My son is 7 weeks old and he is brilliant in all ways apart from feeding. Before he was born I would look at mothers feeding with envy and couldn't wait until that was me, it seemed so natural and right. prior to my son's birth I read up everything I could about breast feeding, I never considered formula as it was not an option... however from day 1 we struggled. First it took a week just to get him to feed, then we had three weeks of wonderful and easy feeding, then I got thrush in the nipple, then in the breast, it was agony but we carried on. Now that is gone I am still in so much pain. He eats for England!! If I express my son will take 9lbs in a feed, he feeds every two hours for at least 40mins draining both breasts and then still seems hungry. I know I am always supposed to produce as much as he needs but I genuinely feel like I am not keeping up! I have seen GP, HV and have had appointments with a lactation consultant. All say latch is fine, I don't have cracked nipples they just feels so bruised and damaged. Basically I think the problem is my son feeds so much, sucks like a barracuda and tosses his head around whilst feeding, my breasts never get a chance to heal. The lactation consultant thinks he is slightly tongue tied but not enough to warrant intervention. He also already has teeth coming up. I so want to breast feed my baby but I now dread each feed, I'll express whenever I can and have to take painkillers to get through some days... what can I do? Do I call it a day? Any help, advice, experience very much appreciated!
BTW my son was born 7.14lbs, is now over 13lbs, very healthy, growing well and very happy. He is an absolute joy!