As a mom or a mom trying to breastfeed for the first time, take heart. Breastfeeding can hurt in the first few weeks for a few reasons but mainly because your body isn’t used to it. The pain should stop about 20-30 seconds after the baby has latched and begins swallowing. If it doesn’t, then check your latch. For me, with all three babies the pain generally subsided (where it wasn’t toe curling) around week 2-3. Also, in the beginning, remember that your body is producing thick colostrum and the baby has to work harder to pull it out of the breast - potentially causing soreness and pain. Here are the three scenarios we encountered in case you find yourself in a similar situation:
- Our first had a really, insanely strong suck. I mean, so strong he would pull a nipple off a bottle. In the beginning, the pain subsided but then it would sear and radiate when he was done nursing. I don’t have a medical term or answer for this but my nipples would be white since he would literally cut off the blood flow. OUCH! For relief I would massage myself immediately after and apply warmth. You can obviously use a heating pad but I stuck to the poor man’s method of rice in a sock, heated for about 20 seconds in the microwave. I also learned to switch sides after about 5-7 minutes and not just let him go to town for 20 minutes on one side. Let’s just say he was an efficient eater.
- Our second had all sorts issues. Poor thing. I thought I knew what I was doing, that it’d be like riding a bike. Wrong. I ended up hiring a lactation consultant who came to my house and spent every bit of 4 hours with me. It was amazing, so helpful, and I learned a ton! She taught me how to determine if the baby had tongue tie (our girl had partial tongue tie) and how to nurse her to help with her reflux. You can read more about her tips on this post - colic shmolic. I highly recommend calling a lactation consultant or a friend with lots of breastfeeding experience and a generally upbeat and encouraging demeanor in regard to the subject. Life. Changing.
- Third times a charm! I followed all the lactation consultants tips but it helped that this baby had an instant and amazing latch. So good that it’s all she wants to do sometimes and I am not and cannot be a pacifier. OUCH again! This time was also different because I had to pump since this little miracle was in the NICU for 9 days. To say my nipples hurt was an understatement. I heeded the advice of a dear friend who, get this, exclusively pumped for BOTH her girls. She is a hero in my book, that’s for sure. I incorporated some of her amazing advice into what I already knew in the pumping tips section.
Pumping tips
Please understand how much breastmilk a baby needs in a day. It’s usually between 24-30 ounces spread out over 24 hours. Don’t feel like if you’re not saving a ton of extra that your body isn’t able to keep up. That is simply not true. You don’t need 1,000 ounces of breastmilk before leaving baby to a bottle or when you return to work. Putting pressure on yourself will definitely not help. Stress will dry you up faster than anything so don’t do it, mama! These are just things I’ve done and noticed on all three breastfeeding journeys.
- In my opinion, the biggest point of pumping in the first 12 weeks of baby’s life is to help empty the breasts. Of course, for many a huge bonus to pumping while on leave and when returning to work is to have milk for baby when you’re away. By pumping after the baby has already nursed, you’re telling your body to keep producing so it doesn’t slack off. Establishing a good supply in the first 12 weeks will hopefully set you up for success when returning to work or spending more time away from baby during feeding times.
- Everyone is different, has different schedules, etc. but anytime you can find 10-15 minutes (especially in the very beginning or while on maternity leave) to pump, you should. If you feel your supply is solid, you can even wait till baby is napping to pump. Your body works on demand and supply so it will create more as the demand is there. I recommend pumping 5-15 minutes after each feeding, especially in the morning when you’re the most “full” and definitely in the evening and during the night to empty your breasts as baby may be sleepy.
- Haakaa - this little contraption is amazing. Attach it to the side your not nursing on and it will catch milk during let down- you can catch and save anywhere from 1-4 ounces some feedings! I wouldn’t solely rely on the Haakaa because it won’t help you to empty your breasts.
- Start as soon as you get home from the hospital unless you have to stay in the hospital, then use their pumps to start!
- Use nipple cream inside your pump parts!! Life saving tip, for sure.
- Washing pump parts is a pain. Between pump sessions, keep them in a ziplock in the fridge to prevent bacteria growth and so you’re not constantly washing. Wash every few sessions.
- Use bottles to store milk in the fridge for a few days then take 15 minutes and put it into storage bags for the freezer. Make sure you deep freeze milk after a month. I usually move the milk from my freezer to our deep freeze at the end of the month to make the first in, first out method easier.
Supplements and Tips
- I swear by Juice Plus. I mean just look at the pictures. It is what inspired me to post this because so many people were asking. Let me know if you want more information on Juice Plus - it is basically a fruit and veggie supplement since, Lord knows, we don’t eat the proper portions.
- Feed your body. Don’t focus on losing weight. You are feeding your baby and burning an extra 500+ calories a day by nursing. The weight took 9 months to gain and may take another 9+ months to lose - don’t breastfeed solely to lose weight.
- Any vitamins are beneficial and probiotics are so key! If you don’t like to take probiotics, then please consider them for baby - I talk more about them and the brand I use in my reflux post.
- Fenugreek - for some this works and some it doesn’t. For me, it works. But it isn’t something you have to take forever, just in the beginning and once you’re established, it should be fine. Remember, you’re not trying to make as much breastmilk as possible... you’re just feeding your baby/babies. Remember 24-30 ounces in 24 hours and you only need to save for when you can’t feed them at the breast.
- Cookies - boobie bites, oatmeal for breakfast, lactation cookies, etc - all are super helpful but again, like Fenugreek, may or may not help some. My go-to is oatmeal for breakfast and making boobie bites because they don’t require cooking. They basically just give you the extra calories and energy you need to nurse. Brewers yeast is full of B vitamins and also supports lactation.
- Blue Gatorade - jury is still out on this one but I think it's about the extra calories, maybe.
- I know that babywise is often viewed as a “cry it out” resource only but it is so much more than that. It has been my biggest resource when nursing. I highly recommend it for sleep training and feeding success.
- DRINK TONS OF WATER! Figure 6-8 ounces each time you nurse plus keep water with you throughout the day. Breastmilk is, after all, mostly water.
The fact of the matter, sweet mama, is you can do all of these things and unfortunately it might not help. I know that sometimes there aren’t enough milk ducts or the baby just flat out refuses to nurse and only wants the bottle. Breastfeeding is sacrificial. It requires time and patience and care. I mean, think of all these tips - they all involve knowing your body, your baby’s nursing style and a LOT of time investment. My biggest piece of advice is to surround yourself with people who encourage and support your choice to breastfeed, talk to your husband and set goals for yourself and your baby, and practice giving yourself all the grace, no matter what happens. Remember, how amazing you are and realize, all kids end up eating dirt and picking their nose at some point. Do what you can. Be confident in your decisions. Remember: #FedIsBest
