My baby is due a feed and I'm dreading it

[BeetleBaby]

but also really want him to wake up to so the pressure in my breasts will ease

My nipples are so sore and bruised feeling I can't latch him on properly because I'm flinching so much.

Since this morning I keep getting a pain on the right side of my right breast that goes round the armpit and makes my arm ache.

All my limbs ache and I've not felt warm all day.

DS slept longer last night (yay sleep!) but I've spent the day in agony with overly full breasts and letdown pains so intense I have to stop what I'm doing.

The let down is also so fast I've soaked through all my nursing bras and have changed outfit 4 times today leaving nothing clean and dry that I can feed in tomorrow.

Because of the fast let down I have to latch DS on, take him off so he doesn't choke on the fast flow then put him back on, more pain for the sore nips

DS is 4 weeks tomorrow but we only got feeding from the breast when he was 2 and a bit weeks as I was so engorged he couldn't latch onto my flat/inverted nipples. Last week was such a high, I really enjoyed feeding but today I've dreaded every feed. Sorry for such a negative thread but DH isn't home from work and I've no one to moan at, at least no one who can talk!

He's had a growth spurt and your producing more milk, express some bm so your more comfortable, start with the painful side first, sounds like you may have a blocked duct, expressing will help, my boobs used to fill up like boulders, also a warm bath will help.

it gets better, you are doing a great job, getting a baby to bf at two weeks you deserve a medal.

in terms of feeding clothes, cheat, buy a couple of vests wear under a normal top, pull your top up and your vest down, hey presto a feeding top, will be much cheeper too.

a good moan is good for the soul, you moan away

also rub some bm into your sore nipples it really helps

i have been freezing all day hence i didn't pick up on that, have a couple of paracetmol if yoor temp is up, phone local walkin clinic if it doesn't ease

Have you got a thermometer? Can you take your temperature?

terrible spelling but you get the jist, get well soonxx

You poor thing. Sounds as though you could have mastitis, especially the part about not feeling warm all day - have you taken your temperature? Is there a hard red patch on your breast? More information here. I would get in touch with a breastfeeding counsellor asap to help with letdown problems and sore nipples, and see a doctor in the morning if you are still feverish as if it is mastitis you may need antibiotics.

Oh poor you :(

I second expressing some (hand expression prob gentler on nips)

I know it can feel relentless but you're doing SO well :)

Make sure you are drinking lots if fluid

Keep an eye on temp etc - incase its mastitis

(un-mumnet like hug)

Have you heard of biological nursing (also know as laid back nursing)? It's a way of letting baby latch on themselves and allows baby to pull back from the let down if needed. It also has the benefit of gravity lessening the force of the flow.

Kellymom has some good info here on dealing with forceful letdown and info on how to deal with/identify mastitis/blocked ducts here.

It might be a good idea to speak to a breastfeeding helpline today to get some help with dealing with the forceful let down/poss. mastitis so you can get on with enjoying baby without discomfort.

Hope things get better soon.

Thank you all for replying. I've fed DS and while not enjoyable it wasn't agony compared with earlier today, so hopefully things are easing a bit.

I hadn't thought of mastitis (no obvious redness) and was thinking there might be a touch of thrush, either way DH has stipulated I will be phoning GP for a same day appointment tomorrow.

I've had a look at the biological nursing info and will be giving it a try. It's not something I've come across though we've had lots of skin to skin, especially the first couple of weeks when I couldn't feed from the breast, so it seems a natural progression.

It's just typical that the specialist BF Clinic at the local hospital is closed this week but you've all given me some great info and advice, so thank you again.

Thrush usually presents with stabbing/cut glass in breast type pain which goes on between feeds as well. More info on thrush here and also info on nipple pain (sometimes thrush is 'diagnosed' when it is a latch problem).

The pain that you describe puts me to mind of a plugged duct (info on the mastitis Kellymom link) but I'm no breastfeeding counsellor so don't take my word for it!

I'm glad the last feed was not unbearable, it's horrible when it hurts to feed isn't it? Hope the next feed is even less painful.

Sorry missed a word - should read ductal thrush usually presents.......

Definitely see your GP asap, I had the same symptoms, the redness didn't come out for a couple of days but it was mastitis - you will most likely need antibiotics.

You can also take paracetamol and ibuprofen whilst breastfeeding, might take the edge off for tonight.

We never had thrush but my god did I go through the pain barrier (repeatedly) for the first weeks so I understand where you're coming from.

Agree with the advice already given, warm bath and expressing to try and relieve the engorgement. You could give nipple shields a go but they don't work for everyone. Lansinoh ointment is your friend.

My nipples hardened up after about 5 weeks, I was on the verge of giving up but so glad now (at 22 weeks) that I carried on. It does get easier.

Good luck

beetleBaby - during these very very early days of a new baby, do not be shy in calling Healthcare Professionals. From what I remember, you might still be "under" the maternity ward at your hospital and your can call them 24/7. They should have a BFing expert. You could also insist a Dr comes out to you.
Or try your HV team, or there are other BF helplines (NCT/La Leche etc). They may charge you for the call but one thing I learnt from having 3 babies is that health advice needs to be pretty immediate during this very special and trying stage...

Oh - and paracetamol? Lansinoh? Ask a friend come round to put a wash on for you and hang it out?
Congrats on your baby btw.
It's still early days.