When did you start to enjoy breastfeeding?

[Anonymous]

For those that enjoyed breastfeeding, when did that start? My son is 2 weeks old and I am exclusively breastfeeding. I've met with two lactation consultants that both confirmed that I have a good latch but must have extra sensitive nipples (?) because latching on is painful and nursing in general is uncomfortable for me. Was this the case for anyone else? Were you eventually able to enjoy or at least tolerate breastfeeding your child? When did that happen?

[Anonymous]

I would say things got much better around 4 weeks. By 4 months it was totally fine. I think the newborn stage is just really hard because your body has been through so much trauma. I also have a theory that all the hormones post-birth make your nipples more sensitive (although I have no medical evidence to back that up!

[Anonymous]

I'm 7 weeks in and it is finally getting easier.

[Anonymous]

With both babies, the pain took about a month to go away. I thought the second time around my nipples would have toughened up, but it hurt even more than I remembered. By the 5-6th week things fell into a pretty decent groove and by 2 months it would have been harder to make bottles than just whip out a breast anytime 2 weeks is still a very hard period, my milk had just come in by the second week, and the baby was still learning. I cried often out of frustration that it was so hard. If you are able to hang in there, I think there is a great chance things will get much, much easier. It does hurt a lot in the beginning, at least it did for me.

[Anonymous]

Around 4 weeks. Smooth sailing then!

[Anonymous]

I never enjoyed it. It was always a hassle. It didn't hurt though. Only sometimes with a too tight latch. Maybe I should have tried longer but 8 months was enough and I have no interest in bf a toddler.

[Anonymous]

Never! I nursed both kids for 3 months and it sucked every minute as far as I was concerned. (sorry, don't mean to scare you.... just more providing some empathy...)

Okay, well.... maybe after about 5 or 6 weeks, it was significantly less painful. And, I also saw a LC who said the latch was fine and the pain was just regular soreness. But, even after that initial pain went away, I found that I was still sore on and off sometimes.

[Anonymous]

It got easier around week 5. You are alomst there. Keep going! You won't regret it!

[Anonymous]

By 4-6 weeks it was much much easier and I really started to enjoy the bonding experience.

[Anonymous]

Took me a good 16 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Much better around 4 weeks with #1 (no more lanolin, cracks, or bruising from then on).

With #2, much better by 2-3 weeks. I was surprised, like pp, that somehow my nipples weren't magically tougher from the year of BFing #1. BTW, dc2 is 4 months and his evening feed when I get home from work is an absolute joy. I look forward to our time together all day.

[Anonymous]

With #1 the pain didn't get better and I wound up using a nipple shield the whole time. Nursed for about 5 1/2 months. I never particularly enjoyed it.

With #2, the pain started to ease up pretty quickly but I got ill and my supply dropped and I wound up only nursing about 4 months.

Even if all things had gone magically smoothly, I can't say I ever would have really enjoyed breastfeeding. Just not my thing. But I did the best I could.

[Anonymous]

6 weeks. It never hurt and was never hard but damn my nipples were sensitive. I couldn't even hug my toddler without wanting to die. Also, mastitis. Twice!

[Anonymous]

Those first few weeks are rough. I remember that EVERYTHING hurt. I think things got easier by week 3 for me, in large part, due to the amazing LC at Capitol Medical Group. She gave me some nipple cream that was magical, and she was so supportive and informative . . . .
My DS is 4 months and although he takes a bottle during the day at day care, I love to BF him after work. The protected bonding/cuddle time is the best. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed it as much as making a grilled sandwich 3 to 10 times a day.