Where to get help?

[PuraVida]

DD is five months old

I've written on here, and received wonderful advice, but feeding is still difficult

i have exhaused all the options

We have been treated for thrush three times.

I'm not convinced she doesn't have a tongue tie. She certainly doesn't have an obvious one. This was checked when she wad younger

The latest problem seemed to be thrush again (very painful, small white spots on areola, although DD has no symptoms. In addition to this I've got a hard lump on my areola, close the the actual sticky out bit. Has crossed my mind this could be a blocked duct. It comes and goes. Is worse when my breast is full

I saw the dr yesterday. I'd been using daktarin gel for a week, left over from the last bout of thrush, while I waited for an appt. The white spots have gone but the pain is still there. Worse on the breast with the lump

The white spots were concentrated around the lump

Sorry this is turning into an essay

The dr just did me a repeat prescription of the fluconozole, said to try not using it, see if the daktarin works alone but if it doesnt to take it

She wasn't sure it us thrush and indeed I don't have more symptoms than the pain and spots

DD has got a rash on her labia, which she had last tine I had a bout of pain / suspected thrush

The dr just said to use sudocreme but she's nit responding to this

So to summarize. I nay or may not have reoccurring thrush. I may have a blocked duct. DD may have a tongue tie. Our latch may not be great

I've had 5 and a half months of this. I'm tired, in pain and fed up. I want some help from someone I can believe in and trust to be knowledgable. I'm frustrated that I can't get the help I need. Where can I go next?

Oh also have seen local Nct counselor. Lovely and supportive with the actual bf but not so knowledgeable about the 'medical' side if that makes sense

I live in the sticks which seems to make it harder to access help

PuraVida - hope things get better for you.

I am an NCT breastfeeding counsellor. We are not trained in the medical side of things and are not permitted to comment or inform on this....though we can signpost you to where you can get advice. Perhaps your doc can refer you elsewhere? Do you have a breastfeeding clinic in your area?

I don't think we do have a breastfeeding clinic, ive not come across one and ive been scouring the Internet for anything like this. I'd be happy to travel to one

I've seen three different doctors, none were much help. It wasn't until I firmly requested fluconozole and presented them with the bfn leaflet I was linked to on here that they gave me anything other than a mild fungicidal cream

I'd pay for help but just don't know who to see or what to look for? Would be be a lactation consultant?

Thanks for replying, the Nct counselor was fab, but I think I need someone more medical

And apols for consistently misspelling counsellor. I'd blame my phone but it's prob my tired mind

You could look for a lactation consultant, but I'm not sure how much they are trained to help on the medical side. To find one close to you try Lactation Consultants of Great Britain web site.

Or you could try your hospitial and see if there is an infant feeding cordinator there who could help.

Have you been treating yourself and your baby for thrush ? Sorry I couldn't tell from your post.

With this many possible problems, a lactation consultant possibly would be a good idea.

Yes I've been taking fluconozole and using daktarin gel on my nipples and in dd's mouth. Have washed bras, bedding towels etc on hot washes. Reduced sugar etc

The last dr said nothing about treating DD, not her mouth nor her nappy rash, which is sort ofwhere I stopped believing they were as well informed about thrust as I am

I fed my DS until he was 15 months. I don't want to give up on DD but this can't go on

I will try to find a lactation consultant

Where abouts in the country are you? I second trying I find a lactation consultant. Try contacting your local sure start centre if you have one, they might know of the nearest Breastfeeding group etc.

I'm in rural north wilts and what do you know? No lactation consultant within 40 miles

I'm so frustrated by the lack of help available. Doctors seem ill informed. We have to rely on a small amount of women giving up their own time to voluntarily support people struggling. For something so important there is a dearth of help

It's terrible that the correct help isn't on hand for you

Maybe you could contact the closest lactation consultant and see if she can help, even of just over the phone?

Puravida, you post has made me feel v lucky about the support I've had and sad about your situation

I've googledbf support Wiltshire" and got the following (can't do hyperlinks as on phone):

abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-support-groups?keys=Wiltshire

www.salisbury.nhs.uk/AboutUs/media/Pages/beastfeedingsupportgroup.aspx

I attend a weekly bf group, always a peer supporter there as well as a lactation consultant or midwife. They have been invaluable to me, I wouldn't still be bf'ing 5 months on. If can get along to one, it will hopefully give you the boost you need. You've done so well to get to 5 months. Try and stay positive

Agree with Dalrymps. Somebody may travel to see you, worth an ask anyway. Or like Migril suggested, you could try the NHS infant feeding coordinator (if there is one) - ours is excellent and will often meet women at a certain breastfeeding group.

You're right - it is a shocking state of affairs that there is no one to help you. Many GPs get hardly any training in breastfeeding and the role of a volunteer bfc can only go so far, as you know.