Lactation Consultant

I had heard that breastfeeding would be painful at first but never realized that the letting down of milk would actually sting a bit. When my milk eventually came in, my nipples would sting like they were having strong contractions. This caught me off guard but became the norm during feeding sessions. Other breastfeeding friends had little or no irritation during let down so every woman seems to be different. The pain subsided after about the first month and eventually (around month 3) I stopped feeling my let downs altogether which I actually also think is unusual because other friends who have been breastfeeding just as long are still feeling the let down. Now I know that milk is letting down by the nutritive sucking motion (rhythmic and consistent without any pausing or fluttering) of my son and the distinct sounds of swallowing liquids.