Why does nursing hurt?

One of the things that I did not know when I had born my first child and was going to breastfeed was that it HURT. The first days went well, but then after a short time I felt my nipples were like open wounds.

I WANTED to breastfeed if any way possible, so I was sitting there with my suddenly encountered giant breasts and crying in pain for every sip my daughter took of my breast. A very painful and very pitiful (I was not a hero and was very sorry for myself) breastfeeding it was the first couple of weeks.

BUT, when this has been said, the pain disappeared as fast as it came. My nipples were not used to being sucked on, and they became VERY tender, cracked and was bleeding. A baby can really go for it and suck, and your nipples will have to get used to it.

Another thing that I did not know about was that big nodes accumulated in my huge breasts. I had a lot of milk and in the beginning my little child could not suck it all out, so big nodes were suddenly in my breasts. But I found out that a tender massage could get these nodes away – I sat in the bath on a stool and then I rubbed them away one by one while letting the milk run out – it was hurtful, but I only needed to do it a couple of times, because when the breastfeeding got well started and the baby started eating more, the problem disappeared.

Another thing that I was not prepared for was that when I got my second child, I thought that now I had “hard skin” from my last breastfeeding. But NO – that’s not it – it all starts again and it also takes 2 weeks the second time you are breastfeeding.

So, what you need to know when you start breastfeeding are:

It HURTS to breastfeed the first 2 weeks until your nipples get accustomed to being sucked on.
It hurts every time you get a child – your nipples must be cured each time
You can alleviate cracks and wounds with ointment from the pharmacy – just ask for it
KEEP ON TRYING – even if it hurts – it will be over after 1-2 weeks

But the good message is that once the first couple of weeks have passed and the sore breasts have become accustomed to breastfeeding, it just works. And if you at the same time can look nice in a smart nursing top or nursing dress, then breastfeeding is a little easier. See I have found some great nursing clothes for you here: