As a midwife, I do my best to support my clients in their breastfeeding journey. One thing I've heard more than once now from my clients is that breastfeeding hurts for the first few weeks until their breasts toughen up. Breastfeeding should not hurt, ever!
Even if you are experienced with breastfeeding, every baby is different. One baby may have a perfect latch and you will experience no pain at all. The next baby may have problems latching and that can cause discomfort. Remember, breastfeeding is a new experience for every baby, and there is a learning curve they go through.
If you are having pain, here are some things you can try:
There are many things that are considered normal that as a midwife, I do not consider normal. Pain while breastfeeding is one of those things that many people think is normal. I do not. Breastfeeding should not hurt, ever!
Even if you are experienced with breastfeeding, every baby is different. One baby may have a perfect latch and you will experience no pain at all. The next baby may have problems latching and that can cause discomfort. Remember, breastfeeding is a new experience for every baby, and there is a learning curve they go through.
If you are having pain, here are some things you can try:
- Nipple shields can be your best friend. They let baby latch while protecting your breast tissue, giving it more time to heal
- Change nursing positions. If you use a different nursing position every time you latch baby on, you change the pressure points on your breast tissue which helps prevent injury to the tissue.
- After nursing, express some breastmilk and rub it on your nipple and areola, letting it air dry. Breastmilk is an amazing healing substance, so take advantage of it.
- Consider chiropractic care for you and baby. Sometimes muscle tightness or something out of alignment for you or baby can affect how well baby latches on.
- Have baby evaluated for tongue and lip ties. Ties may cause nursing issues and a revision can resolve these issues. While ties may make things harder, babies can be nursed with them. My son had a massive upper lip tie but we still had a successful nursing season.
- Sometimes pumping can be helpful. It gives your tissues more time to heal between nursing sessions. Be mindful about how the expressed milk is given to baby. I prefer cup feeding over bottle, and yes you can cup feed a newborn.
- Seek help from a lactation consultant or your local La Leche League.
There are many things that are considered normal that as a midwife, I do not consider normal. Pain while breastfeeding is one of those things that many people think is normal. I do not. Breastfeeding should not hurt, ever!
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