Really really struggling with breast feeding DD2

[Pennies]

Following on from my earlier post about the weird stuff coming out of my boob (semi solid boob cheese) as a result of clogged ducts I'm really having problems with it all.

Main issue is that this gloopy cheesey stuff has been coming out now for 3 days - so surely if it was clearing the blockage it shouldn't be coming out anymore, so something is still causing a block - but WHAT CAN IT BE???

The nipple on that side is in a truly sorry state - cracked and bleeding and agony. I have stopped feeding on that side now and express every feed - there's just no other way for me.

So down and depressed about this. Am worried that whatever blokcing my ducts is something sinister and the whole situation is getting me down. Seem to be constantly in tears. Had a horrible day yesterday as a result of it all.

Can anyone tell me if it is normal for this stuff to keep coming for days, rather than for specific incidents? What should I do about this?

I cant really give you any advice-the best support and knowledge i received was from an NCT breastfeeding counsellor.They will give you phone support-Have you spoken to them in the past.
They really do seem to know everything about Breast Feeding-far more than any health visitor in my opinion

Pennies - sorry you are having such a bad time. Can only agree with notasheep. You COULD try NHS24 but in my experinece they are are no use - defo try the NCT line. I would be worried too in case it was pus because of an infection. i guess you knwo that if it is you might need antibiotics. As far as I know its fine to just go on expressing to give your nipples a break.

how old is your dd?

sounds like an infection to me, you probably just need some antibiotics thats all, phone your out of hours gp.

my dd destroyed one of my nipples so i sympathise with you

I'm on antibiotics already as was re admitted to hosp last week because of some unidentified, tho probably was mastitis, infection.

DD is 13 days old.

can you phone a midwife then, you should be able to get one to come and check you over

La leche also give phone support and are brilliant. THink they have a web site. THe internet will also tell you about trained bf counsellors in your area look it up in google. Do you have any close friends who bf? Lie in the bath with nice warm water and put warm flannels on your breasts it feels wonderful. Also cabbage leaves are supposed to help.

DH tried to phone. MW don't want to know as I've been dischraged now.

The breastfeeding network give very good advice IME. Would defiitely try them or NCT/LLL before other health profs.

Good luck. I hope this clears up soon for you.

phone the maternity ward and speak to a midwife there, explain you don't know who to ask for advice....(iirc midwives will still do home visits up to 28 days if there is a problem-obviously not well promoted due to time restraints but ASK them)
hope it goes well....let us know how you get on xx

You should have been allocated a health visitor who took over your care when the mw signed you off. If you can't get hold of anyone else then contact her.

Agree with the others that a bfing counsellor is the best way to go. Try the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers. Please don't suffer alone. Or you could try La leche

ABM Telephone Helpline
The ABM's breastfeeding helpline telephone number is 0870 401 7711 and it's open every day from 9.30am to 10.30pm.

la leche

Their telephone number is 0845 120 2918

It sounds like a positioning problem to me. The blocked duct will not clear, and could lead to mastitis, if you do not get your baby properly positioned at the breast. The fact that one of your nipples is quite sore and cracked is also an indication of this.

The best advice I can give you is to call a breastfeeding counsellor (don't worry about it being boxing day - the lines are still open and no-one will be cross about you calling. Call the ABM on 0870 401 7711.

I agree, call a counsellor. They will probably be pleased to have an excuse for 20 minutes away from their families. Good luck

definitely contact a bf counsellor.

in the mean time just keep expressing from the blocked one as much as possible - nonstop for as much as you can. If you are NOT feeling fluey, I would think you do NOT have an infection in there. Sounds like a stubborn blockage but Keep it flowing as much as possible ought to prevent a worse blockage and mastitis. Not knowing for sure what is going on is the worse part along with feeling alone in this situation. it sounds like you have prevented mastitis for 3 days by draining the duct so it must be doing good.

If nobody else is around, call the hospital and ask if you can come in and talk to a midwife. There is nothing sinister going on - I suspect you are thinking daft stuff about cancer, aren't you? Forget it. The position of the baby on the breast is clearly wrong otherwise your nipple wouldn't be wrecked - I had the same problem after successfully breastfeeding ds for over a year so was v suprised by the pain second time around. I'd forgotten how carefully you need to position a newborn - unlike a one year old who can latch himself on upside down! Once you get the position right, the rest of the problems will go - I promise!
To clear I found the best thing was to sit in a warm bath leaning into it so the breast was in the water, and hand express into the water. You can be there for an hour or so but it is weirdly fascinating watching the milk spiral into the water! Press on lumps and sort of knead the breast downwards. You will see when you are pressing on the right places as the milk will appear in delicated little jets in the water. You can take some paracetamol for the pain, and maybe a nice glass of wine tonight.
Good luck!

