Tears and milk streaming

[FlameHasAnotherChick]

DD2 has had a bad latch. I think we're getting there with it, calling lactation woman in the morning, but I am so scared to feed. The left side I can pretty much power through, but the right I actually ran away from my own child.

I have breastfed two children before, and yet it is all going wrong this time.

I don't know how to get through whilst the damage heals - every time she feeds it just feels like it is rebruising (more bruised than cracked etc).

I have had a hot bath and pretty much emptied the right breast so I can skip another feed on that side.

I don't know what I want you lot to do but I need to get it all out. Poor DH is sat downstairs being a human dummy until I can face the feed.

[whomovedmychocolate]

It's hard when you start off - you just assume it'll be fine. I was furious when I had problems feeding DS after feeding DD successfully all the way through my pregnancy with DS.

You know you will get through this - may I suggest paracetamol, some nipple cream and airing them as much as possible?

Hang in there. You'll get through this. In a few months it'll be a (horrible but faded) memory.

[mummyhill]

Huge (most un mumsnet like) hugs flame not much advice I am afraid as my little monster wouldn't latch at all and I am express feeding again this time round.

Could you express and freeze for later use off the side that is worst and just feed off one side till you heal?

[FlameHasAnotherChick]

DS did that thing where he found his own way to the nipple just after birth, and never had an issue (apart from a thing with turning his head to the right all the time, which DD and now DD2 is doing too - we can fix that at chiropractor - again, a phone call in the morning). I assumed it was because I had learnt from issues with DD, not that he was just a star.

Expressing is only working in the bath (pref under water!), but I'm drowning in milk so wasting it isn't an issue.

DD2 is sleeping peacefully I'm sat here with lasinoh (?sp) smothered nipples leaking into the fresh air.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Got a cabbage? Stick some leaves on them, it cools the burning sensation (of course you smell like compost but ho hum!)

[nightofthewakingdead]

Oh god I remember how painful it can be.

The lansinoh is v. good and actually in the early days with DS1 I used to take a paracetomol (sp?) or two before a feed and then sit and curl my toes.

Try and get the latch right first time because latching on and off a bruised nipple is a killer...

Have you got some good DVDs to watch while feeding to take your mind off it?
Good luck... (and gritted teeth )

[whomovedmychocolate]

I also remember breathing slowly like a cow (ie mooooo, moooo) (used to freak DH out a treat ) when DS latched on to get through that first minute.

[caughtintheact]

yes I had to do labour breathing for the first few seconds of each feed - only for the first week or so though. hope it gets better soon!

[FlameHasAnotherChick]

many eps of supernatural to watch.

v good update - have just had first truly great latch (on the better side)! feeding felt good

[kitkatcadaverqueen]

oh you have my every sympathy, I found myself running away from ds for the same reasons. It actually only took a couple of days for the pain to drop down once I got his latch right and i'm sure that it only happened in the 1st place because I was so engorged my boobs were as hard as oranges and he couldn't latch on. que chewed nipples!

I ended up pumping off the 1st part of each feed to get the pressure down for a few days and after that it was plain saiing.

hope it gets sorted for you as quickly.

[HalfMumHalfBiscuit]

Hi Flame - hope it's getting better for you. Can only suggest warm flannels on the boob, plus nipple cream and paracetamol!

[Restrainedrabbit]

Have you tried feeding her in the bath? Second lansinoh, expressing for a couple of feeds - this (I've heard) is a miracle cure: www.breastfeedingheaven.co.uk/breastfeeding-products/silverette-healing-cups/prod_138.html

[Louby3000]

The current advice is not to air your breasts but to let them be warm and damp back in your bra. Slather on the lansinoh, and if you can single side feed till you heal. Good luck.

[Poohbearsmom]

Sorry ur havin a hard time i had a horrible 1st two wks wit my ds1 but i found 'avent nipple shells' a god send!! Even water n da shower touchin my nipples had me n tears so havin da shells kept da pressure of my bra & clothes off me aswell as collectin da leakin milk & were brill, altho every time id bend over all da milk which had bn collectin wud topple out plus da lansinoh & their brand of pads r da best too... I tried nipple shields too but i jus thought they were too huge to get n2 my tiny little mans mouth!! Good luck, it really is so hard what ur havin now & i hope it gets better soon

[FlameHasAnotherChick]

Lol Louby - picturing them in a bra with damp moss now

Will put em away.

How is it that just one really good feed has renewed my faith so much?

[Louby3000]

Mmmmmmmm nice!
One good feed and perhaps you are on your way to a healed breast!!

Can you get a DVD from your HV about latching. I know you know what you are doing, but sometimes it is good to see a DVD of it in slow mo so you can really check what is going on. Well done on carrying on, you are doing a good thing.- I am sending you a virtual pat on the back-

[whomovedmychocolate]

Yeah! Glad you had a good feed this evening. Let's hope you have turned the corner!

[Restrainedrabbit]

Excellent! Those first few weeks are tough

[Flamebat]

Thought I would update - breastfeeding lady came on Tuesday and was lovely. Still having a few issues with the right side but more through me backing away in fear than bad latch now . I can't believe how good it feels to have properly emptying breasts

[Flamebat]

spoke too soon... right nipple now bleeding are trying to get her to release a death grip bad latch

[nightofthewakingdead]

Oh no.

You are hooking a finger in to get her to release, aren't you?

It is such a faff (not to mention a literal PAIN) latching them on and off to get it right, but now you know what is right, you will get it sorted in a couple of days.

Gritting teeth again for you.

[Flamebat]

Yup, once she feels me getting a finger nearby she clamps harder she hates me

[nightofthewakingdead]

Ahh - she can't get enough of you, that's why she won't let go.

It's a reflex thing too I think.

kellymom article with stuff about latching on and off.

[Flamebat]

Thought I would update - we seem to be getting there! I left the bad side for a full 24 hours before trying again which made the world of difference. We're still doing some interesting positions and it takes a while sometimes to latch on, but feeding properly from both sides now

[nightofthewakingdead]

Great! Hope it continues well.