Nipple blanching

[@llli*lukes.mom]

Hi ladies!
So DD is now 1 week old, and bf'ing IS getting better. I have less and less discomfort in general as everyone (and their respective parts) gets accustomed to new pressures, etc. The lovely blood blisters I developed early on are also healing nicely. However, I continue to notice a white line across my nipple when DD is finished and a "lipstick" shape to the end. I also continue to have some discomfort DURING sucking. I suspect part of this is due to a still shallow latch (her tiny mouth can only open so wide, right?) but I also wonder if she's clamping down some? How do I know? I don't think I have a particularly fast flow...

Is this something that should just improve as she grows? Or is there something else I can do in the meantime? Any thoughts are appreciated. This isn't so terrible that Im at risk for stopping bf'ing...but I think everyone's getting tired of hearing my swearing at latching on & I'm getting tired of pretty constant discomfort with every feeding.
Thanks SO much!
Krista

[@llli*aprilsmagic]

That has happened to me, and it has always resolved as baby got bigger. It was worse with my third, as by then my nipples were kind of big, and really bad with my fourth, when I was still trying to nurse him despite a cleft palate, and he could not draw my nipple back because of his mouth. But I had a line around my nipple, and that is from compression against the hard palate.

If its hurting just at he beginning, that is the 60 second sizzle. Ouchy for sure, but it usually goes away as time goes by, baby gets bigger and baby gets more efficient.

[@llli*lukes.mom]

Thanks Susan! Good to hear. The left side is definitely more uncomfortable, is throughout the feeding, but I suspect some mild torticollis may be playing a role as well (was a bit of an issue with my first...) but it's good to hear that things may improve with just time and increased size. And, yes, there's definitely still the "60 second sizzle" there too! At least this time around I know about that...
Thanks a bunch,
Krista

[@llli*worknpump]

Congrats on the new baby! I'd say give it another week and if you are still having pain maybe get the latch checked out? I had a little bit of a lipstick shaped nipple after nursing when I was nursing DS, but no other issues, so I didn't worry about it. Don't have it this time with DD but still had that initial 2-week period of soreness. Keep up the good work!

[@llli*lukes.mom]

Thanks worknpump. Would you believe the left side is already feeling better? Also a good reminder that they really DO grow up so fast. Thanks for the encouragement!
Krista