Breastfeeding has been the most challenging endeavor I have ever taken on. Without support, I would not have continued. I knew it was a skill that may not come naturally to the mother and the baby, however, I did not expect it to be so painful and difficult for so long. A month may not seem like a long time but when you’re breastfeeding every two hours, it feels like a lifetime.
I envisioned it coming easily to me since my pregnancy was a walk in the park. I saw myself as a super mom, powering through working from home at 4 weeks with my baby attached to me, happily suckling away as I’m whistling while I work.
That is not AT ALL what happened.
Thinking about going back to work made me depressed. Sometimes I was in tears from how painful breastfeeding felt. I read a mother’s comment on social media who described breastfeeding for her as butterfly kisses. For me, it felt like being stung by a bee over and over and left a dull ache.
IT DID GET BETTER, MUCH BETTER.
A huge reason why mothers stop breastfeeding is they do not have the support to continue. If I didn’t have my own mom put such an emphasis on how important it was to her, I wouldn’t have continued for as long as I did.
Here are several tips that eased my pain and made breastfeeding bearable.
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BREASTMILK
Besides being absolutely amazing because the female body produces its own milk, our milk carries healing properties. After you’re finished a feeding session, rub a little bit of your milk on your nipples. Let dry and then top it off with the nipple cream of your choice.
NIPPLE CREAM
I used Medela’s Lanolin Nipple Cream, which was a must in my breastfeeding self-care. I used this consistently after every feeding session, combined with my breastmilk and warm salt water soaks. My cracked and torn nipple healed quickly after our daughter practically sucked the tip of it off.
NIPPLE SHIELDS
There are a lot of mixed reviews on nipple shields but they completely changed the game for me. I don’t think I would have been able to continue breastfeeding if it weren’t for having this thin protective layer between my raw nipples and my insatiable daughter.
When the right one was cracked and bleeding, I used the Medela nipple shields because I still needed to breastfeed on that side so my supply wouldn’t decrease. The nipple shields also made breastfeeding 100x less painful.
Our daughter still breastfed like they weren’t even there and after two weeks, I didn’t need them at all. I wish I would have bought them sooner. I always produced less milk in my right breast because, before the nipple shields arrived, I only let our daughter breastfeed on that side when I felt engorged and it was necessary.
WARM WATER & SALT
This one is for cracked nipples. After breastfeeding, I’d get two soup mugs or coffee mugs and soak my nipples in warm salt water.
I looked soooo sexy. You’re going to feel ridiculous, but you’ll thank me later.
I used a 1/2 teaspoon of regular ole iodized salt in each cup. Not only does the warm salt water soothe your sore nipples but it also promotes healing.
** Take care when using Epsom salt for cracked nipples. It could worsen your situation and be painful. Epsom salt is commonly used for clogged milk ducts, not damaged nipples!
YOUR BABY
If you are experiencing clogged milk ducts, nurse your little one on that breast first. This is when their sucking is the strongest because they’re hungry. Breastfeed frequently. As often as every 2 hours and starting on the side with the clogged milk duct. This should clear it up.
As you breastfeed, knead the clogged duct. You can also try leaning over, your breasts parallel to the floor, with your baby securely in your arms. It may take a few times but gravity and your baby should clear the clogged duct.
I tried pumping using this method, but the suction wasn’t strong enough.
If this method doesn’t work after two days, call your doctor. This could turn into an infection called mastitis, which from what I hear is extremely painful.
Don’t freak out. Just be proactive.
Let me know if any of these methods worked for you or please share any tips you used!