Please help - I don't want to give up bfing but nothing seems to work.

[ginaribena]

Sorry for this being longwinded but problem is quite complex! I have a three week old and it seems no matter what I can't get the feeding right.

I have an inverted nipple on one side but I have managed with a lot of determination to feed my previous 2 DSs. This side has been very sore,he was unable to latch properly in first week, then rested and expressed in order to allow it to recover (last time the sore opened into an ulcer!). Now it is healed on the outside, and I have resumed feeding but within a few days became excruciating and I resorted to expressing again. The whole nipple and areola is so tender (although not cracked or bleeding anymore) and the first few minutes are unbearable, then it eases off to uncomfortable, and then I was experiencing deep breast pain between feeds. The MW on phone suggested thrush but I'm just not sure. I have expressed again for 2 days, the pain has improved, and I have just tried to feed again but he is sucking so hard I think maybe this is what is causing the problem - within minutes I can feel the pain returning. Is there anything I can do to reduce the strength of his latch? Its not so strong on the other side. I'm feeling really emotional, have two other children to look after so expressing etc not sustainable in long run its too time consuming, and I'm just so fed up with being in pain. Keep bursting into tears as I don't know if I'll ever get this right.

Not sure I can be of help, but felt I wanted to make you feel better. I had problems to start with when breastfeeding, but persevered. The pain was toe-curling. Do you have a breastfeeding helpline in your area. Someone came out to see me one evening when things got really bad.

Hope it all gets better soon.

I can't really help, but someone more knowledgable will be along soon I'm sure.

What I do know is that if all else fails and you want to keep BF, you should be able to feed from just one side.

:( gina, what a difficult three weeks you have had .

I agree with the suggestion to talk about it to one of the helplines.

You may have some residual infection/inflammation in the breast - I doubt very much it's thrush as this is hardly ever one side only .

You can feed on one side only, as midori suggests - this is not really a big deal to do, you make sufficient milk simply by the extra 'usage', and production gradually dwindles on that side. This might be a serious option for you, as you have already been through the mill trying to do it two-sided.

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time of it.

I would talk to a breastfeeding counsellor rather than a midwife - some midwives are excellent for bf advice, but many are not. Even better if you are able to talk to someone local who you can see in person.

I had a NICU baby who was in a coma for first week of life, when we eventually started breast-feeding the pain of her sucking and my dire supply had me screaming in pain. She is now a 17 mo lively toddler who latches on perfectly, can feed upside down and is showing no sign of weaning.

We git there due to the amazing help from the breastfeeding network. My nct membership Was a total waste as they didn't help at all. But this amazing woman came to my house and explained about my terrible latch (which three midwives had said was ok) and gave me the chance to learn how to feed my very precious baby. Looking back that first six weeks was hell on earth and I wish I had combine fed as I would have bonded quicker with her, but I'm not sure I would have made it this far if I had.

Good luck.

Thanks for all your encouragement, I will try the breastfeeding network. I did speak to a lovely lady on a helpline but due to xmas period help is bit hard to come by - hopefully after New Year I'll get somewhere.

Slowburner its nice to know you made it through - you'd think having succeeded through difficulties before I'd be more confident but each baby is like a new mountain to climb. I think I'm so hormonal and emotional it isn't helping and on top of that got very demanding 5 year old who is taking his time to adjust to new baby, and a lively 3 year old it just seems that if I don't get this nailed soon I'll never make the school run etc. (Luckily my DH has extended leave from work until beginning of Feb so I have 1 more month.)