When Does the Nipple Pain from Breast Feeding Go Away?

A few weeks. I'd say by 4 weeks. My baby is 9 weeks, and its been long enough I don't recall. I do know its a few weeks.

I had significant nipple pain with all my kids due to having inverted nipples. It took a couple of months for that initial latching on pain to improve.

However, I understand that women with normal nipples, the latch on pain decreases in a few weeks. Lucky you!

Oooooh I feel for you.

I had nipple pain with all 3 of my kids. But they are now 13,10 and 6. I believe it lasted for an excruciating 3-4 weeks. I used Lansinoh(spelling??) on my nipples multiple times daily..also after a feeding I would express a little milk and rub it into the nipple and let it dry.

Keep it up sweetie...I really..really feel your pain.

I just kept reminding myself that the pain would ease soon, this was free food, ready made with no prep work...and the bonding that takes place is priceless.

Congrats on baby #2. I know it is a painful and exhausting time..but such a sweet time also.

Good luck and best wishes!

C-sections moms typically have a much harder time nursing. Here are some tips:

1. Take whatever pain medication they give you for the c-section. Take it as prescribed and do not attempt to be a martyr so that the drugs don't get to your baby. Your milk will not come in as well if you are in too much pain so you and baby are better off if you take the medication. Plus, it helps with nipple pain:)

2. If baby wiggles or kicks and this makes your incision area hurt, get a My Breast Friend device. This is NOT the same as a Boppy and IMO a Boppy is useless for c-section moms. This device is plastic and rigid so it protects the scar area and helps you support baby in proper position.

3. If you have trouble with positions, try the football hold. It is not as popular but many c-section moms find it much easier initially. If someone had taught me this with my first baby we may have had a successful nursing relationship. Alas, I didn't learn it until my 2nd baby.

4. Have a LLC come and check on your latch. C-section moms are more likely to have trouble with latch because of having trouble finding a comfortable position to nurse. They are worth their weight in gold!! Even if you nursed before, each nursing relationship is different because your nursing "partner" (aka baby) is different.

5. If your OB doesn't want to give you pain medication because you are nursing, find another one that will give you pain medications!!

Let me know if you have any questions. Also, if you need it, find your local ICAN chapter to help with processing your birth. Congratulations on your new baby! C.

3.

I seem to remember it was the first 3 ish weeks.
I used lanolish on mine it helped a lot.

I don't quite remember, but rub the breast milk on your nipples then let them air dry a bit, then smear on lansinoh (it doesn't need wiped off before feeding) you should be feeling better soon.

I used Lansinoh Lanolin cream before and after every feeding for the first few days and that really helped. It also could be how the baby is latching. Check with a lactation consultant if it continues to be painful. Congrats and good luck!

I think it was a few weeks, but it was kind of a blur. Remember you can take a small amount of Tylenol (my LC said I didn't need to be a martyr) and make sure you don't have a bad latch, tongue tie, or infection to deal with on top of it. Yay, lanolin! And if you can get Lanisoh Ultra Soft nursing pads (sometimes you have to order them online) they are fantastic.

I had c-sections for both my kids and breastfed both of them until almost 2 years old. I used a boppy with both and I think I did use the football hold quite a bit. The nipple pain on my second lasted almost 6 weeks until I finally got some help with it. A friend mentioned to me her problem with her second was that she started out nursing like she was nursing her experienced 2 year old instead of an infant. So if the pain lasts more than a couple weeks don't hesitate to go see a lactation consultant - I wish I'd seen one so much sooner. All it took was a couple of position adjustments and things were so much better. I was kicking myself that I hadn't taken care of it sooner!

Too long!!!!!!!!! Mine was about 3 weeks :( I feel your pain right now, the only thing that would get me thru it, except of course doing it for the baby, was pretending that everytime I breastfeed and looked at my boob there was a tattoo of a dollar sign. :)

If you have pain for a long time, it may be due to poor latching. Even if baby latches on and eat, I'll break suction and start again. I know sometimes I get desperate and not care so long as baby sticks but the fourth child I did that and I had horrible pains for a long time. I breast fed her the shortest because of it. Thinking back, it was my fault for not forcing her to do it right. Maybe an avenue to explore?

Oh, and air dry and don't wipe your nipples all the time thinking you are keeping them clean for baby. You actually can wipe essential natural oils and will crack... that too was from experience. =(

I remember two weeks for everything to toughen up and by 4 weeks we were pros.
Good luck!

Mom:

If you have pain while breast feeding, the baby is not latched on properly.

CONGRATULATIONS on your second baby!!! YAHOO!!!

While you are recuperating in the hospital ask for a nursing/breast feeding consultant - even your pediatrician should have one on staff - and get the baby latched on properly!

Congratulations and good luck!

Unfortunately, I had intense pain for about 7 months. It was first due an inability to latch properly, and then I got mastitis, and nothing would clear it up...why I kept going, I don't know, but I was in heaven when the infection finally went away and nursing no longer hurt.

I think, for most people, a few weeks should do it! ;)

Ohhh.. That toe curling pain went away at about 2 weeks for me but it lessened everyday.
Congratulations!!!

With my second it was about 4 weeks that I noticed it not hurting anymore. Sorry I hope you start feeling better soon :)

2-4 weeks. Congratulations!!

Updated

2-4 weeks. Congratulations!!

It was around the six week mark for all three of my babies. As someone mentioned, I would use lansinoh a lot, or mother love nipple cream. I'd let my nipples air dry when possible. Mine get so painful that I can't wear a bra for those first six weeks. Also, I would use labor breathing, and even rescue remedy spray on my tongue before latching the baby. I'd also try to distract myself with tv or conversation. And oh yeah, before i forget, i also sometimes used soothies gel pads--loved the cooling effect. As for a nipple shield, i used one for baby #2--it was thw only way she would nurse. With baby #3, a nipple shield shredded my nipple, for some reason. i think it was because he had an extra hard suck, idk. Good luck to you and congrats!

I am not a doctor.
What I do:
get enough rest. (well, I try to. this IS my second baby ; )
get enough GOOD food (nothing processed) especially GREENS. If you don't like them, blend them into a smoothie.
get enough fat. Clean fat - organic as much as possible. It makes your milk more satisfying and gives you more time between nursings - to heal and to make more milk.
use a nipple shield if you have to during the first 5 minutes of nursing. It will help. Just don't use it forever. ; ) Silicone, not plastic. worth the extra $.

get enough CORRECT exercise. judicious bending over - when you are comfortable. very light lyoga if you did yoga before.
get enough water - filtered and as additive free as you can.

ditch the sugar. it will mess up your everything you want for your kids - it will also keep the weight on. nursing takes it off (usually) (when you eat sensible amounts of meat and veggies and not too much grain and zero sugar! ; )
ditch the artificial anything. No need for this.

If you are diabetic - talk to your doctor - look into things that you need to do to be sane and do sane and live sane - but healthy. Don't let them give you the run around about carbs. Many of my friends have ditched most/all grains in favor of veggies and meats, few if any fruits.

this is a good start!
Good luck,
M.