Hey mommas, have you ever experienced pain while breastfeeding? And did you think that is normal?

 First and foremost, if you, momma are new to breastfeeding it should NEVER HURT OR BE PAINFUL. It of course may feel different and may take time to get adjusted and acclimated with, however as far as pain there should be none. Now if there is pain, there can be plenty of reasons why. If you’d like to know why, well let’s keep reading to get into it. As always, there can be numerous reasons as of why you, momma may be in pain while breastfeeding feeding. A lot the time pain is caused by improper latch. You’ll know your latch isn’t proper if it’s uncomfortable and causing pain, as almost your nipple is being pinched, or rubbed rough, this type of latch can cause cracked, red, even bloody nipples or milk (you can feed baby milk if red or pink, as long as mom doesn’t have any underlying health issues/disease that can harm baby if they drink red milk). To avoid this issue mom and baby can work on latch technique, waiting until baby’s mouth is ideally gaped at 140-160 degrees (ideally a size of a big baby big yawn), this is perfect to insert boob in baby’s mouth allowing bottom of areola to touch babies bottom lip first allowing baby to close and create the perfect seal, pain free. Boob may look off centered in babies mouth its normal! Steps for optimal latch are: if baby gape mouth open or optimally gaped,

Step 1: Get positioned comfortably, head/nose to nipple, tummy to tummy, and hips to hip, and make sure your babies hips and legs bent for digestion purposes, this is great start for mommy and baby breastfeeding alignment 

Step 2: nose opposite to nipple or kind of like (nipple under nose), this is so baby can smell milk and possibly open mouth

If there is a struggle, squeeze some milk out under nose and kind of stroke mouth if you will or bottom lip with nipple

Step 3: once mouth is optimally gaped 140 -160 degrees (ideally a big yawn) gently insert boob in mouth, boob should touch bottom lip 1st, this creates a seal, and nipple should be able to extend in your baby’s mouth comfortably with out causing friction, rubbing or cracking.

Remember to call your provider if pain is unbearable, you're unsure and still having trouble, or just to ensure breastfeeding is going well, they can offer additional support. and resources.

It may take a couple tries to get it right and thats okay mommas, because its natural to breastfeed because our body make the milk, however its a skill we have to be taught as well. Often times than not, pain with breastfeeding is caused by improper latch and positioning. You should also be able to hear milk transfer and that sounds like when we drink or gulp water, similar sound, and that will let you know he/she is getting transferred milk. There are also multiple positions you can try if the traditional cradle or cross cradle is uncomfortable (there will be links for different positions). You can also do side lying and laid back this position can help control or slow down a faster milk flow. It's time for my mommas to chime in, did you have any pain during breastfeeding? If so, how did you combat it and what caused it ?

For more Information and support visit links below:

https://www.verywellfamily.com/4-best-positions-for-breastfeeding-with-back-pain-6265778

https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/parenthood/problems-and-discomforts-when-breastfeeding