08/10/2026
Allllllllll of this! 💯🐻💙
When nursing a baby, it should feel like nothing or a gentle tug.
But wait, many people are told it is normal for there to be pain and damage in the first weeks after birth.
Listen, I get it, most people haven't had anyone suck on their breast/chest/nipples that many hours a day before (especially if it's your first baby).
And sure, there may be some soreness as you and your baby get used to latching...but I'm saying it here, I hope loud and clear...it's NOT normal for it to hurt or for their to be damage.
A little soreness, sure. But sore to the point of dreading the next feeding, nope. That's the sign to arrange for help.
A few quick signs you would benefit from help:
~ soreness or pain that makes you dread the next feeding
~ damage of the skin of the nipple/areola
~ engorgement or swelling
~ baby cries often and is difficult to console
~ clicking while drinking
~ struggles taking a bottle (including leaking milk from the mouth while drinking from breast/chest/bottle)
~ coming on and off breast/chest/bottle frequently during a feeding
~ hard to latch (baby has hard time getting latch and maintaining the latch)
~ baby not gaining weight
If the person who helps you can't find reasons for the symptoms you/baby are having and give you solutions, find someone else.
"Just keep trying..."
"Just give your baby a bottle..."
"It's normal to have pain..."
"Some babies can't breastfeed..."..are not statements someone should be saying to anyone...
Keep looking for help until you find the person that gives you the help you need to get baby's latch and suckle to feel good.
Need help? Find someone who can help you with your latch AND has training in pumping and fl**ge fitting in the Babies in Common Directory. https://www.babiesincommon.com/directory
