Going to express today. Think it's the start of the end of bf

[soppypreggyloon]

dd is 2 weeks old. I am in serious pain all the way through every feed.
It's not Tongue tie- had snipped day 3.
It's not latch- had checked by 11 people now.
It's not thrush - never been pain free, dd has no symptoms and had checked by 2 mw.
I think it's a combination of strong let down, very efficient feeder who has a strong suck, and frequent 1-3h feeds. (she feeds every 1-2h throughout the day!)

I'm so sore and don't want to break out the formula yet but I need a break.

Any tips for effective expressing?
With ds I could do 3-4oz in 15 mins.

I don't think I'll miss bf!

As babies grow they palette issues tend to resolve themselves so there isn't a problem there - you just need to find a position that gives you a good, pain free latch. The latch needs to be deep - google asymmetric latch or deep latch to see examples of how to achieve this. Also find a qualified BFC in your area and get then to help you - forget the local HCP - they've already shown their terrible lack of knowledge and endangered your bf relationship with your baby and you have every right to feel angry and let down about this.

Hi Soppy. I really feel for you. It's so hard and with your situation impossible to deal with along with the tiredness. It can takes weeks for some women to get painfree breast feeding and to be honest why should you suffer while your waiting it's important to enjoy these early days and weeks in my opinion more important than breast milk (no doubt many will disagree!!) You've done a brilliant job already so it sounds to me like your doing the right thing right now to deal with the situation while still giving your little one some breast milk. Do some mix feeding and see how things go and if the pain improves you can review the situation then. Giving your nipples a break might help you to keep up some some breast feeds without the tourture. I hope tonight goes easier for you.

Well I gave her 3oz of ff and then she had another 4 bf through the night.
Left side is very sore but right (the blistered side) was agony! :( I couldn't lie on that side afterwards and have hurt my tummy muscles from tensing during the feed. I can't feed on that side while it's blistered.

I've looked at her palate and it does look very high and arched. I'll mention that to bf counsellors but unless it is likely to sort itself in days rather than weeks then I think I'm going to be done with bf.

Blisters are horrible and are actually caused by baby having a bad latch. Even if you correct the latch the blisters will hurt for a few days afterwards. I found Lansinoh cream helped a lot. But it should resolve quite quickly if you could get the latch issue resolved today or tomorrow by a BFC.

If you express you can always try feeding again. I had to pump at first for DD but she was ebf by 6 weeks. And feeding a one month old is so much easier than a newborn.

Are you taking painkillers ? sounds like you need them

Think I'm done with bf. I've got more blisters and according to kellymom they're not due to bad latch but a blocked duct. here

I'm pumping that side and feeding from the other and giving ff. Dd seems fine with boob or bottle but I'm happiest with bottles as it doesn't hurt.

Not managed to speak to BFC yet so that's on the MUST do list for tomorrow. From what I've read though it seems like I'll have to keep pumping or go through the pain barrier. Neither if which seems realistic with toddler at hone and dh back at work next week.

hey soppy you sound very down and fed up, and I can understand why... especially when you've seen so many people who have tried to help.

MWs are very good at the birth bit. Not all of them are fully trained in the bfing bit. Same goes for HVs, they have a huge age range to look after and can't necessarily specialise in bfing.
OTOH I've met some truly inspirational bfing cllrs from LLL and indeed from ABT. They really really know their stuff and they listen....
Can you try calling one of the helplines? Get a BFC out to you TOMORROW (if not before ) and see what they say.

If you can crack this (and you can), bfing with a toddler in tow is utterly doable and I'd almost argue easier.... you can do this, you just need some expertise. I don't know where you are but if you want to PM me I don't mind doing a search for some BFCs for you

Thanks mummyelk

Hv rang today to arrange first meet with her. He's given me numbers for local people for BFC support. I'll ring them once I've recovered from the terrors of food shopping with a tired toddler!

To be honest though I'm very close to saying I just don't want to bf anymore. I've never (with either child) had anything other than a painful, demoralising, exhausting experience and don't think I can put myself through it anymore.

I'll see what BFC say but think they'll have to be pretty persuasive.

Well I went to the infant feeding clinic today and as with ds they hadn't snipped dd's Tongue tie properly!!!
they snipped again so I'm gonna try bf again but it's still sore. She suggested no ff and keep bf although this was before she saw the state of my blistered nipple. Am gonna try again but must admit sitting there thinking "I don't actually WANT to do this anymore"