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pumping so much..now in pain
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Anonymous
| I am now pumping more than nursing because my girls aren't good nursers. However, I am now experiences such pain with it and I am sensitive all day. Sorry for TMI. Is there anything I can do? I have that Lansinoh cream but I do'nt think it will help w/ the sensitivity. Thanks. |
Anonymous
| Are you sure your breastshields fit? Mine were too small, so the nipples rubbed against the sides and became raw. I had to go up to 2 sizes and now pumping no longer hurts. |
Anonymous
| I second the PP's answer. that happened to me too. Another thing I did wrong in the beginning was to turn the pump up too high. it should tug but not hurt if done right. I loved the Playtex version i borrowed. I thought it was much better than even the Medela hospital grade (rented one for a week) since you don't have to worry about sizing with the Playtex version but this is a huge issue with Medela pumps. |
Anonymous
| I had a woman from the breastfeeding center check to see if the size was ok and she gave me larger ones.. however, I have been turning up the pump to the highest level, each time. Maybe I will stop doing that. Thanks! I hope it makes a difference. |
Anonymous
You can probably turn it to a lower setting first, then turn it on higher once your body gets used to the initial lower pressure. |
Anonymous
| and if you're using a medela pump, try the flexible shields - they are much easier on the boobs! |
Anonymous
|
To revive this thread, I'm a new pumper and having pain in the nipples too - I'm pretty sure the shield size is too small. I have the Medela freestyle pump which came with the "soft shields" which are apparently 24 cm.
If you go to the breastfeeding center for help, do you have to have an appt with one of the consultants or can one of the store saleswomen help? Or can I just buy a size or two up (and order online so I don't have to fool with getting out?). |
Anonymous
| I went to the LCs associated with Holy Cross so i'm not sure about the breastfeeding ctr downtown, but i would say make sure to have them measure you. I was WAAAYY bigger than I would have thought. I suggest you do this ASAP since (as I found out the hard way), you can really hurt yourself by using the wrong size for too long and at too strong a setting. |
Anonymous
| Definitely get advice from an LC on sizing. I was in the same situation with intense pain from constant pumping for a reluctant nurser, and I went up a size and then up another size trying to alleviate the pain. Turns out my nipples were expanding to take up whatever space was available and I was hurting myself even more by using a larger size. In addition to getting me back to a smaller size shield, the LC also helped me improve my baby's latch and recommended Dr. Jack Newman's nipple ointment. I don't know which of these things made the most difference, but within a week I was nursing and pumping pain-free. |
Anonymous
| I also had trouble when just wearing my nursing bras & clothes, the boobs were so sore. I wore those nipple shells (I'm not sure that's the name) under my clothes. You feel kinda silly, b/c it makes you look like madonna circa 1990, but they basically keep your clothes from rubbing on your nipples when they are so sore. I'd put the cream on, and then wear the shells for a couple of hours, and that seemed to help with the sensitivity too. |
Anonymous
| I had a friend who BF 3 kids back to back recommend Olive Oil for sore nipples. I have yet to try it as baby isn't born yet but she swears by it! |
Anonymous
| I was given these round gel or silicone pads for my nipples. You can put them in the refrigerator and they really helped until I got used to things. |
Anonymous
| Putting olive oil on the flanges (recommended by the LC) made a world of difference for me too -- along with getting the right size. |
Anonymous
| Try adjusting the suction and cycles. Your breasts/nipples should not be "pulled" too forcefully, just gently tugged. |
Anonymous
| bump |