Help for sore nipples.

Breastfeeding should be enjoyable for you and your baby! If either one of you is not having a good time, something is not right. As a new mom, you have instincts to guide you. Your baby has instincts and very strong reflexes to guide him. But neither one of you has ever done this before and, most likely, you have never seen a baby breastfeeding. It’s likely you will need some help.

Contact a lactation consultant immediately if you experience any of the following:

1. Any nipple pain in the first 24 hours after birth. Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt—ever! Listen to your body. It’s telling you that something is very wrong!
2. Bleeding, cracked or bruised nipples that are not feeling and looking better every day.
3. Inadequate weight gain or inadequate wet/dirty diapers at any time.
4. Baby cannot latch on to the breast or seems to latch on but “falls off” after a short time.
5. You have difficulty getting the baby to “latch.”
6. Baby is at the breast for long periods of times (over 45 minutes of continuous nursing) after day 2 or wants to go to the breast very frequently (every hour or less).
7. Baby does not seemed satisfied after feedings.
8. Baby stays on the breast for a very short period of time (less than 5 minutes) or is not interested in feeding at least every 3 hours.
9. Redness, pain or severe swelling in the breast.
10. You have twins or more.

If you are in need of a lactation consultant,  please don’t wait!  I am here to help.  I can usually consult with clients within 24 hours and often the same day as the initial request.