To ask for some encouragement (and perhaps a little handholding)

[BatCave]

I need to phone someone for some bf advice. Whether its mw or a helpline. But I keep chickening out because I know I am going to cry buckets down the phone and come out looking like a complete fool.

Day 3, I'm in agony and so engorged my DS can't latch.

I know I need some help but I just can't do it. DH has gone out with Mil and DD as she was doing my head in (mil not DD).

Hope you have got some help by now.

All the previous advice is brilliant. The same thing happened to me on day 3. I phoned the mw to see when she was coming for a visit as DS hadn't fed for several hours. She came straight round and spent 4 hours with me, helping me express some milk, sterilising my pump and holding my hand until he was able to feed again.

I know I was so lucky to have her caring for me. I have met up with her again in different circumstances and have been do glad I could tell her what she did for me.

One more thing, can you get moral support from DH? I asked my DH to.hold my hand during matching on as it used to hurt do much at the beginning.

Good luck, hang on in there, it will get easier.

• latching on!

We all cry on Day 3! Especially when we're in agony from engorgement. Totally totally normal.

Your midwife will be delighted you're calling for help in breastfeeding - they want to support us to get it right and they know how to help.

You're doing brilliantly and it will get better!

Day 3 I cried cos my dad and dh were having a heated discussion and the baby had just projectile vomited the whole feed up over my mother

Ring the helpline YANBU

How are you, OP?

Wow what beautiful kind people you all are! I'm sorry I posted and ran
I literally had the phone in my hand and there was a knock on the door and it was my midwife. I literally burst into tears on the doorstep poor woman!

My boobs were so engorged she suggested we head up to the local hospital for some one on one help and I've had to completely empty with a pump and start again. The pain is because he is such a big hungry boy with a very strong suck but a lazy latch and he's been nipple feeding, hence all the bruising. I've stayed overnight, its such a lovely place and they are helping with p&a and generally holding my hand through the toe curling.

Still in a lot of pain but feeling more relaxed and I've actually had some sleep!!!!

Thank you to all of you who took the time to reply, it means such a lot, in the morning I will pick through everything that has been suggested and grab some tips. So thank you thank you thank you made me cry again

Oh dear poor you. I went and stood in a nice warm shower and did my crying, Oh the engorgement. I had to do lamaze breathing while Ds latched on, and trying to express so he could latch was miserable. You'll get through it, as it turns out it's pretty common reading all the previous posts.
For me it was day 4 with the first baby, it didn't seem anywhere near as bd with the second, or maybe I just knew what was happening.

Just read the update, what wonderful help you got, I'm so glad you are feeling better. Sleep makes everything seem not so bad doesn't it!

I'm so glad you updated us OP. And delighted you're getting such great care. Have some and I hope things continue to get better for you.

glad you got help.
when you're on your own, ice cubes deaden the pain and make a good shape for latching...

I'm so glad you got help, and sleep, it makes all the difference. I hope things continue to improve for you op.

DD did an awful lot of nipple feeding at the beginning! she still does when she's being lazy.

it's annoying, but worth perservering (i lost count of the times i pulled her chin down "big mouth, DD, big mouth")

I'm having to cup feed ebm at the moment to let my nips heal, one is now bleeding :( his suck is so strong he has left teeth marks from his gums!

This is horrible now he's so unsettled and rooting, and I can't just pop him on, he can't have any more ebm for now so as not to stretch his tummy.

You wouldn't have thought I was bf a toddler just 6 months ago, I feel like such a failure :(

get some lansinoh in the meantime :)

you're not a failure.

You're definitely not a failure! You're doing the best you can, which is all anyone can do.

Put some breast milk on the sore nips and air dry.
I remember walking round the house with a thin tee shirt on and the flaps down on the nursing bra trying to let mine air out from my clicking nurser who made them raw. Just don't answer the front door.