Hello,
I have read in many books that when milk is refilling into the breast, after a nursing or pumping session, that some women experience pain or a pins and needles sensation. I have also been having pain, and told that the pain is not due to an infection or anything medically wrong. Have you heard of other women complaining of pain or a "burning" when their milk is re-filling or letting down? And how long will this pain last - weeks, months, longer?
It is hard to find a clear-cut answer and am very tired of the pain.
thank you!
Thank you so much to everyone who has responded with their life experiences and advice. I met with a lactation consultant is who is helping to treat me for Thrush as well as a nipple vasospasm. Both together make sense. So I hope and pray now that the treatment works and I will feel better soon. Breastfeeding is tough, especially with severe, unexplained pain, so I appreciate all of the support!
I still get let down pain and my baby is 7 months. Its waaaay less and less often then at first but it was bad at first. Like if she was eating one side the other would ache so bad. Its different for everyone but I still get it.
Most women feel their letdown, especially at the beginning, but I haven't heard of pain while "refilling" unless there is over-filling and engorgement. You didn't say how old your baby is. Have you tried taking Tylonal?
Feel free to PM me if you want to talk it over more. Also, you should contact your local La Leche League leader or go to a meeting and ask their opinion.
Well, I remember maybe the 1st week post-birth a general maybe full/achy feeling as the milk reeeaallly started to come in. And I could sense my breast refilling (especially after a really long feeding) and I could definitely feel let down - None of this was painful or even uncomfortable. I guess I might describe it with words like "tingling" or "tightening". I think you should call the La Leche League or the lactation consultant connected to your place of delivery.
I've been nursing my 6 week old and I was just thinking to myself "wow, my boobs don't hurt anymore." lol. I've had constant pain, one type or another, up until this point though. Hang in there, mama!!
I exclusively breastfeed my 3 month old, and I do experience some pain when she starts nursing and my milk comes down. It happens everytime, and it is uncomfortable but not unbearable. If does feel as you described it, kind of like pins and needles. It doesn't seem to be quite as bad now as it was a month or so ago, so maybe it's going to stop, but I don't know. Just another one of the sacrifices we make to do what's best for our kids!
I have nursed both my kids and the only pains I've experienced is when the baby is nursing for the first few weeks, and when my breast got engorged! I would talk to your lactation specialist at the hospital! Are you sure you're not engorged? Apply a warm towel on your breast after you're done nursing or pumping and see if it's going to help!
Yes, pain is normal, depending on your milk supply the pain will be sublte or very uncomfortable. Keep nursing, it's THE BEST thing you can do for your child.
Mine was more like a tingling sensation. Not necessarily painful, but I could definitely feel it. It's the strongest when you first start nursing, but as you go on it definitely lessens. I nursed for two years...how long have you been nursing? I think if you're just in the beginning stages (first few weeks/months) it's going to be stronger.
I am currently nursing (my first time) about 10 weeks now. I get unique sensations that started as pins and needles, but has transitioned to a soarness. It happens during nursing "and" when I'm not nursing. I believe everyone can be different (tho I worry something could be wrong), if it's that painful for you maybe you should think of alternatives? Pain is stressful and you and baby don't need extra stress. I assume you got adviced from your doctor that it's not an infection. You can consult the lactation specialists. They will even make a home visit (they may have special tricks) like La Leche Leauge; WIC; 5Alive; most hospitals, all have specialists to consult. Sounds to me like something could be wrong although maybe just some advil could help? I figure all the sensations last through the long hall and we just learn to pain manage like our periods....but I'm only the expert about me!
I got a tingling with all of mine...and it lasted pretty much until I weened...It did kind of lessen towards the end...possibly because there was less milk coming in? With my last two...I got brief anxiety attacks 30 seconds before my milk let down. Seriously freaked me out until I connected it. Without fail...until I weened! Pretty weird :) Hopefully it eases up for you! I had a hard time the first few weeks nursing my daughter...my mom really encouraged me to keep it up...glad I did :)
With both my kids, I've only had letdown *during* nursing -- about 3-4 sucks into the feeding. It felt like cooling & tingling, as if I had put noxema or something inside my breast, but nowhere near pain. Could it be mastitis or a plugged duct? Hope it gets better soon, it sounds unpleasant!
I nursed both my babies for 1 year & never experienced pain. I did feel the let-down, but it was not painful. The only pain I had was when I had a clogged duct. Call the lactation consultant at your hospital...I used mine a couple times & they were always very willing to help. I'm honestly not sure if the pain is normal or not. Good luck!
T.
www.mydiaperbabycakes.com
I would often experience pain during let down, almost like someone was squeezing my breasts. This normally happened when I was "full" or if I missed a nursing or pumping - like in the morning if I got to sleep all night. I have not experienced this after nursing, however.
