My son is 18 months old, and we are still breastfeeding, although it has dropped down to only about 2-3 real feedings per day. When he latches on though, it really seems like he's sucking too hard, like he's not getting much out, and it hurts! I am able to express milk when I pinch my nipple, so I know there's at least a little bit there, but man, it really hurts lately when he nurses. Could this be the end? There is also a tiny chance that I may be pregnant, but it is too early to take a test. Could this be related?
Soreness while nursing can definitely be a very early pregnancy sign. It can also hit when your period is about to arrive. It can definitely be related to hormonal shifts!
I stopped nursing a few months before I got pregnant but my supply didn't stop until I got pregnant, but then the pregnancy definitely ended my milk production.
It's not necessarily the end, but yes, pregnancy could definitely cause that kind of nipple pain. It's possible for him to continue nursing during pregancy if you can tolerate the pain, but only if you are not at risk of preterm labor. Another possibility if it is not pregnancy is a yeast infection, which could be passed between you and your son as well as your partner. If it is neither of these conditions, then it could be related to "forgetting" how to nurse...remember, as a toddler, he is busy learning so many new things that he may periodically "forget" how to latch on correctly, especially if he is like my son was at that age, nursing on the run so he can quickly get back to whatever it was he was doing at the time and needed a quick break. A lactation consultant or LLL leader could help with this. Good luck!
yes, if you are pregnant you could be experiencing nipple pain.
You should hear him swallowing if he is getting any milk. When I got pregnant, my milk supply quit.....that may be the case with you as well.....
He has a very strong and efficient latch. You may start teaching him "GENTLE", along with the standard "WAIT" and "NO PULLING UP SHIRT IN PUBLIC" manners.
I'm pretty sure your supply is fine, your son is just efficient and is in a hurry to get what he needs so he can go back out and play.
