I just read yet another post on another website that talked about sore, cracked, bleeding nipples being “normal” and it’s something that new moms just have to endure. Unfortunately cracked nipples are common, but they are not normal! Breastfeeding should NEVER be painful. Pain is a sign that something is not right. Listen to your body. If you have pain with breastfeeding, get help now!
It’s no surprise that there are dozens of “cures” out there for sore nipples. In my lactation practice, nipple pain is the most common reason that mothers seek help. The only real way to “cure” sore nipples, however, is to fix the underlying cause. It’s usually a faulty latch that causes the problem in the first place. Once the latch is corrected, nipples feel better. Usually the results are immediate.
Please avoid these commonly recommended but ineffective strategies for healing sore nipples: Continue reading
Breastfeeding is not suppossed to hurt. Ever! Think of all the mammals who nurse their babies. Are they grimacing? Are they trying to avoid breastfeeding because of the pain? Absolutely not. They look peaceful and relaxed. We are mammals too! Breastfeeding is a normal process that is meant to be enjoyable for mother and baby.
So, what are normal sensations when breastfeeding?
There should be no nipple tenderness at all in the first 24 hours. After that your nipples may feel slightly tender during the first few seconds of breastfeeding, but feel fine as the baby continues to nurse. What’s the difference between tenderness and pain? The tenderness is fleeting and mild. It doesn’t make you cry out or gasp. You look forward to breastfeeding. Your nipples look healthy. Continue reading
“I’m pregnant with my second child and planning to breastfeed. I had an extremely challenging experience with my daughter and ended up exclusively pumping for about 5 months. My confidence level is pretty low, so I’m planning for lactation support soon after my baby is born. I was wondering if you offer prenatal consultations.”
The best preparation for breastfeeding is simply making a firm decision. Research shows that women who commit to breastfeeding while pregnant are more likely to breastfeed than those who say they will “give it a try.”
You don’t need to do anything special to your breasts while you’re pregnant. Your body is preparing for your baby without a thought from you. Milk ducts are enlarging, colostrum is being created and your nipple area is becoming darker and more prominent.
Pregnancy is a good time to stop using soap on or near your nipples. It is believed that secretions from glands within the areola (montgomery glands) are constantly cleansing and conditioning the skin of that area. If you use soap on your nipples, you are losing the protection of this natural conditioner. Continue reading
I have noticed more of my clients are buying used breastpumps or borrowing pumps from friends or family. As the prices of high-quality breastpumps increase, resourceful moms try to find less expensive alternatives to new pumps that can cost as much as 400 dollars. Before you acquire a used pump, please consider the following.
Three hundred dollars is a lot of money, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of formula. Estimates range from $1000 to $4000 per year!
Breastfeeding moms who are separated from their babies for work or school depend on their pumps every day. Pumps do have warranties, typically lasting from 90 days to 1 year, but they usually are not transferable. So if you have a used pump, you have no warranty. In addition you have no idea how long a used pump will function. When it fails, you will need to buy or rent another pump. Continue reading