Can we pls talk about breastfeeding?

Try a nipple shield! You can find it at Walmart. It will help baby latch better if your nipple is somewhat inverted. I used for a few days when I first had my baby to work on his latch and then eventually he latched perfectly without! Also nipple butter is your friend or even coconut oil. It gets better after the first month. It’s so painful at first. 😢

First things first remember to breathe! I had the same situation with my newborn. She wasn’t able to latch well which bruised my nipple & made it sore. I just kept trying & trying still nothing so I asked other mamas on here for help & advice they told me that sadly I had to keep trying to get her latch and even if it hurts just keep trying. You’re doing everything okay. Have you tried cradle hold? Cross-cradle hold? Side lying position? Football hold? And laid - back breast feeding? Idk if this is a bad thing but when my newborn she’s a week old now today. But when she cries I just try to find an opening of her mouth and put her into my boob because she some how won’t open her mouth wide enough when I put my boob to her nose down to her chin. She refuses so that’s the way I find to do my latching. It’s getting better now but my boobs are very sore & bleeding but I just numb the pain sadly. Does he cry because when he latches to your boob he’s not getting milk? Hope this helps?

My baby is also 3 days old and I too have inverted nipples. She was eager to latch but I still struggle sometimes because she will spit my nip out if it’s not prepared or the latch will be too shallow and hurt me. Something the lactitions showed me at the hospital was to pull out on the corners of her mouth a little or down on her chin to widen her latch. It helps alot when you finally get them to latch but it’s too painful but you’re afraid if you take them off they won’t latch again. I would also try a nipple inverter( little suction cup) and call the hospital and see if you can meet with the lactation specialists to help. Don’t get too discouraged! I know that’s easier said than done but I. My couple of days doing it I’ve learned it’s a lot of trial and error.

Find a lactation consultant (IBLC) near you!

It hurt me for the first few days even with a good latch. So things may be working even if you think they aren't. Definitely make an appointment with a lactation consultant. They can do a weighted feed to make sure that baby is getting milk

Yes I’m breastfeeding my 4 week old. I’m not sure if this is going to help at all but try bringing your nipple up by pinching slightly or hamburger/sandwich it and scoop into baby’s mouth but bring mouth to nipple, and you could try to adjust the latch by pulling his lips making them like fish lips, outward. My baby cries too and my nipples are inverted too. Anytime you’re at your hospital for check ups or whatever ask for a lactation consultant or a nurse to help you, or schedule an appointment so that they could help, also WIC has a breastfeeding hotline, support group, and classes!

Lactation consultants are often free and no two are the same so try meeting with different ones until you find one that can help you. The biggest things to remember is a DEEP latch, belly to belly, and baby will need time to learn how to do this. Everything is so hard and tiring at this age for them... it's an adjustment. Be patient and consistent. It will get easier. As far as helping your sore nipple... coconut oil, Epsom salt bath, hydrogel pads. Those will do wonders. Make sure you also know about mastitis so if you start showing signs you can treat it early & continue your journey. Good luck momma! I recently had my 4th. I've successfully breastfed all of them, and all of them have had a hard newborn breastfeeding transition. It gets easier. My youngest is 3 weeks now and it's a world of difference from 2 weeks ago. Feel free to message me.

Try a nipple shield I was literally struggling so much I saw super engorged and I went to a lactation consultant and she gave me nipple shields and baby has been latching so much better and he actually feeds the necessary time on each breast. Super easy to use and I wash it after every use I was told you can sterilize it in boiling water if you see fit definitely try it mama 💕

I’m so sorry you’re having a difficult time, it is hardest in the beginning. You have a lot of the basics down it sounds like, be easy on yourself it’s a skill that takes a while to learn. If you are able to, keep trying different ways to see what positions works for you and your baby — and those might change on any given day. You’re doing great! 👍

I have kinda flat nipples so the first few weeks breastfeeding my kiddos is always a STRUGGLE until my nipples basically are nerve deadened and used to the feedings 😅 particularly the first week is extremely rough, I second the nipple shield suggestion though, just make sure you get the right size. I also pumped my milk out periodically to bottle feed to get my boobs a break if they were like blistered and extremely painful. Just want to say you’re doing amazing and if it’s something you have your heart set on then stick with it! You can definitely overcome the challenges, I breastfed my first two for a year each even though it was so hard in the beginning. Now with my third I’m 2 weeks PP today and I’m finally just starting to get my groove and have painless feeds

@Victoria yes! This!!