Breast feeding blues

[Wills]

Hi, I wanted to start this thread because I know that I'm having a crap time feeding dd2 on the breast and I can see that there are others out there also struggling. I'm hoping that others will join me on this thread that are also having a tough time so that we can all comiserate and support each other.

Becca - Spoke to the bf counsellor. She was very sympathetic and gave me help over the phone. Basically though the bad news is that I have to try and clear the thrush!!!! Which will take a lot longer using nystatin than the other stuff, however she's happy for me to phone her regularly - case of grinning and bearing it. The nystatin is unlikely to take away the pain for another 7/10 days so here goes!!!

Recently my lhs has started to engorge however I think thats because the rhs is finally picking up. However if my breasts feel limp, dd2 still manages a good feed so I shouldn't worry about the sensation. I do know they don't have to feel like they've been filled with cement to provide a good feed.

Will talk to BFC tomorrow and see If I can sort out DS latch on. If not, not sure if I should carry on expressing... I'd like to give him breastmilk for at least the first 4-6 weeks of his life, but this would mean expressing all the time... he's almost 3 weeks now. Have looked at the Ameda Egnell website (thanks jj and Karen) and if I carry on this is defnitely the way to go.

PPH, thank you so much for the kind offer. I'll let you know what happens tomorrow, but I think I may hire a biggie.

Boobs are swollen now as I don't think I've been expressing enough, but it's difficult as DS was awake all afternoon and it takes me so long to hand express, one of his feeds was all formula.

Incidentally, he threw most of his last feed up, and I then spent some valuable time recriminating myslf for making him throw up by feeding him formula. The things I do to myself!!

How long does it take your milk to dry up if you stop feeding? Doubt I'll be able to express any more till tomorrow.....

I've heard about the nipple shells and If I can sort DS out then these are defintely an option.

Thanks once again for all the support, advice and encouragement.

BR

Are you sure you are not overfeeding him??? Just wondering... he has vomitted 3 times now - hasn't he ?
Keen to hear what your counsellor says.
I wish you were shown how to hand express it can be so easy.... I am frustrated becasue I can see how hard you're trying and we are virtually there so can't see what you are doing...

As for milk drying up - it will take a while ! Won't happen over night - hence you can always start again days later !

BR - hope you get assistance tomorrow. Pupuce is so right - wish you lived nearby so that we could pop over and help you. Takes quite a while for milk to dry up - make sure you get a pump and express milk off. You will be able to reintroduce your ds to the breast when your nipples have improved. Definately get the counsellor to show you how to hand express effectively - you have no idea how many women have been surprised how easy it is once you have been shown how to do it properly. Did you manage to get Purelan or Lansinoh. Remember savoy cabbage for soothing engorged breasts.

Mears, I have the link you sent me for the Marmet technique, but I still only get drips, never a fast flow. Maybe this is one of my problems. Just expressed 1oz from lefty, which now feels bruised, but I guess it's still engorged.

The BFC did talk to me about squeezing the milk reservoirs, but I'll talk to her again today about this..... next installment in our exciting roller coaster ride of motherhood, later....

BR

I don't think the link explained about feeling down your breast towards your nipple until you feel the pea like lumps under the skin, near the areola but located in different places in different women. Those are the milk resevoirs. You then squeeze them but move your fingers around so that you are emptying all the resevoirs.Are you remembering to gently massages the breast down towards the nipple before expressing? The best way to do that is to roll your fist down your breast.Place your fist on your breast, thumb upwards then press against the breast lifting your thumb off, turning your wrist as far as it will go. Move your fist around to the different areas.
It is so difficult to describe but once it clicks it is amazing. Usually the milk dribbles out but as the milk lets doen it comes out in jets. Keep practising

Bunnyrabbit, I too couldn't quite get the hang of hand expressing. And I also agree its hard to find the time to machine express. However, as ds got into a bit of a routine at 3/4 wks - eat, play, sleep, eat, play, sleep - I was able to express with the dual attachment for 5-8mins during the "play" moment. A friend of mine got one of these bras that holds the dual attachment to your boobs so you are hands free. I think Ameda sell them too, but haven't tried it myself.

HTH xx

Also, if expressing doesn't work out, atleast you've tried and you know you've done your best. You've done so well.

Dear all,
Sorry to have to tell you but we've called it a day. The BFC agreed that DS really hadn't got it right, still tucking in bottom lip and not taking enough into his mounth, 10 minutes on lefty and the wound is reopened and bleeding.

I bought some shells so nipples should start healing now, I'm gathering loads of milk ( just poured 1oz into a bottle) so that's a plus.

DH and I talked over expressing, but this would tie me down and delay the inevitable.

My heartfelt thanks for the advice, encouragement and understanding you have all shown, without which I would not have made it through one of the most traumatic weeks of my life.

I know there's nothing wrong with formula, but I've had the damn appendages for 25 years in the hopes that I wouild breastfeed one day. The bugger is, they work fine, but DS just doesn't know what to do with them. Not a problem which I've ever had with a man before!!

BR

BR

Hey Br! Dont worry - get on with enjoying your baby. I bf ds1 through all the agony , bottled ds2 and to my horror/delight bf ds3 and still am - it wil cease to be important in a matter of months.

Sorry to read B/F hasn't worked out for you both. You gave it a damned good try. Settle down to pleasurable feeding times now. Best wishes, mears.

