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Expert Q&A

	By Ann Calandro BSN, RNC, IBCLC Lactation Consultant

I tried unsuccessfully to nurse my son who is now 20 months old. I stopped because there was a lot of pain and my nipples were peeling. I would have to take my skin out of my son's mouth while I was nursing him. So I gave up!! It has always bothered me that I gave up and so now that I am pregnant again I am determined to try it with my coming baby. Can you please tell me what I was doing wrong and how I can make it work this time!

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Things will go better this time with breastfeeding. You are now an experienced mother -- you just need to learn a little more about breastfeeding. You might want to attend some La Leche League meetings during your pregnancy, to observe and talk to other nursing moms and babies.

You can check out some really helpful books about breastfeeding while you are there. You might want to attend a hospital breastfeeding class before your baby's birth. Most hospitals offer prenatal breastfeeding classes for moms and dads to attend. This will give you lots of information as well. After your birth, you will be able to put to use all you have learned.

Most hospitals have Lactation Consultants that will visit you during your hospital stay and assist you in checking that the baby is latched on correctly. The kind of nipple damage you described happens when the baby is not latched correctly to the breast. A correct latch includes having the baby positioned "tummy to tummy" with you, being sure the baby's mouth is open and his head is slightly tipped back before he latches. Also be sure that the baby latches to a good bit of the areola tissue, with the nipple deep in the upper part of the back of his palate. Once latched, you should be able to feel a comfortable tug and observe a slight movement around his ear.

By preparing yourself and learning all you can, you will be ready to begin a comfortable and peaceful breastfeeding experience this time around!

For more information on this topic, see Breastfeed.com's article: "Sore Nipples."

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