Finally - I love brwast feeding

[Rachog]

After many problems, tounge tie, thrush, mastitis, cracked nipples, cluster feeding, lack of confidence and other worries, I have realised at 15 weeks, that breast feeding has become easy and I love it.

I am just posting this as a glimmer of hope to anyone struggling and also because I posted so much about my problems I thought it was fair to balance it out. I don't know when it got easy, I just noticed that it has

Good luck to anyone going through those difficult first weeks!.

[EauRouge]

Brilliant news. Well done, all your hard work has paid off! I think you should treat yourself to something

[1gglePiggle]

Yes it's definitely worth persevering with as it is so much easier and more convenient. I loved being able to lie in in the morning with dd, no having to get out of bed to faff with bottles, bliss.

(mine had tongue tie too and was stuck in hospital for days as she wouldn't feed then 2 hourly feeding - it definitely does get better so hang on in there anyone who's thinking of giving up!)

[McPhee]

I agree

Dd is 4 months now, and I too finally feel like we've cracked it

[PollyIndia]

My baby 3.5 weeks and I hate it.so good to hearing it can improve

[PollyIndia]

Sorry for illiterate post. Typing on iPad while feeding (natch )

[Rachog]

Pollyindia, I used to dread every feed to the point of trying to distract him from being hungry but now I love feeding him. I love the tickly feeling and his little hands patting my breast. If you can carry on it is so worth it, but as Long as a baby is fed then that's the main thing.

Thanks everyone and congrats to everyone who is enjoying it!

[Doodlekitty]

Thank you! I'm currently 10 days overdue and hoping to breast feed but feel ever so slightly scared of it. Went to a lll meeting a month ago to try and get over fear, did not help. I have friends who feed, all they ever tell me is how hard it is, does not help. It's nice to see a silver lining. I'm still scared, but thank you

[bissydissy]

My wee on was a crappy feeder. Coming off and on, wailing, like feeding a convulsing cat. But even she is a joy to feed now at 6 months. Although maximum boob exposure in public is still her main aim in life.......

Had thought I'd give up now but turn why would I when it's so easy now. It is hard in those first few weeks but that's all you really have to do for them at that point.

(for clarity I have never actually fed a convulsing cat)

[Loislane78]

Well done OP for coming out the other end after all those issues, you must be v pleased with yourself :)

I love the convenience of BF. First night away from home in a hotel at the weekend (11 wks). Her clothes so small they easily fitted in our bag with changing mat/nappies; slept in the basinet; had a quick bath in the sink and with no bottles to make up/heat it was no big deal. made me realize just how portable BF is (and babies when small).

Good job OP :)

[Kelbells]

Bissy

Thank you for this! My DS is 3 weeks and I've been scouring and lurking the board every night during the cluster feeding extravaganza which he goes through every night! I know I'm lucky not to go through some of the major problems that others do but I'm still finding it challenging to say the least!!!
It's so good to know it'll get easier!!!

[Rachog]

Glad my thread is reassuring to some. I had so much support and great advice on these boards but the main thing that got me through was sheer stubborness!

bissy that made me actually laugh!

doodlekitty any day now eh, good luck with the birth. Just take each day as it comes and if you need any help ask ASAP, don't put up with pain etc, there is support out there.

lois its great, can go anywhere and don't have to rush back or worry about warming bottles, carrying formula etc.

kelsbels think of it as a great excuse to sit on the sofa in charge of the remote whilst dp does any chores, supplies cups of tea etc.

[OctoberOctober]

Good to hear positive story, am currently 2.5 weeks and fed up bf, still finding it so painful and incessant but good to hear that it can get better. It needs to.

[Orenishii]

This is so good to hear. My DS is only 9 days old and we've had to many up and down issues already - if it's not the most badly damaged nipples my MW has ever seen (thanks for that!) it's tongue tie, bad latching, screaming like a convulsing cat (such an accurate description!) and now cluster feeding...there's so much to deal with...

My DH literally dragged me through one very bad day where it no longer hurt as much, but DS was screaming, punching my breasts, jerking his head back, didn't want anything to do with my nipple and I just sat there crying at every feed, the relentless 2 hour cycle making me dread checking the clock...but DH got me through it even when I was convinced my son hated me.

I wouldn't say it is good now - that's a way off - but it's so good to hear you can come to actively like it, to actively love it :)

[Angelico]

Am at 6 weeks with recurrent blocked ducts. Anyone else get past this? I'm getting fed up :(

[imustbepatient]

Thanks so much for this thread. It gives me hope that things might improve for us too. We have an appointment on Wednesday to check for tongue tie and it will be snipped then and there if it is present. I am hoping with every fibre in my body that by Wednesday night we will have turned the corner!

[Rachog]

Fingers crossed for you imustbepaitent! It may take a day or two to relearn to latch properly.

Big hugs october I have definitely been there. I never realised how hard it could be!

orenshill how helpful of your midwife to say that! Good job you have such a supportive dh!

angelico we only had one blocked duct, I aimed the shower at it as hot as I could and very firmly massaged it toward the nipple.

[Angelico]

Rachog I have tried everything and am on to my second type of antibiotic today :( Am really hoping they work because the pain makes me miserable when it all flares up. Same ducts blocking over and over, everyone seems baffled (GP, La Leche advisior, National Breastfeeding Line Volunteer). Getting referred to breast clinic if it isn't clearing up next week in case it's something more sinister.

I would really like to continue BFing, especially because first few weeks were fine and I still enjoy feeds when all is well but the blocked ducts are fucking agony. Another week or fortnight of this and I'll be calling it quits...

[Angelico]

And thanks Welovecouscous going to hop into bath shortly after forcing boob on DD once more :)

[Rachog]

Sorry to year your struggling angelico have you posted a thread on here? There are some very wise mumsnetters who seem to know the answer to everything.

I hope you get it sorted and its not anything sinister! If you do call it quits then just remember, so long as your baby is fed, that's what matters.

[Rachog]

angelico have you been checked for anemia, apparently that can cause plugged ducts.

[StarsGhostTail]

I feel guilty for repeatedly posting, don't give up it does get better.
But as you have found it honestly does, however hard that is to believe when every feed reduces you to tears and your nipples are bleeding.

No way would I have believed then that many, many years later I'd happily feed a DD with a full set of teeth without feeling a thing and that my nipples are just as sensitive if not more than they ever were.

Why it hurts so much to begin with I do not know. I know there are those who say it shouldn't, but having feed one DD who was never going to get the idea and one who knew exactly what to do, both hurt just as much. I'm absolutely certain DD2 latched on right, but the early days were still hell. Hell that for the convenience and closeness that followed turned out to be worth it.

[Rachog]

Couldn't agree more stars only a couple of weeks ago I was ready to throw in the towel and now I am forever waving my boobs in ds face.