I saw a mom on Monday who had implants placed under the muscle 4 years ago.
She suffered some nerve damage and the right nipple has been painful ever
since the surgery, despite a subsequent surgery to correct the issue.  The
mother is in extreme pain during the initial latch on both breasts.  On the
left breast, there is no pain after the initial latch, but the right nipple
continues to hurt throughout the entire feeding, despite a good latch.  The
pain throughout the feeding is not as bad as the initial latch, but it is
still very uncomfortable for the mother.  I spoke with the mom yesterday and
she wanted to know when the pain would get better.  Baby is now 8 days old.
I really did not have a good answer for her.  I told her that for many women
who experience pain with the initial latch, it begins to improve around 2
weeks, but I'm not sure that will be the case for her because of the nerve
damage.  She does have a small scabbed area in the center of the right
nipple from the first few days when the latch was bad, but that is healing
now.   There is no sign of yeast/thrush or any infection that would be
causing pain.  The nipples look "normal" (round, slightly pink and a little
longer) after feeding, baby opens wide and nurses well.  The mom has a PIS
and reports that the right nipple hurts throughout pumping as well, even
with suction on low.  Does anyone have any experience or suggestions?  I
would love to give this mom some hope that the pain will not persist
throughout nursing.  I'm not sure she will continue at this point.  She has
little support for breastfeeding from her husband, who is just encouraging
her to quit because "formula is just as good!"

Thanks for your input,
Mellanie Sheppard, IBCLC
Lactation Connection
Arlington, TX USA

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