Is it always going to be hard?

Question

My baby is 3 weeks old. 1st few days were so hard, I was crying while breastfeeding him. I had cracks and nipples were sore. It has healed now and it’s less painful than before but it’s still painful. When I tell people, I get reply the below reply:
1. It’s a part of motherhood. You will have to bear it
1. What did you think? Motherhood was easy?
3. You are not the first pregnant lady in this world
I don’t want to give my son my formula. I tell them about my pain because it really hurts. I want to bond with my son and not be afraid when my son is crying as I have to feed him and go through the pain. I want help. 
Will breastfeeding get better? Or is it going to be always painful?

Answer

Get into contact with an IBCLC for proper latch and tongue/lip tie assessment.

Answer

It does get better!
Use a soothing balm on your nipples after each feeding.
You can also try nipple shields to give your poor sore breasts a break and time to heal.
You can try pumping and giving baby a bottle .
No one has the right to talk down to you! You deserve love and support!

Answer

The early days of breastfeeding suuuuuuuuck. They really do. 
From cracked, bleeding nipples, clusterfeeding, getting a good latch, sleep deprivation, etc..
But I promise once you make it past that stage it becomes second nature. 
It is mentally draining and can take a lot out of you, but it truly becomes so rewarding and a beautiful experience. I breastfed all 3 of mine for 2 years and it definitely has its ups and downs.. but ultimately it was the decision that worked for me and my family.
Don't feel bad if it's not for you. A fed baby is what's best and a happy mom who isn't stressed is better than a mom who's drained. So do what works for you and your family! Your baby loves you. You're doing great! 💙💙

Answer

Honestly the first few weeks are super tough. I highly recommend earth mama nipple butter to help with the cracks. And use a nipple shield, it will make the world of difference. But I promise it gets better. If it doesn’t, then you should def see an ILBC and baby should be evaluated for lip or tongue tie because it really shouldn’t hurt after the first few weeks once your nipples have adjusted. 
All that being said, fed is best. If you want to switch to formula there is nothing wrong with that. Do what feels best for you.

Answer

Have him checked for a tongue tie. 
I tried breastfeed my daughter and told MULTIPLE nurses and drs she wouldn’t stay latched and when she did it was excruciating. They all ignored me. 
I happened to go at the midwife that I saw through my pregnancy (I ended up having to deliver at the hospital instead of birth center due to my blood pressure)  and she checked her and said she had a complete tongue tie and fixed it right there. 
Unfortunately my milk had all but completely dried up because I had been ignored for so long. 
If I have another I’m demanding they be checked right after birth.

Answer

nurse a lot everything will pass... nurse nurse nurse..

Answer

This sounds like me with my first baby! It got better for me around 12 weeks. I'm nothing if not stubborn and really didn't give myself the option to not breastfeed since baby was growing fine and the only issue was the pain. I just grin and beared it until it got easier, thou I recognize this is not for everyone! I recommend these strategies that worked for me:
Find and use a lactation consultant, the hospital I delivered at had a free group or La Leche League had free groups in my area. 
Set a personal goal for breastfeeding and stick to it. Mine was 1 year! We made it to 18 months before I got pregnant again and was ready to be done.
It's ok to cuss, yell or whatever to make it through the latching!
Get Earth Mamas Nipple Butter and apply after every feed.
Get your favorite treat and eat it while breastfeeding. I got peanut butter m&ms that rewarded myself for getting through it!
Change your breast pads every feed. It was worse for me if they were wet and I left them for too long. 
 On a side note, breastfeeding my second has been the complete opposite experience and 4 weeks out there is virtually no pain! 
Good luck and I'm sorry it's painful! Breastfeeding is hands down the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done!

Answer

I had that same problem, I cried while he was on my boob. After some time I had enough, he didn’t really know how to properly latch on which caused me to have a tremendous amount of pain so my solution was pumping and that way he gets my milk and I don’t want to throw him out the window as soon as he wakes up hungry 😅

Answer

I almost gave up the day I got home from hospital. I held on, used nipple shields, got a lactation consultant, fixed a tongue tie- and by two months it was soooooooo much better. Just do what's right for you. Either way, your baby is loved. Hang in there mama.

Answer

Hun, fed is best. If it's stopping you from enjoying your baby, don't put yourself through it. It gets easier and if you haven't, try things like nipple shields, creams, they sell cooling/heating packs specifically for breast feeding, maybe pumping if you're that determined but there is absolutely nothing wrong with switching to formula if the mental load is too much. I've heard leaving breast milk to dry on the cracked nipples can help as well. Congrats on the new baby Momma ❤ This will pass. You got this!

Is it always going to be hard?

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