Another Question for second time moms who breastfed!?

My 2nd baby is 7 months. Yes with my first who is now almost 3, I did bleed some. This time totally not as much pain and don't think I had any blood at all. It has been MUCH easier this time! They say putting some breast milk on your nipples helps or that Lansinoh ointment. DO NOT use that one that they banned!

Cracking and bleeding is caused by an improper latch. If your baby doesn't latch well then you will have the same problem. When I was at the lactation consultant one day there was a woman there with here third and all three she had had real problems.

When the baby unlatches immediately inspect your nipple. If there is a raised white line get HELP. That is the start of a crack. It is better to catch it then then to wait until you are bleeding.

Also about nipple shields -don't use them. They can reduce milk supply for many women. Of course there are a few lucky ones that do fine with them, but I have seen them end too many nursing relationships and I had a heck of a time getting my son off them. They don't teach a baby to nurse they teach a baby to suck on a nipple shield. There is only ONE circumstance where they should be used: baby will not latch at all and baby mom can not pump (due to being unable to pump, not having access to a pump or living somewhere without adequate access to refridgeration). In all other cases pumping and cup or syringe (NOT BOTTLE) feeding is preferable while teaching a baby to latch.

the cracking has nothing to do with how tough your nipples are or aren't: that is strictly a bad latch and if the next baby also has a bad latch, it will recur. to prevent it, make sure you have as much of the coloured part, the aureola, jammed in the baby's mouth as possible. the nipple needs to be right a the back of the mouth, not in the front, because the baby's not "sucking" on the nipple: she's "stripping" it, much the same way you milk a cow or work out that last bit of milkshake out of the straw.

ETA: about nipple shields - my opinion is the only time they should be used is to correct inverted nipples (the nipple gets pulled forward until it shapes to the inside of the shield and after a while, many times the shield can be dispensed with).

My second time was easier in many ways, but the pain was just the same! With both boys I used a nipple shield and I tell you, it was a life saver! Best of luck!

I've never had too painful experiences with breastfeeding. Be sure to talk with the nurse who does breastfeeding consulting when you deliver because it's not normal for nursing to be painful. Initially with the baby latching on, but for weeks is not normal.

It really depends, they should be better this time, but you can use a shield to make it better