BF

[nunnie]

I have every intention of trying to breast feed again, however I am a bit concerned and worried it will end the same way it did with DD.

In the beginning I thought I was doing fine, midwife even checked as DD was a low birth weight and the doctor wanted to make sure she was latching and getting enough before we were released (well let home not released, it wasn't like a prison).

Anyway after being home a day my nipples became really sore, then it just got worse and worse, midwife checked every visit and said it looked like she was latching on fine, however she said that my nipples were telling a different story.

She told me to try and express and see how much I could get off, so I did and got less than an ounze from each. After a while I was leaking blood and the pain became unbearable, and when DD went to breast I would be in tears it was so painful. Anyway went to Doctor who said it was thrush, and gave me some tablets and some oral medication for DD. I hadn't been home 10 minutes when the midwife rang and told me not to take them as they would dry up my milk.

Anyway long story short, I was diagnosed with PND when DD was 4 weeks old, and everything became too much, so I am ashamed to say (not for bottle feeding for feeling like a failure for stopping), I transferred to bottle feeding.

Now I am pregnant again and really want to try again.

What do I need to aid in it hopefully working better for me.

What cream is best, and do you put it on before and after feeds sorry very rusty.

Sorry if this sounds dim, and needy, but it is easier asking people on here than family as very few of my family breast fed.

nunnie you had dreadful 'help' last time

Maybe you could speak to someone at length while you are still pg and get some good info that should reassure you that this time, you will find good help to feed without pain.

Thrush meds do not normally dry up milk.

A call to any of the bf helplines, or a chat with a midwife you like and trust, could be your next move.

Hope this helps.

Thank you

I rang the bf helpline, but there was no answer.
I have since found out that it is the lady opposite me who is the local breast feeding advisor. So will try and catch her one day, would rather it be someone I didn't have to see face to face, but apparently she is very good. My community midwife is lovely, but she is the same one I had with DD so not sure I will get very far discussing my concerns with her this time.

nunnie - there are four or five breastfeeding lines. Try again You should always get an answer or a chance to leave a message with the NCT bf line - 0300 330 0771.

Ohhh thank you, didn't realise there was more than one

I don't know how it works for the NCT line, but for the national Breastfeeding helpline, evenings and weekends have more people working, as they are all volunteers working at home. Daytimes are trickier.

Thanks everyone, will give one of the above a try, if all else fails I have lady across the road.