Going from problem to problem breastfeeding wise, not sure what to do..

Hi all

It's like what the thread title says, I am currently breastfeeding my three month old but am feeling low today as it's painful and I'm wondering if it is costing me my mental health.

At the beginning my baby had poor latch and working with lactation consultants I used shields for about 8 weeks, I managed to wean my baby off those and it felt like I had cracked it.

Then I noticed some pain between feeds and it was due to nipple blanching. I did my best with his latch and squeezed the nipples when they got sore and when the blood went back in it was fine, kept going.

In the past week or so I developed a nipple blister which was excruciating and didn't improve over four days despite bursting. I went to see the lactation nurse again and she recommended Dr Newman's all purpose nipple ointment and she thought there was a fungal infection on the baby's tongue so he is also on oral antifungal.

As I sit here now my nipple burns with pain on and off (after 5 days of treatment) and blanches independently of feeding. I also have an ache between my shoulder blades. It's probably vasospasm and could be latch related (but I've done what I can with that) or due to Raynaud's (which I do get in my hands). I feel like it's never going to be comfortable and I'm so tired of being in pain. I don't have mastitis or a blocked duct as the boob feels ok.

The baby is thriving and is gaining weight beautifully although I do have a forceful letdown which makes him gassy/colicky so I also have to manage that.

I guess what I'm asking is if this is a normal amount of problems, am I a bad mother for considering a switch to formula and also is there a risk a switch to formula might make his tummy problems worse which would also make things hard for me.

Sorry for the long post, I'm interested in hearing others experiences. I am going to call the lactation consultant tomorrow for some more advice but at this point it feels like I'm always on to them..