Can't go on, can't stop. Feeling miserable.

[Chocolocolate]

Currently desperately trying everything to encourage my 4mo dd to latch on the breast. Seems we're very very slowly getting somewhere.

At the moment, the majority of her milk is expressed.

I struggle to express enough to feed her so have been taking Fenugreek and Domperidone which seems to have really helped.

Two days ago, expressing started to become painful.

Today it's so painful I can hardly bring myself to hold the pump to my breasts on the lowest setting.

My nipples are covered in an angry, painful red rash - I think it may be an allergic reaction to the Domperidone as I had a similar thing happen in the early days of feeding in response to Penicillin for mastitis.

Don't want to pump, but if I don't I'll probably get mastitis again and my supply will go down.

Need to stop Domperidone but if I do my supply will go down.

Fed up of pumping and trying to latch dd on but really really don't want to give in and formula feed.

Oh goodness you poor thing, I didn't want to leave this unanswered and hopefully others who know more will be along in a mo. First thoughts could it be thrush? The pain is just dreadful but with the right meds it can be cleared up. Google the breastfeeding networks info leaflet on thrush. Alternatively I wonder if you're reacting to either the steriliser you're using to clean the pump or even the plastic of the pump itself... if you're using milton or similar can you try steam sterilisation instead. Really hope things improve.

I'm wondering if it's thrush too. Can you get a GP appointment? (if it's like mine, push for an emergency appointment)

Do you have any success with hand expressing?

Thank you for your comments.

Unfortunately, I can't express a sufficient volume of milk with hand expressing. I use a steam steriliser.

I actually have a GP appointment booked for this evening as I was going to ask to be prescibed Domperidone to save me paying for it. Not sure if they will but hopefully they'll have some ideas on this problem. I don't hold out much hope though as I've had some very negative experiences with GPs regarding breastfeeding help :-(

I hope that it is thrush as at least that can be treated.

Really wish dd would latch on.

I expect you have tried this already but if not have you considered shields? They are to be used with caution but they helped my baby latch on and might offer short term relief? Poor you, it sounds awful.

Also have you taken paracetemol and ibuprofen?

I really hope the doctor can help you and that u are able to get some support on breast-feeding and improve things. Does sound like it could be thrush which is treatable. Have you looked in side dc's mouth too to see if he had it. There would be white stuff in the mouth ( if it was milk it you would be able just to rub it away gently) if she has it then ut could be causing her pain and also contributing to the not latching properly. And please op ( and don't flame please I'm not saying give up for a second!! ) whatever happens don't beat yourself up about it you have done really well and pushed thru alot of pain by the sound of it and it's amazing how hard you are trying and the lengths you are going to!

How did you get on with your GP, OP?