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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Please help before I give up

47 replies

whoopwhoopbib · 07/04/2012 13:28

My DD is 2.5 weeks old and I have been trying to continue with bf but the pain is becoming unbearable but I really really don't want to stop.

While we were in hospital I asked every available midwife for help with latching on which they did so I went home thinking I was doing it correctly until my nipples cracked and became so sore I was crying before and during every feed.

I have been to support groups and phoned the helplines and they have helped with the latch but she won't take from the right breast. She has had about 6 feeds from this side in the last week and a half even though I keep offering it to her at various times but all she does is scream as soon as she gets near. I am expressing but not getting alot out and she won't then take it from a bottle.

The pain in the left breast is terrible as it is being used so often and I am worried that she isn't getting enough just from one breast.

Does anyone have any advice on what to do about the pain and also how to get her to use the right breast again please?

OP posts:

JiltedJohnsJulie · 07/04/2012 13:51

Poor you. Can't really help with the pain but I can help with getting her to take the other breast as we had this issue with both of our DC. We fed them on the preferred side first and then moved them over using the football hold. It took a few times of doing this for them to accept the other side but they did.

As for the pain I think you need some RL help now. Have you been discharged by the MWs? If so, give one of the helplines a call now. At least then you will know that you've tried everything if you do decide to give up.

The National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212
La Leche League Helpline 0845 120 2918
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers 08444 122 949

Mopswerver · 07/04/2012 14:00

The pain of the cracked nipples combined with engorgement is excruciating and you need to watch out for Mastitis which will compound the problem and may tip you over the edge!
I agree with jiltedjohnsjulie that you should contact your Midwife so that she can just check that all is well with you.
Although it's hard to believe right now, with help and support you can achieve the right outcome. I went through the same pain and anguish that you did and very nearly gave up but my midwife helped me to persevere and I am so grateful that I did. Such happy memories.
PS I swore by Kamillosan nipple cream....it really helped with the pain.
All the best.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 07/04/2012 14:02

Are you taking painkillers before you feed too whoop? Just reread your post and realised that you've already tried the helplines. Are there are local BFCs available to come out to you? Try LLL, NCT or ABM.

Don't worry too much about the supply if she is just being fed from one side either, she will get enough from just one side and the football position may help her take the other side. Have you googled biological nuturing too?

HappyCamel · 07/04/2012 14:03

Get her checked for a tongue tie and consider seeing a paediatric osteopath. Sometimes they can get a problem during birth where the muscle locks up and it's painful for them to hold their head in a certain way. My friend had this problem and two gentle massages later and her dd was feeding from both sides and sleeping better too.

HappyCamel · 07/04/2012 14:04

If you have engorgement or mastitis I found piriton got rid of it completely. I was prescribed it for autoimmune issues though, I don't know if you're generally allowed anti histamines when bfing.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 07/04/2012 14:08

Was just going to ask if you've had her checked for tongue tie too .

How are you feeling now whoop? Is any of this helping?

ConcernedDIL · 07/04/2012 14:09

Nipple shields helped me through the pain, I used them for the first few weeks to help with the pain.

Not sure if this is the right advice but I would express the one that she won't take to keep your supply up, until she eventually gets used to it. Also offer her that one first, don't let her get full on the one she likes!

Finally, I think it is a case of grit your teeth and get through it - both I and my best friend had an excruciating first 4 weeks and then once we got the hang of it, we never looked back. Do u have a friend in RL that can give you moral support and reassurance?

JiltedJohnsJulie · 07/04/2012 14:23

Have you read about cracked nipples on Kellymom?

Original poster

whoopwhoopbib · 07/04/2012 16:32

Thank you for all your replies, sorry for the delay but she was having a non stop feed for the last 4 hours and am dreading her waking up!!

Football hold - I have tried this but she won't be fooled, i've also tried to slide her across but this doesn't work either. We used to lay on the bed when we first got home but I can't seem to get her to do this either and I find it difficult to get a correct latch.

Tongue tie - two midwives had a look in her mouth when she was crying and both declared she didn't have it and I think one of the support workers had a look but she didn't make any comment.

Nipple shields - I have tried these but my nipple was still sucked up into it and I was told not to use them as they can interfere with supply??

I have been dishcharged from the midwives so am I still able to contact them? I did mention that she will only take from one side at the dishcharge appointment and all she said was maybe I am holding her differently!!! There wasn't any practical help or advice.

Sorry this is so long but I really do appreciate your help, I have just asked someone to get me some Kamillosan cream as I am already on my second tube of lansinoh!

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Pitmountainpony · 07/04/2012 16:35

Okay so poor you.....I had this last time and again this time.....went to lactation consultant and this is whatshername said to do and within2days it is painless.

Pump the breast with a hand pump as it will deflate it and make it easier for baby to latch on...this really helped me.

