PLease can I rant....

[KirstyDaisyBBandFifi]

Hi I know that so many people have been so supportive on here and I'm sure that anyone who has seen my messages will agree I have had a challenging time with Breastfeeding.....

I wanted to rant about the healthcare professionals who have given me different advice every single time I have seen them and I think I have been led a merry dance which is why I cannot find a solution to my breast feeding issues..... First problem.. my nipples apparently... second DD couldn't latch.. Next DD had brilliant latch. Next DD could be dairy intolerant so I was put on dairy free diet... Next DD couldn't suck enough becuase of tongue tie (Also she wasn't gaining weight therefore I was told to express to ensure she got enough milk.. Tongue tie removed.... Next I was given fluconazole for thrush (vaginal) and didnot understand potential problems for DD... This made her ill so I stopped feeding her and threw away my milk.... Next she started back on my milk and all seemed great... mastitis diagnosed...... (told my hygiene was the issue!!!) Antibiotics given - made DD very colicky and vomitty again. Stopped feeding and dumped... Told lump was an abscess.... told lump wasn't an abscess... now have thrush in the breast (this I know as I had it with DD1 and it is such a specific pain!!!) - Given more fluconazole (infact GP wants me to take a two week course - Felt like giving up earlier today but currently I am still determined to keep going - even if she has formula for a month and then comes back to mty milk when things are better....

If anyone can help me to make any sense of this madness please let me know... I know that the healthcare people are trying to be supportive but it seems that nobody has the same idea at any point.....

I can totally see why all this conflicting info would leave you feeling in despair.

Tbh, I can't make much sense of it all, except for saying that sadly not all GPs and health professionals get the indepth training in breastfeeding that they need.

Good for you though for carrying on through all of this and I hope you feel better soon.

Well done for peravering,

Is there somewhere ie maybe the hospcital have and infante feeding co-ordinator or you loacl breastfeeding cafe/LLL group where you could maybe get consistant help from one source. (I know this wouldn't be medical help but at lest consitant support with feeding).

Agree with crikey a lot of health professionals just don't have the traning to give good support to breastfeeding mums and your doing so well to pursaver through all this.

Frankly, it's outrageous how the NHS provision for infant feeding support is so incredibly poor in many/most areas and that it's left to volunteers - highly trained very often (at their own expense) but not always - to pick up the pieces.

Given that it's the norm to expect a doctor/midwife/health visitor to know what they're talking about, few people realise how little many (there are some fab ones) know about infant feeding and also normal infant behaviour.

Kirsty, I know you're going through a tough time right now but when you feel up to it I would urge you to direct your frustration towards writing letters to the PCT/your MP, perhaps joining some of the breastfeeding support organisations such as LLL, ABM, Breastfeeding Network, Baby milk Action, UKAMB - whatever you feel you would like to. It is this practical kind of reaction to the hell you've been through that can help others. Thanks xxx

Rant away having failed miserably to EBF DD, it makes me that 14 years latter the advice is still crap.

I BFing DD2 for years, but she instinctively knew what to do and was born at home so we had lots of peace to practice. Also I knew the community MW by then and they were a very relaxed bunch

I also had some bad experiences with bf support. First they wouldn't discharge me from the hospital because DS wasn't latching on properly. Some teenage "bf counsellor" was teaching me to express colostrum without ever having done that herself. I later found out that was absolutely not the right technique. When I got a blocked duct, my gp (also childless) was trying to convince me that this was engorgement.

However, I am also very greatful for the support my midwife gave me. She really helped me to get my production going when I had supply issues. She also wouldn't let me settle for an imperfect latch and encouraged me to keep coming back until it was completely comfortable. All my relatives were saying that breastfeeding hurts and I should just suck it up and get on with it, so without the midwife I would not have gotten the right support. Love her!

Kirsty, well done for keeping it going despite so many obstacles!