Hope those nipples heal soon.... at least you know you tried very hard -well done - ..... maybe next baby will be easier

BR, DS is so lucky to have such a wonderful mum. xx

BR darling, you've done the right thing. Take care.

poor br, you've done brilliantly, much better than me. hope you are feeling a lot better now you have made the decision, i certainly did, although obviously still with a hefty dollop of guilt, regret etc. but i'm much happier and more relaxed and actually enjoying him now that i'm not watching him fade away. look forward not back and enjoy the baby bunny!

BR - I admire you so much for the sheer perserverance you have put in trying to make breastfeeding a success - Im sure I would have stopped Breastfeeding well before now - you have tried sooooo hard so like PPH says - look forward not back and enjoy that darling baby

Can anyone tell me what thrush feels like? Ive checked Harveys mouth and it seems clear and his bum is clear but Im having some funny pain in my boobs - I noticed it a bit yesterday but it has worsened today. It feels like a sharp pain inside the breast ocassionally and sometimes a burning sensation??

Beca
xxx

That sounds like a blocked duct to me though... any red patch ?

Signs of thrush:
Signs of Thrush in the Mother
Intense pain in the nipple or breast that starts from the birth and is not improved by changing the attachment of the baby at the breast (for example by encouraging the baby to have a wide open mouth).
Sudden start of breast and/or nipple pain after some days or weeks of pain-free breastfeeding - the nipple may also be itchy or super-sensitive to any touch - even loose clothes.
Shooting pains in the breast (may be deep in the breast) during or after a feeding. Pain can be severe. Pain can last for up to an hour after the feed.
Cracked nipples which don't heal.
Loss of colour in the nipple or areola.

Signs of Thrush in the baby
Creamy white patches inside the baby's mouth or on the tongue, possibly far back in the mouth, which do not rub off.
Baby keeps pulling off or away from the breast while feeding; seems unhappy or uncomfortable. (This is because baby's mouth is sore).
Baby may be windy, fretful and find it hard to settle down.
Nappy rash (usually red spots or soreness which is difficult to heal)

Note: Baby may show no signs of infection.

Ive just got them out to check and cant see any redness. I did notice however after the last feed the nipple of the boob I fed off lost its colour and went white at the end. They feel slightly bruised although Im not engorfed.

Is it worth making an appointment at the docs? Im anxious not to let anything progress too much before getting it sorted.

Personnally I would ask a BF counsellor rather than a doc as they are often more competent... some GPs are CRAP at BF problem... and lead you down the the wrong path!
Is there not a BF clinic where you had your baby ?

There is an excellent Thrush leaflet... I gave the link a bit lower dow the thread... it will erxplain VERY well what you need to do.

Becca - if its thrush you're right to want to get things checked out before they progress but pupuce is right about getting hold of a bf councellor. My gp, midwife and hv all looked at my bfing and none of them spotted it even though looking back at my pictures of my dd2 in the first few weeks she has a completely white tongue almost from the start. The bf counsellor diagnosed thrush over the phone where the others had actually seen it and still missed it.

Pupuce the link was brilliant thank you. Sorry I've not been responding but dd2 is still feeding every 2 hours sometimes for over an hour at a time. She's getting the milk but because she's in pain and pulling off all the time its taking ages. I hardly ever get to the computer and if I do its because I've braved bf at the computer but haven't really mastered getting a hand free to type responses. So I've read everyones support to br and it really helped me too.

BR I think you did brilliantly and you should be proud that you did your best and now feel the best course of action is to remain happy. Good for you, well done.

I'll be honest I'm keen to do some mixed feeding but am being seriously discouraged by my bf councellor as being a backward step in terms of clearing the thrush. I'm very blue and very obviously need some sleep. My HV phoned the other day because I'd not been to weigh dd2 and I ended up in tears so now she's paying me a visit this morning.

Mears - I tried the diflucan for 3 days but it is expensive so I'm still hoping that I can persaude my gp. I went back to her last Thursday because dd2's bottom looks like an open wound and she's prescribed dd2 a steriod cream. This has really upset me - the poor thing is only just 6 weeks old and already has been to the doctors more times in the last 6 weeks than I've been in the 6 years! (slight exageration I know). Every time I clean her bottom I want to sob. I've also had it with the gels I have to put in her mouth. I get her nicely content from feeding and then have to shove the gel in which wakes her up and I then have to spend another 30 or so minutes calming her down and getting her back off to sleep. I'm now going to start changing my diet although as I love toast and use toast as a means of not eating chocolate I suspect I'm going to find it all very hard.

Sorry to moan but it feels good to talk. I'm feeling very trapped on my sofa feeding a baby whilst watching Nickjr and playing acting mummies and daddies with my 3 year old. I WANT ADULT CONVERSATION!!!!! I'm going to attempt going out this afternoon to the local zoo - wish me luck.

Wills - if you can get over this hurddle.... BF will become enjoyable... I promise
Keep talking to the BF counsellor.... and keep positing

Wills, I can only add my support and sympathy. Those early weeks are just so hard. I hope things pick up. Keep pestering people for help, though I know it's hard to find the energy to do it.

Just wondering about this so not advising anyone to do it but perhaps someone could advise if it is OK....

Wills if DD2 is pulling off because her mouth is sore then the obvious thing for short-term releif for both of you seems to be to stop her mouth hurting. I just wondered if its OK to use Calgel or something similar which gives painrelief just before a feed to "numb" her mouth a bit so she can feed in comfort.

Not sure if you are allowed to use it this young or if it would work but just a thought.

Bunnyrabbit, I really hope that you can now enjoy your baby without being in pain. You've tried so hard and suffered so much. I have to admit, I never fully realised how awful breastfeeding could be if the baby didn't get the hang of it or you had an infection - you've really been through the mill but I think you can feel proud you tried so hard - you too PPH.