Make sure baby s mouth is as wide open as poss and she has her mouth with more of the areole below the nipple.

Go on youtube and watch the positioning.....I had this wrong so it was harder for baby to get a good latch......they almost need the nipple slightly above as if drinking from a water fountain.

Put lots of lanolin...well not lots but regularly on nipples.

I was in agony and bleeding but within 24 hours pain was gone.
Good luck with it.....try everything before yougo to formula if breast feeding is what you wanted to do. I promise that once the painful bit is past it really gets easy. But I know how dreadful the pain can be and how preferable it seems to switch to formula when something is just so painful to do.

Pitmountainpony · 07/04/2012 16:36

If you do not want to get a hand pump just do it by hand......just getting milk out of the breast makes it so much more comfortable.

Original poster

whoopwhoopbib · 07/04/2012 16:40

My right breast doesn't appear to be engorged it feels floppy and empty so I really am hoping that I can get the supply going again because I think this could be one of the reasons she doesn't like it as it pours out of the left so she doesn't need to do so much work.

OP posts:

Pitmountainpony · 07/04/2012 16:41

Oh my dd would only do one side......it was because she could not get boob in her mouth as it was too full......lac lady also said kind of hold bottom of breast like a sandwich by kind if compressing it in your hand into a flatter form rather than an orb so the baby can get latched on otherwise it is like a big basket ball coming at them....imagine apple bobbing.....tricky to get your mouth onto something round and full from milk.
Ironise you will feel such relief if you can just deflate your breasts a bit...especially if they are going hard with milk from baby not latching on enough.

Pitmountainpony · 07/04/2012 16:44

Pump the floppy one....it will also increase supply.doesnt matter what you do with the milk.....you can freeze it for later or let your dh feed her from a bottle if she is over a month old...sorry have not read whole thread.
You could also just pump and bottle feed with pumped milk till boobs are less sore.....but not recommended till baby is 1 month to avoid nipple confusion.

Mopswerver · 07/04/2012 16:44

I'm sure you have tried everything but agree with concernedDIL, give her the other boob first. Put her on her side on a pillow then lie next to her so that she is directly facing the boob. Come on baby...you can do it! [busmile]

Pitmountainpony · 07/04/2012 16:48

Cross cradle hold is what works best for me...again YouTube it to see it.....all about the head being at the right angle so they latch on deep enough.......that is the usual reason reason you get that pain...the baby is not getting enough breast in the mouth...just the nipple which becomes grazed.
Try phoning la lech league also......looking back I wish I had paid to speak to someone as the pain was so great....but just get back I touch with midwives but sometimes they do not know about bread feeding........I bet someone expert will be on YouTube....I need to see the position live rather than a picture myself.

Original poster

whoopwhoopbib · 07/04/2012 16:51

Thanks Mopswerver I will try her on a pillow at the next feed, just so I get it right do you mean for me to lay on my left side so my right breast is high rather than laying on my right and my breast touching the bed as this was the way I was shown in hospital?

OP posts:

Mopswerver · 07/04/2012 17:48

The one you intend her to feed from should be on the bottom if you are on your side. Move the pillow with her on it until you get into the best position for both of you. It's a bit trial and error as you know so you will have to busk it a bit. Pitmountainpony is right, get the whole nipple/areola in the mouth and hold her head there.

I like the sound of the 'You Tube' demos. They didn't exist in my day but I bet they're helpful too.

nearlyreadytopop · 07/04/2012 20:38

have you tried laid back or bio nurturing position? I found this really helpful with getting a good position and latch.
I would say a session with a cranial osteopath who has experience of babies and breastfeeding might help with the one sided issue, it certainly helped my son.
Also, tt, I lost count of the number of midwives and even an ibclc lc that missed my sons tt. As a last a resort I phoned milk matters and I only wished I had done it sooner milkmatters.org.uk/
Take it one feed at a time and use paracetamol and ibuprofen

HappyCamel · 08/04/2012 08:37

I agree with nearly ready except you are allowed paracetamol but not ibuprofen when bfing.

Mopswerver · 08/04/2012 08:48

How are you getting on?

tiktok · 08/04/2012 09:05

canmel, ibuprofen is considered safe when bf:
toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT

Where have you heard it is not?

tiktok · 08/04/2012 09:06

canmel = camel :)

AbigailAdams · 08/04/2012 09:22

Another one recommending getting checked for tongue-tie. I had 4 midwives telling me DS2 didn't have tongue-tie. Saw,a specialist and it was. Had to bang on tables to see her but it was well worth it. Within 48hrs I was seeing improvements. NCT or LLL might be able to give you a name of a tongue-tie specialist bf counsellor if your midwives don't know.

AbigailAdams · 08/04/2012 09:26

Glad to know ibuprofen is OK. That got me worried having just spent the last 2 weeks munching my way through several packets due to back ache

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