20 week old awake for hours during the night

[1sttimemama1986]

We've reached an all time low with my Son being awake from 12-3 last night. He has 2 feeds, several nappy changes, lots of cuddles to try get to sleep, put in cot to see if he would settle. Nope nothing. When finally drifted off in my arms I try put him down in bed with me or cot and he cries. Managed to put him down at 3ish he was up by 415. And repeat of above got him to sleep and in the cot by half 6 and he was crying 20 mins later. I try and settle him without getting him out the cot but no such luck.
It's been like this for couple weeks.
I am struggling with it all. I am aware the fact I'm antibiotics is affecting him as BF but the mastitis isn't clearing so got to see the course of antibiotics through. I'm in agony every feed and after. I'm so fed up and utterly exhausted.

I hate myself for moaning and getting cross with my little boy. My partner is irritating more than usual, there's a surprise! He wants to help by doing all night feeds tonight. But I've tried to explain missing feeds,even if I pump is not good for mastitis. I think he thinks I'm being a marter.

Any advice / encouragement welcome. From one Exhausted and emotional mama.

[FATEdestiny]

Being as gentle as possible, I can see where your DH is coming from. While you are this ill, your milk will be effected. It is a reasonable assumption that the reason your baby is crying is hungar. A bottle of formula here and there will not affect your long term breastfeeding. You can go back to exclusivity, go easy on yourself.

In addition to feeding as often as you possibly can, not beating yourself up about a bottle of formula every now and again while you are poorly, you could also consider a dummy for comfort sucking.

[amysmummy12345]

Feed as much as you can!!! Pumping does not drain as effectively as baby sucking does, is it in both breasts? Could you pump the good breast and block feed off the other to ensure its getting a good drainage? Kellymom website has lots of good advice about mastitis, wishing you all the best mama

[1sttimemama1986]

FATEdestiny- thank you for your reply! we use a dummy and give him formula as his last feed before bed everyday so not too worried about that. It's more the worry my boobs will be very painful if not fed from. I do feed him through the night normally a fair bit too. Perhaps he is more hungry and not giving his usual cues, I wonder if he's teething too

[1sttimemama1986]

Or like you said my supply may be reduced due to being ill. I had t thought of that.

[1sttimemama1986]

amysmummy12345-thank you for your reply! Yes both breasts just my luck. Pump definitely isn't as effective in terms of emptying the boob. Had chat with other half, we both agree I need some rest so compromise to save prolonged mastitis hell is that when he wakes for feed ill boob him then leave other half to settle/change/stay up half the night with him.

Thank you both for your posts! X

[fluffikins]

Have you tried coalescing? It might work well while you're poorly and it means he'll feed regularly to clear the mastitis

[1sttimemama1986]

Sorry do you mean co-sleeping? We have only recently put him in the cot but happy to co-sleep if it helps x

[fluffikins]

Ha yes. Cosleeping. I still co sleep now when my little one is teething etc but she starts the night in her cot. Anything to get through!

[1sttimemama1986]

Haha yes, before all this started we had co-slept from about 8 weeks. Only put him in cot very recently. He was in the cot for first part of night, then we co-slept and fed laying down for rest of it. He woke at 430 for couple hours but my partner was off today so got up with him. Phew. Felt amazing this morning even though he was up for few feeds night not being up for the big awake stint made all the difference xxx

[fluffikins]

That's good, how's the mastitis?

[1sttimemama1986]

I'm still having pain during feeds a d randomly for long periods when not feeding I really hope I won't need more antibiotics. This is the second week, I finish these on Tuesday.

[fluffikins]

Have you checked for a nipple blister? I always get tiny deep blisters you can barely see when my dd gets a new tooth, they block the pore and the milk backs up and it can be very painful. Only way to sort it is to poke it with a sterilised needle.

Also have you changed/stop wearing your bra? I found some bras caused nipple blanching which was agony and others caused block ducts as they were fitted badly. Worth going without a bra for a few days until it's clear

[1sttimemama1986]

Thank you, I will look out for blisters nothing obvious but will inspect closer for sure. I'm going without a bra at the moment it is definitely more comfortable!!