8g to 6g problems

[soundsetsunshine]

I've been stuck with 8g for about 3 or 4 months because of a lack of new jewelry but now that I bought a set of steel tapers and tunnels I'm having trouble with getting up to size. I can get the tapers halfway in before they begin to sting or feel really uncomfortable. I've attempted about 3 times now to get to 6g and each time it results in pain or even a little bleeding. I've been giving my ears salt baths and started massaging them but idk. Should I be taping and taking it super slow instead of tapering? Should I be doing anything else?

[ast.riske]

If you bled, you should give yourself enough time to heal up before you try again. That said, taping may be a good option for you. It will allow you to move up little by little and let your ears adjust to each small step before you go up again. Taping should make the experience a pretty painless affair. Once you put either ptfe tape or bondage tape on your plugs, be sure to lube them up really well. Some people find Teflon to feel somewhat sticky on their ears.