It is possible she is not latching properly because once she starts nursing it shouldn't hurt just that first latch

Pumping actually hurts worse than breastfeeding in my opinion. I used a nipple cream to help with the cracking and then used a nipple shield. Try massaging your breasts before nursing or pumping for a few minutes before trying to latch her on that way your milk will start flowing making it easier. When i used a shield I would hand express and have some milk at the tip of the shield so when he latched he would have a taste of it and nurse. My son was a lazy nurser and I had flat nipples. After the first 6 weeks he self weaned off the shield. It did hurt for the first two weeks though especially since my nipples were cracked.

There shouldnt be pain except for the first suck. If you have pain you need to break the suction and have your baby open wider to latch better. My son didnt latch good at first either.

Mine never was painful.

@michsept, I was just saying that a support group would help get you through until it gets easier ☺️ it's a little different than a lactation consultant 😘

@ambermento I've seen two lactation consultants - one at the hospital and one at my pediatrician. It was extremely helpful but still not a way to fix my pain and discomfort. 😖

@babynessa Okay my situation isn't that bad but I do have bruised, scabbed nipples. I only breastfed three times before trying SNS with a nipple shield. That was going okay but my milk wasn't​ coming in so I've been only pumping now and feeding by bottle my milk and supplement. The pumping is starting to hurt more now than when I started... Everyone says it will get better but I'm noticing my pain tolerance is getting worse... And I'm not even actually breastfeeding yet! If I can't handle pumping I don't see how I can get through this!

I switched. Not only because my nipples were bleeding and literally stuck to my bra and I had to rip them off which took some of my skin with it. That was when I was in the hospital since I was there for oh 4-5 days. The nurses felt bad and the laceration consulted was stunned by how much damage my nipples were in. Nipple shields did not help and I tried over and over with them. My daughter was starving literally. When I gave her a formula bottle she was so hungry poor little thing drank two of those already made bottles. Before I gave her a formula bottle I cried to my husband, my OB, my daughter's pedi, and three nurses, plus the lactation consultant that tried so many things to help me. I was in tears and felt like a failure but they assured me that I was not and it was ok. Once they saw how hungry she was and how much I was bleeding they agreed that formula was a good thing. I'm hoping whenever I have baby number two I will be better prepared now that I know what I'm going into. Formula is not a bad thing as long as your child is being fed that's all that matters in the end. My little girl is healthy as can be and didn't get sick until she was 8 months with a small cold. So I am all for formula or breast to me it does the same thing, feeds a child.

Join @cubanese 's breastfeeding group. She's a lactation consultant

It takes about 2 weeks and then it's so much better! You'll feel like you wanna give up but then it switches. Try to go to a la leche league meeting for support, most hospitals have them. Or some kind of nursing support group. Hang in there momma it gets better. Also use coconut oil on your nipples after every feeding and keep those nipples exposed as much as possible. I.e. Walk around topless at home so they can air out and heal. It'll be alright momma! It's what's best for your baby! You can do it!