very painful latch on, helppppp

[wright1212]

I am having extreme pain when ds latches on my left side. Its so bad I have to dig my nails into a blanket and often cry it out. Once he is slow and steady its not so bad. It also feels very sorry just around the nipple area just sitting here- and awful if someone bumps into me.
I have been reading all morning and I am sure its not the latch on that hurts. BUT after hours of reading think I found a possible cause. Just want to know if anyone else has had this and found good recovery:

It seems to be because 1. its flat 2. I have scar tissue. This cause him to fight at latch on and suck harder to make it take the desired protruding shape and nice milk flow. So the pain is the tissue and muscles tearing and stretching to take the other shape. I read wearing shells just before feeding, a hot pad, and a quick pump just before feeding will help it to take shape so the baby latching on wont be so painful or forceful. Of course I assume it will take a few days for pain to subside- but has this worked for anyone??

[Lindsey73]

Sounds like you have an inverted nipple, where it doesnt poke out all the way. Nipple shields work well for that. I used one for a little bit, and didn't need one after we got the hang of breastfeeding. I'm not sure what you mean by scar tissue, if it's from something else or from being sore. The soreness does take a few days at least to go away, and nipple balm helps alot, use it after every feeding. I used gerber, because im allergic to lanolin. And your baby should latch on to the areola, not directly on the nipple. You want them to open wide, and put about an inch or so of breast tissue in their mouth. If he's just clamping on the nipple thats what is so painful. Sometimes even when they latch on properly, at least for me, it can be a little uncomfortable on the glands around the areola, but it shouldnt be painful. If it is thats a sure sign that he's not latching on correctly. You can also talk to a lactation consultant. If they didnt give you one at the hospital and you don't have WIC then you can go to La Leche League website and look up your state and county and call someone to talk to or look at the FAQ. Ive also seen many people posts things from kellymom.com

[Lindsey73]

Also, nipple shield puts a barrier that makes it so theres no pain. I used it when i was real sore even on both breasts just so i could heal or get a break. But it is a pain to get it lined up and to stay on.

[wright1212]

That one side is a little flat (not inverted=concave). I do try the shield, its still just as painful and he does better without it.
But just to add fuel to the fire I suddenly this afternoon got a whole new problem! Now under my arm is hurting just sitting here. I know that is the lympnod area and could be a sign of a real infection.
My breast is not red, no hard lumps, no bumps, no white in babies mouth...I really dont know what it could with no other signs except spreading pain...
I am getting him to latch on good, then stabbing pain for about 20 seconds (like grit your teeth and cry pain), then just a minor ache while he finishes~ 10 minutes. I seriously think I may need to give up my left side.
HAS ANYONE SUCCESSFULLY BREASTFEED ON ONE SIDE ONLY??

[Lindsey73]

It sounds like a clogged milk duct. Warm water compresses and emptying it out consistently will help.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/nipplehealing.html
http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/invertednipples.html

these may help...

[BusyMei]

I had so much pain for a while that I would be in tears when my son first latch on. I feel for you.

My problem was my skin can’t handle all that sucking so it cracked and had sores, probably like the scar tissue you are talking about. It got better after a while as the skin toughen up. I think it took about a week. Keeping my nipples clean, dry and using nipple balm as someon else suggested helped. Also better technique as you and your baby get more used to each other help.

Hang in there. Just make sure that you don’t have a clogged duct and end up with an breast infection. That happened to me too and I was so sick for a few days. See your doctor if you are not sure you have a breast infection.