Help with BF & destroyed nipples - 3 day old baby

[BobbysBeardOfWonder]

My friend gave birth to her DS on Sunday; due to massive & horrendous complications following the birth (not a CS) she has to stay laying down, including for bf.
As a result of laying down & not being able to see him properly, DS isn't latching very well, and her nipples are already wrecked and are turning black :( She has managed to express a little but not enough to give her nipples a break for more than 1 feed.

She's not getting much help from her hospital, and doesn't know whether to keep trying to feed her baby directly or whether to express more & feed him from a cup. Does anyone have any advice?

Her DS has slight tongue-tie (which is being looked at in a few weeks) but seems to be feeding well despite all the above. My friend is obviously in massive pain from the birth, subsequent surgery, & sore nipples and is finding the whole experience quite overwhelming and upsetting :(

Any advice?

[rowingdowntheriver]

Just wanted to add that you can buy nipple shields from boots and mothercare to use while feeding. They stop the nipple damage but can interfere with building up milk supply slightly. Might be worth trying in the short term while her nipples are so damaged?

[sharklet]

I agree that a proper breastfeeding counsellor is the way forward. In the mean time - when my nipples got ripped up and sore I used nipple covered from Boots. I did not use them for long but they helped bridge that gap whilst I healed.

[BobbysBeardOfWonder]

Hi everyone, just wanted to say thank you again for all the advice. Molly my friend rang Ann and she came this morning, snipped the TT & helped massively with bf. My friend is hugely grateful

[thisisyesterday]

oh i'm so pleased for her. I've heard of Ann Dobson via various BF links and she certainly has a great reputation :)

i hope the feeding is more comfortable now

[thisisyesterday]

when she is better and feeling up to it, she might like to consider complaining about the lack of care though!
i know it's not something she probably wants to think about right now, but breastfeeding rates are never going to rise unless women get support in hospital, and things won't change unless people shout about it when the right care is not forthcoming.

you shouldn't have to pay someone to come into the hospital should you? it makes me angry/sad that this is happening, and people who can't get outside advice or pay for help just end up having to give up breastfeeding

[BobbysBeardOfWonder]

I totally agree. I briefly mentioned to her how bad I thought the bf care was based on what she'd told me; I had great support with my DD in my birth centre and it made a massive difference.
First time mothers are so vulnerable

[Needchoco]

I would not touch Katie Fisher with a barge pole. She "diagnosed" various gynaecological and endocrine issues as the culprit for breast feeding problems. I researched what she told me and didn't make sense. Then I called my endocrinologist and gynaecologist and told them about it. They were pulling their hair. They couldn't believe somebody who is not a medic would make such sweeping statements with no real diagnostic basis. Imagine the damage in confidence and health she can do to someone!