I join the "no pain" camp.  I do realize there are different pain tolerences
among women, but if breastfeeding were supposed to hurt (even a little) I
think women would have given this up. I mean really, birth is no picnic, and
if after that experience,  feeding the little darlings hurt too, chances are
we would have decided the little thing that came out of us and hurts us needs
to stay in the cave. (Yes, I know, that is not true, the maternal instinct is
so strong and I too have seen moms nursing their babes on nipples that
cracked, bleeding, and even "chewed up".)  I am very naive, but I would like
to believe that breastfeeding is part of the plan to reward us for giving
birth.  I also am of the belief that those things which sustain life should
bring pleasure (on at least some level). So, I would think if breastfeeding
hurts, something is wrong.  I have too often seen just the slightest change
bring relief to think it is normal to hurt.  Normal to "feel" breastfeeding
yes, but normal to be tender and uncomfortable? I think if there is pain
there is a reason. (Might not know why or even how to fix it, but there is
something not quite right.) Yes, there are moms who hurt and it just improves
over the first couple weeks, but I think that is more because the baby
finally figured it out and got it right, not so much that nipples have
toughened up.  Otherwise, why would a mom be sore with baby number 3 after
years and years of nursing....those nipples surely would have toughened up by
then.  I think it is a combination of many issues that has moms feeling any
pain or discomfort in those early weeks, regardless of the level, I just
don't think it is because it is "normal" ----to be expected? maybe due to
some reason or other, but still not "normal."   I prefer to say, "you will
feel your baby nursing, it should not make you cringe, but you will feel it."
 I also do the count to 20 and see if it improves and when it does I know it
is probably because of the way baby initially goes on and then self corrects.
 BUT, there are so many times I have heard moms say "I must be doing it right
the suck is so strong my nipples are bleeding." I think it is important to
let moms know "you feel it" you don't "dread it".

It is very interesting to me to see all the ideas about the pain vs no pain
ideas.

Pam MazzellaDiBosco        IBCLC       FL, USA

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