DS (first dc) is 2.5 weeks old. We had a very difficult first few days as he wouldn't open his mouth so we switched to formula. Then when my milk came in i decided to give bf another go, using nipple shields. I expressed a bit to build up supply and we weaned him off formula top ups. He has been ebf for the past week.
Have tried a few times to feed him without nipple shields and he is now capable of latching on properly but it feels like a wrestling match and he KEEPS coming off after less than a minute. I get exhausted relatching him. After about 10 mins of this we're both frustrated and tired out so I stop but then he's hungry again 10 mins later. The only way i can feed him in comfort is lying in bed, using a nipple shield. He'll feed for up to an hour this way.
I (mostly) quite like feeding him in bed, though it can get pretty boring but if i don't learn to feed him sitting up and without nipple shields then I'll never be able to go out.
The week before last i got mastitis (the infection kind rather than the blocked duct kind). It was hell for a couple of days til the antibiotics kicked in. This morning I have woken up with the other breast feeling sore (though I have no flu-like symptoms yet). I feel like I just can't take any more! He seems to feed mostly every hour in the daytime (though will go up to 5 hours at night - phew!). I feel like bf is making me depressed but giving up would make me probably even more depressed. It feels like a lose lose situation. I really don't want to ff but struggling so much with bf :(
On a more positive note, he's healthy and gaining weight well. I met my hv last week and she's also a bf counsellor. She was helpful but i feel like i need someone to help me with every feed.
Sorry this is long!