply going. If you have not established a good supply it may delay things. Have you tried standing in a hot shower and just letting the water beat on you. I know it sounds painful but it was rather soothing for me. the Lansinoh worked wonders as well. Give yourself a few hours and see what happens maybe you will feel better...

Suzy check out this website it has a few helpful tips
http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/html/sore_nipples.shtml

Soreness... keep nipples dry as much as possible. Lanolin helps after every feeding and shower. Just keep going... no pain no gain was my motto, after a week everything was fine. Then a few weeks later I had a bit of soreness, but just make sure he/she has a good latch from the start, once they have it--- dont move!!! You will soon trade sore nipples for a sore neck and back. Advil is my best friend. Good Luck!

Sly--
Thanks so much for the advice. I am still going, more determined than ever. Taking my fenugreek this weekend, pumping and feeding. And it seems to be getting better and easier. Big sigh of relief. One of the moms on the board (MamaC) told me something that stuck: To give it at least 6 weeks. And that stuck with me, because I was ready to give up around week 2. Here I am, still BF'ing! I'm really happy that I have stuck with it, too.

Hey that is great to hear Suzy!! I am glad it is getting better for you. I was ready to give up after 2 weeks as well but something kept me going...I think it was her determination to breastfeed..she hated the bottle.

Keep up the good work! I am so glad to hear you are still nursing.