Also, ibuprofen is really effective. Have swerved off quite a few blockages from becoming worse with this. Sympathies though, I got mastitis in 3rd week 2nd time round.

kisdee you have articulated my feelings exactly, esp re. the lonliness. DH helps so much with DD1 but can't help with this prob except by feeding and watering me.

callede the nct helpline and talked stuff through which was helpful.

the cattlearelohing - you're spot on re. thinking the worst. i had skin cancer earlier this year and whenever anything goes awry with my body I immediately assume it's related to that. i also fed DD1 for 10 months until July this year so have been stunned by these problems - thought I'd have an easy ride.

sorry re. no caps and typos. holding baby.

Big sympathies btw - I cried buckets when I was having probs with dd - posted on MN about it and gots lots of lovely help and sympathy. I thought it would be so easy and was incredibly shocked when it was painful and I was so engorged etc.

But I got the latch sorted with a breastfeeding counsellor at the hospital and some antibiotics from the gp and everything has been fine and easy ever since - until I got mastitis the other week! DD was ten months and I was so shocked. I think it was because she was teething, had chewed the nipple a bit and an infection had got in. And was very surprised by that too. But I must say, I am personally very pleased I did manage to battle through the early problems - upsetting though they were - and carried on feeding. I was lucky and got good help though - on MN and via my GP and the bfc.

It's so reassuring to hear someone else has had exactly the same experience. What is the age difference between your two?

NCT lady told me to express from the bad side and to give it to her in a cup. Just tried that - it was messy and took bloody ages and isn't really an option for me with DD1 being only 15 months, and very interested in her little sister and not open to reason yet. So will give her the milk in the forbidden bottle and to hell with it. Am banking on the fact that I am still feeding on the other side so can avoid her forgetting how to latch on.

Pennies, many sympathies, and just to say it is possible to move to exclusive bf having given a bottle (be it EBM or formula) in the early weeks - ds and I are proof of that - although it might not be ideal, try not to worry too much about giving the bottle. I don't have any advice for the pain/blockage - our problem was jaundice, bad advice at the hospital then breast refusal. But wishing you all the best and you've got great advice here.

you don't have to bottle feed. if you have a little cup from a cough syrup bottle, or even a spoon, put some milk in it and tip to form a little lake at the baby's lips. let baby lap the milk.

full instruction taken from here :

Procedure for Cup Feeding

Wrap the baby so the cup will not be knocked.
Support the baby in an upright sitting position.
Fill the 30 cc medicine cup at least half full with breastmilk or formula.
Place the brim of the cup at the outer corners of the upper lip, resting gently on the lower lip with the tongue inside the cup. (Some term infants may prefer their tongue under the lip of the cup.)
Tip the cup so the milk is just touching the baby's lips. Do not pour the milk into the baby's mouth.
The infant usually laps the milk, or may sip it.
Allow time for the infant to swallow.
Let the infant pace the feedings, but limit the length of the feeding to approximately 30 minutes to minimize fatigue.
Stop to burp from time to time.
Leave the cup in position during the feed; that is, while the baby rests, do not move the cup from this position.
Do not attempt to cup feed an infant who is not alert or who is excessively sleepy.

oh, a baby's bottle cover, like the avent ones also work.

Pennies, ds was 3.3 years when dd was born - I have an excuse for forgetting!
I did give a few bottles of formula when I was at my worst and in pain, and went right back to exclusive breastfeeding and dd seems none the worse for it. It wasn't what I wanted, but at one point even the thought of feeding her made me want to cry. I kept bottles to the absolute bare minimum and kept feeding on the other side and it was fine.
But do get help. What amazed me was the vast difference the tiniest tweak in positioning could make. Like night and day.

How are you doing pennies? Better I hope!

glitterfairy - sweet of you to check up on how I am. Better thanks. I decided to continue expressing on the sore, cracked and bleeding side until it heals better so am on my second full day of doing that now so hopefully we can resume normal bf'ing soon. Still getting some lumpy stuff coming out but not as much as before. To be honest though not having the trauma of the pain of her latching on on that side for the past few days has been a big help - it was really getting to me. NCT bf'ing counsellor gave me good advice as well and reassured me a lot.

Got my first day alone with DD1 and DD2 tomorrow - 15 month age gap. It's going to be tough - I did a practice run on the bedtime routine last night and came to the conclusion that if that is going to be the pace of my full days with the two of them then I'll lose this pregnancy weight in no time!.