How I managed to overcome painful breastfeeding

I gave birth to my second child a few months ago and for the fist weeks I really struggled with painful breastfeeding. My nipples were sore and crackled, my breasts were engorged and as much as I wanted to live these beautiful connected moments with my baby, I was afraid every time feeding time arrived. I breastfed my first child for 9 months and I really wanted to be able to get to that goal with my second baby.

This is why I gathered up my courage and gave myself every chances to overcome this difficult period.

Here is what I tried and what worked for me:

First, to help with the engorgement, I found out that hot showers not only got my breasts to feel less tender, but also allowed me to relax. After the shower, I would let my breasts to air dry to help with the healing. In the first few weeks, your baby may not be able to drink a quantity that allows your breasts to feel less tense. That was the case for me and when that happened, pumping the milk really helped to ease the pain. I used the Medela electric breast pump and I found it was really comfortable and easy to use. As I didn't want to give a bottle to my baby at that moment, I freezed the pumped milk thinking it could be of use one day.

Then for the sore nipples, I was advised by a midwife to use nipple shield and silver cups.

I bought those nipple shields but I found that my baby was not feeding as well with these, causing her to feed more frequently, and that didn't help the healing. However what really helped were these silver cups. You put them on your nipples inside your nursing bra for no more than a couple of hours between feed and will have two benfits:

• The shape of the cup will protect your nipples

• The silver material has healing properties

On top of that, I went to see a lactation consultant that gave me some advices on how my baby should be latching. The advice that helped me the most was the following:

Put your baby's nose on your nipple, wait for her to open her mouth big and then push her head toward the nipple. The hole nipple and areola should be in the baby's mouth.

Also, she advised me to change the breastfeeding position form one feeding to another so that the pressure is not always on the same points. I alternated between the cradle hold and the side-lying position.

Finally, to help the cracks heel, I used a product that really helped from the brand lansinoh. I already knew that brand because I used their lanoline nipple cream after each feed for my first baby. However, even though this helped to prevent cracks, I found that their nipple balm is better at healing.

I hope these advices will help you get through the first weeks of breastfeeding and remember, even though it is difficult today, nothing lasts forever! Soon this will only be a bad memory and you will enjoy bonding breastfeeding moments with your baby!