Best at-home breastfeeding advice?

[Muntjac]

I am currently taking a course of fluconazole for possible ductile thrush, but the symptoms do not seem to be easing and if this isn't the condition I have, then I can only assume that my symptoms (very painful breasts- whole breast including nipple- both during and even more so after feeds, with occasional shooting pains and some small white patches on the tips of my nipples) must be caused by bad latching on.

In which case, I would like to get some advice at home from a real expert - someone who can advise me on latching on in positions that suit me better, and who really knows their stuff rather than just someone who has read all the textbooks and done all the training.

I have been to a few breastfeeding drop-ins run by my local council (North Herts) and they are very supportive but I tend to get slightly different advice from all the people I see, which can be frustrating. The only consistent message I am getting is that my baby's latch looks textbook - but there must be something wrong if I'm in this much pain.

So, if anyone can suggest either someone specific in the North Herts area who is brilliant at breastfeeding advice, or an organisation that employs people who can do home visits and are really exceptional in this way, please let me know.

Many thanks everyone.

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Muntjac, I don't know anyone in North Herts but if you ring the breastfeeding network helpline you could ask about lactation consultants in your area. They are highly skilled medical professionals (it's a 3 year degree course following a good deal of required medical training) but likely to cost a bit too.

I'd say though that it does sound like thrush - the shooting pains after the feeds are the real tell tale sign. Are they treating your baby too (it's usually daktarin oral gel) and are you adopting a scorched earth policy with clothes, bras, breastpads etc? If not it's very likely that you aren't able to shake it because you keep getting re-infected.

Really good luck - thrush is a nightmare, but can be beaten.

Have you tried the NCT?

HERTFORDSHIRE LLL Bishops Stortford: - 01279 508595

• 01279 718236

LLL Chilterns: - 01442 864796

• 01442 879572

Here are LLL groups in Hertfordshire. HTH

Thanks everyone - I'll try all of the above ...

That really does sound like thrush, I had it when DS was about 4 months old and god it was excruciating.

How long have you been taking the fluconazole? I needed 17 days in the end before it cleared.

Limit sugar in your diet, wash your bras at 95 degrees and hot iron the cups, change breast pads at every feed, washing all bedding and pjs etc at 60 degrees. You can also try taking grapefuit seed, many MNers have had success with that.

With the latch, what does your nipple look like after a feed?

Have you and your baby been treated at the same time?

Also, one of the key indicators for a problem being thrush is - did breastfeeding used to not hurt? Or has it always hurt?

(And alibaba's question is good - what shape is your nipple after a feed?)