Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Headaches and sore nipples

Do you think coming off of the hormones can cause headaches?
Ever since I stopped taking them I have a low level headache all the time.

Also, my nipples are very sore when I first start pumping and sore/extremely sensitive all day. I'm using the Medela PIS with the standard size flanges. I ordered the larger size. I'm hoping this will help. Any other suggestions?

Other than that, things are going well. I think I'm seeing a slow, steady increase. And today it was spraying out. Woohoo!!

Are you using olive oil in the flanges? I find it really helps a lot. Also you can go without a bra around the house to desensitize your nipples (much easier if you're an A cup than a C!!) and "toughen them up".

Yes, I've used olive oil. To go without a bra would be sheer torture. All that moving around and rubbing....eecckkkk!!
But thanks...hopefully the bigger shields will help.

The bigger flanges should help I had to make sure that as my nipple was drawn into the horns it was straight and not pressed/pinched up against one side.
Hooray for sprays!!!!!

Oh and yes I do think that coming off the hormones could be the source of your headaches. They should get better. Are you taking anything?

Thanks so much. I'm taking calcium which is supposed to help with headaches. A little better today. I never get headaches so I figured it was somehow related. Yes, the base of my nipples press against the horn. Pheuww! It's excrutiating when I first put them on. I thought maybe it was normal and something that would go away, but it's not. Hopefully the larger flanges will fix this. Thanks again.

Are you remembering to turn the suction down on the pump before you close it? That tends to be the number one reason for sore nipples. You forget to turn the suction down and get a nasty surprise the next time you pump. The second most common reason is the suction is turned up too high during pumping. It's not necessary to "hoover" your breasts. Medium suction without pain is the goal. If your nipples are larger than the narrow end of the breast shields, say quarter sized? You'll need the larger sized shields.

Start with this and let us know how you're doing.

Best, Lenore