OMG yet another BF issue I am facing - 5 weeks on and I am a nearly at the end of my tether!

[Misspaella]

I am facing the biggest uphill battle to get a grip on BF DS2.

He was born with a tongue tie and just had it snipped again last Th (initial cut at 6 days old, 2nd cut at 4 1/2 weeks) and he is still pinching my nipples. I have been to 4 bf support groups and had 2 LC over to my home and no one can see an issue with the latch. It was deemed it would get better once the tt was sorted and still no difference even after the 2nd snip! It is driving me insane. I am popping painkillers to get through the day and giving 1 bottle of EBM to give me break and rest.

I have just been through a bout of thrush on the breasts which has thankfully cleared and today I wake up feeling like death and low and behold I see red, hot painful patches on my right boob! Having had mastitis with DD 2 years ago I reckon that is what I have.

I am feeling fed, tired and sick of painful feeds.

I have been trying all the bf support lines but no one is in (just my luck, eh?).

What can I do? What else could be causing the lipsticky nipples if a latch is good (and been tweaked by VARIOUS BF counselors and LC's). It occurs no matter what position I use (cross cradle, rugby, cradle).

And should I run to my GP 1st thing re the mastitis if the patches are still there tomorrow? I have been feeding on the right side and massaging it. Anything else I can do?

When will this get better??? This is not how I want to live my life.

[Hulla]

Missp I don't have much advice, I have never had mastitis but I get the "lipstick" nipple every now and then from feeding dd (6.5 months) and it hasn't been a problem. I am sure I posted about it on here and was told it didn't always mean there was a problem.

Can you try NHS direct wrt potential mastitis? I hope the patches clear and it turns out to be nothing. Have you looked on Kellymom for tips?

[Hulla]

Missp I don't have much advice, I have never had mastitis but I get the "lipstick" nipple every now and then from feeding dd (6.5 months) and it hasn't been a problem. I am sure I posted about it on here and was told it didn't always mean there was a problem.

Can you try NHS direct wrt potential mastitis? I hope the patches clear and it turns out to be nothing. Have you looked on Kellymom for tips?

[Hulla]

Oops sorry!

[pseudoname]

Misspaella: I have recently heard that the attachment from the upper gum to the upper lip is a form of 'tongue tie' if it is attached too far down on the lip. I hope you are following this. Have a look at that tip by peeling it back.

[Misspaella]

Great.
I will make sure to drain the breast after each feed with some expression. I was avoiding expressing thinking it would make it worse.

[hairymelons]

Oh you poor thing. I know what you mean about not wanting to live like this, I also had a TT baby, followed by mastitis, followed by thrush. It felt relentless (and it hurt) but for me at least it was spread out over a few months! All in just 5 weeks and you're still going. Amazing.

Can't help with the lipsticky nipples stuff but re. the mastitis, if you are feeling grotty call the out of hours docs or NHS direct now. Don't wait until you're really poorly, it's best to nip it in the bud. Your baby is tiny so they should be pretty keen to get you sorted.

And yes, it gets LOADS easier, a joy even. The first weeks are always hard, you've had a bloody awful time so well done for getting this far

[Misspaella]

bump
Patches are less painful but last night I spent the afternoon/night with aches and chills. I guess AB must be in order?

[Skillbo]

Hello

With regards the lipsticky nips, I have exactly the same problem and just wondered how your little one was delivered? If it was a forceps birth, you may have the same issue that I did which was that the forceps caused my DD to have a really sore jaw so opening her mouth really wide was really painful for her so, although she had a great latch, she just wasn't taking enough of the boob in!

Unfortunately, this is a habit that she is just not wanting to break. However, the pain has now eased on the right side and the left is so much better. She is gaining weight and doing all the right things in her nappy so I am not worried. It is a bit uncomfortable still (and sometimes downright painful) but it is worth persevering...! you could try massaging his jaws slightly which might ease any pain he has!

I am in awe of the fact you've battled through so much already so hope this is of help...

[hairymelons]

You won't necessarily have to have AB- I didn't, just took paracetamol and worked on shifting the lumps. Still good to see GP just in case you do need them.

If you are given AB watch out for thrush as you've had it recently. Saw some great tips for fighting it off on another thread recently...can only half remember them and don't want to misinform so post again if you do get the AB and want the info.

Also, having read the above post, your LO might benefit from cranial osteopathy if the problem is not opening the jaw wide enough. There's a charity offering sessions on a voluntary donation basis in Manchester & London.

[Misspaella]

Thanks ladies...

I have just been to a bf group and I was given some tips to rid the mastitis w/out resorting the AB yet. I am dosing myself with priobotics in case I fill the presc tomorrow.

Cranial Osteo just booked an appt for it tomorrow. I tried the charity in London but the do not have any appts until Sept. Hopefully it will steer us in the right direction.

Wish me luck.

[hairymelons]

That's brilliant news.

Just remembered something from when DS had his TT cut. You've prob been through all this so please ignore if irrelevant. However, I STILL have to adjust his latch at 13mo so it may be helpful.

This is hard to describe but i'll try: when he latches on his top lip curls under (because he doesn't open wide enough? Never thought of that funny enough) so I have to uncurl it bit by bit with the tip of my finger. As I lift up and drop each bit of his lip, he automatically takes in more of the breast until he's got a proper mouthful instead of hanging off my nipple. As I say, maybe no use but thought I'd mention it anyway.

Best of luck to you, hope things get easier for you soon