Am expecting no 2 in Jan and want to avoid same experience of bf I had with no 1.
Dd was normal delivery but had an epidural and assisted third stage so ended up in hospital for 3 days. Struggled with latch due to inverted nipples and after 3 days gave dd ff.
when I got home MW advised me to use nipple shields to help with latch and milk came in so bf went better.
However I also developed a lump when milk came in. To cut a very long story short I was given a succession of antibiotics which made me and dd sick. Also turned out were not needed as was diagnosed with a galacatocele that I eventually had removed by surgery .
In terms of help I rang hospital bf counsellor on day after she was born but didn't hear anything for a week. Also tried to call nct helpline and la leche (about 5 times each) but never managed to speak to anyone so gave up.
After 6 weeks of feeling sick due to antibiotics, discomfort due to lump and struggling with nipple shields I gave up.
I do want to try bf but frankly my experience made my first few weeks as a mother very hard (I was already emotional and had been seeing a therapist due to history of pregnancy loss so was already vulnerable ).
What are my best sources of help and when should I get it? As I said above I havent had best experiences of bf so need to work on the emotional side . I am worried about being left to it again practically and I really don't want same physical issues I I can avoid it.
Any tips/advice welcome.
Thanks for reading.