Out of all the babies I've nursed, I finally am nursing one that has posed a challenge. My nipples are blood blistered, and although I've ran across that before with each child in the beginning, usually by day four or so it doesn't hurt anymore. That's not the case this time. Day 8 and I'm still cringing and gripping when she goes to latch on. The pain lasts for a few seconds and then disappears, but will start coming back as she slows down her sucking which left me questioning her latch.
Jennifer's daughter, Kaitlynn, clenched in her early months when she nursed, causing a lot of pain also. She nursed Emily for a bit today so she could give me better advice as to what Emily was doing. She said that her mouth was a bit on the smaller side (and so darn cute!) leaving the nipple not being able to effectively make it as far in as it should be to get past her palate. This would explain why I felt the pinching from her tongue. Jen also said that she did clench, especially as she reaches the end of nursing and bites with her gums. She showed me where I could massage on the side of her jaw to encourage her to relax.
I also felt like she wasn't getting as much milk as she needed, this only confirmed my feelings. Although I don't doubt she'll grow out of this - as Kaitlynn has also - and I can continue to easily nurse her as I'd like to do for a long time (extended nursing, a few years if she wants to), for now I feel it's best to pump as well as nurse. I don't think it'll be as painful when the raw scabs go away, so it should be a good combination. Plus, her dad can feed her now also :)
What a sweet little one - she sure is gentle and relaxed :) With the ONLY challenge so far being nursing, I've been more then blessed!!
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