When breastfeeding hurts

Breastfeeding should not hurt

Breastfeeding should not hurt. Period. If breastfeeding hurts, it is your body's way of alerting you that something is wrong. There are several things that can play a role. For example, the baby's latch technique, the breastfeeding position, and possibly the baby's tongue, lips, jaw band, or neck if the birth was quick, occurred with forceps, or was by cesarean section - in that case, I recommend that the baby be checked by a skilled osteopath. If you hear anyone ask when breastfeeding stops hurting, the message is that it should never hurt at all! 

It is simply a myth that breastfeeding hurts. And likewise, it is a myth that the nipples need to be toughened up. We women are created to breastfeed, and babies are created to nurse. From there, it is learning by doing. And remember that in the vast majority of cases, practice makes perfect - both for mom and baby AND that it can easily take a month or more to establish effective breastfeeding. 

If this is the first time you are breastfeeding, it is a completely new bodily experience when the baby forms a correct vacuum around your nipple. It can feel super intense and …. like when a milking cow has a milking machine attached. Of course, I don't know how that feels myself, but most women understand and can relate to the description. So there is a difference between the experience of an intense vacuum, where you may have to count slowly to 10 before the intensity subsides, and it actually hurting regularly. 

If it hurts when you put your child to, put your little finger in the corner of the baby's mouth and break the vacuum, and start over with putting the baby to. Remember this important basic knowledge regarding breastfeeding positions and the baby's placement: 

Sitting breastfeeding positions

• In sitting breastfeeding positions, it is important that you as a woman have your feet flat on the floor and good back support. The better you sit, the more relaxed you are, and the easier it is for the baby to get a correct hold on the breast
• Feel free to take a minute or 2 to get properly settled - even if the baby cries. Talk to the baby while you do this: “I hear you, I am getting settled, and then you will get the breast”
• It is central that the baby comes up to the breast and not the other way around. There is a big difference in the size and length of breasts. Some women benefit from a nursing pillow as support under the baby. Others need a couple of large sofa cushions or a folded blanket to help get the baby up to the breast. 
• Regardless of the breastfeeding position, the baby must lie with their tummy against your body when the baby nurses. And with their arms on each side of the breast. If the baby lies with one of their arms in front of them or lies slightly sideways against you, the baby will easily pull on your nipple, which can cause tears or wounds and thus cause pain
• The baby should be placed with their nose in line with the nipple. This way, the baby is forced to tilt their head back to get hold of the nipple. This allows the baby to open wide and get a lot of the breast in their mouth (not just the nipple), which is important to avoid sucking too shallowly and thus causing tears or wounds in the nipple
• The baby's chin should touch the breast for the same reason as above 
• As a breastfeeding woman, it can be difficult to see if the baby has a proper hold. It can therefore be tempting to press into the breast with a couple of fingers to see better. Some also feel like pressing into the breast because they are afraid that the baby cannot breathe. You should not press into the breast. If the baby cannot breathe, the baby will let go of the breast. When you press into the breast, you block the milk ducts, AND you may pull on the nipple, which can cause wounds and tears 
• Ask your partner to take a look and help the baby and you lie/sit well and nurse correctly. If you are a solo mom, a mirror can be a help to see better until breastfeeding is well established

Lying breastfeeding positions

Here too, the baby must lie with their tummy against your body, have their arms on each side of the breast, and be placed with their nose in line with the nipple. It can be smart to put a pillow or something else behind the baby's back, so the baby does not turn their body during the process and thus pull on the nipple, which can cause tears or wounds. It is important that you do not have anything behind the baby's head. He/she must be able to move their head freely

If your breastfeeding hurts, then it is not a matter of toughing it out, but of reacting and possibly seeking qualified breastfeeding help. It is not about how long it hurts, but why it hurts. Often, incorrect latch technique or breastfeeding position can be remedied in a single visit from an expert breastfeeding-trained helper. 

I wish you a pain-free and good breastfeeding period. Know that I am rooting for you!