Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Infant feeding

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

Original poster

In tears please help :(

39 replies

BuntCadger · 03/09/2012 21:14

My breasts are so painful. It's been weeks now. I saw dr about 3 weeks ago and they said thrush. Since I noticed dd has lip tie and saw hv as despite antibiotics for thrush still in so much pain.

I've been giving dd extended latch and her latching on hasn't been painful. However she did bite me last week and drew blood and the wound is still open as right at base of nipple.

My aerola (sp) is itchy, burning, red, dry and oh so painful. The slightest brush of material hurts. I tried (stupidly) cream for fungal infection just incase (dakorat) and it made it worse.

I'm say here topless, have rinsed them and expressed a little and let air dry. I just don't know what to do.
Nipple shields don't work as she's 10 months and knows what she wants (she bits shield hard). I really don't want to stop as she still dependent and at least 5x a day. I also want to feed her till she's older.

I will go back to dr but tbh they seemed clueless. I'm so so sore :(

OP posts:
lunchbox · 03/09/2012 21:20

Personally I would have gone onto bottles long ago! You've done so well to feed as long as you have.

I can't give you any 'technical' advice but have you tried la leche? They're meant to be good.

Can you express at all or is that just as painful? If you're crying, bleeding and in so much pain, stop feeding her. I know it's not what you want but I honestly don't believe in feeding to the detriment of the mothers health.

Cinderariel · 03/09/2012 21:22

I'm not an expert on on any of this and I'm sure someone who is will be along soon but I didn't want to read it and run as you sound like you need a big hug. Poor you, what a horrible situation! You have done so well, getting to 10 months but it does sound like you cant go on like this. Can you express at all? Will she take it from a cup?

vanillaskinnylatte · 03/09/2012 21:22

Can you try an ice pack on your breasts? That might help cool the area down and reduce any swelling. I think you probably need to get back to doc tomorrow to make sure the infection has gone. You might need more meds to clear it. So sorry you're in so much pain!

calmlychaotic · 03/09/2012 21:23

can you express and bottle feed for a bit till its better so you keep supply and can continue feeding when problem solved? can you speak to someone from la leche for advice. sorry I don't really know what else to suggest sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be along soon x x

Original poster
BuntCadger · 03/09/2012 21:23

She's never had a bottle (ebm or ff) my elder dc never had bottle either. I fed ds2 till almost 4 and would love dd to be able to nurse till she weaned. I really don't want to give up.

I don't know if it's thrush or an infection. Would Greek yoghurt applied help? Confused

OP posts:
needsadviceplease · 03/09/2012 21:23

Well done for persevering so far.

Do you mean antibiotics, or antifungal? ABs will just make thrush worse...

Original poster
BuntCadger · 03/09/2012 21:25

Good idea with ice pack, I've got a boobuddy thing I can wrap in a muslin. I'll call dr first thing for appt. I hate this, I live nursing her and she is so content. I don't even own a bottle or pump. So annoyed with myself too as I must be doing something wrong

OP posts:
needsadviceplease · 03/09/2012 21:26

I found olive oil the most soothing thing on thrushy nipples, btw. And super hot baths. Paracetamol made some difference. I didn't have biting to contend with though.

Original poster
BuntCadger · 03/09/2012 21:27

I was given some tablets for thrush (I bought they were antibiotics but I can't remember what it was called but not heard of them before). I tried the cream (anti fungal) tonight after bathtime. That didn't go well.

OP posts:
Original poster
BuntCadger · 03/09/2012 21:28

So does it sound like thrush? I could upload a photo Blush

OP posts:
Cinderariel · 03/09/2012 21:29

PS thrush isn't treated with antibiotics. I would ask for a confirmatory swab if first treatment hasn't worked. If it is definitely thrush, you need topical and possibly systemic antifungals and the baby needs oral thrush treatment. You may have bacterial superinfection and may need topical cream and antibiotics as well. Are you both otherwise well? Try cold natural "live" yoghurt on your nipples and for the baby too.
If you need to give up feeding her, then cold turkey is quite quick and worse for you than her but get someone else to be around and take her off you at previous feeding times.

needsadviceplease · 03/09/2012 21:31

It should have been fluconazole, is that what you had? Does sound like thrush to me but I think the only definitive diagnosis is by swab culture. Was dd treated too? The meds actually didn't work for us but homeopathy did. So much sympathy for you, it was hell - I fantasised about a bf epidural.

poachedeggs · 03/09/2012 21:31

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/leaflets-and-publications.html

On the above page, download the thrush factsheet and take it to your doctor.

You need cream for your nipples and gel for the baby's mouth - if the baby doesn't get treated then you will get reinfected :(

Mama1980 · 03/09/2012 21:32

No advice really but I understand your pain- I bf ds until he was nearly 4 and self weaned. I went through a stage like this where my nipples were bleeding and the pain was just awful. I found a cold compress directly before and after feeding helped, a bit with the pain but my gp recommended it as it also helped the vessels contract and heal quicker apparently. I havent tried yoghurt but imagine it can't do any harm.... Can you manage to feed on one side only each time to give the other side a chance to heal? And very random suggestion but I found cling film over my whole nipple area when I wasnt feeding helped stop the pain of it rubbing on my clothes. Best of luck

slightlycrumpled · 03/09/2012 21:32

IME thrush also feels like red hot poker going through your breast as well as surface pain. It was incredibly painful. I was treated with tablets & cream as well as cream for the baby's mouth. My areola was quite red and almost shiny. Gag, it makes my toes curl just thinking about it.

Poor you, it is thoroughly miserable. I hope you can get it sorted tomorrow.

Cinderariel · 03/09/2012 21:34

X post. The topical cream to use is Canesten 1% clotrimazole (Not Dakorat which will sting like %$&*) Keep in the fridge. You acn get this over the counter. You will need to wipe off before feeding. Try washing in very warm baths with a few drops of tea tree oil and a tablespoon of salt.

Cinderariel · 03/09/2012 21:37

But this is not to say that you should treat yourself - just suggestions that you may be able to snd DH to 24hr Tescos for - get to your Dr ASAP tomorrow and if he/she does not seem to know what they are doing show the factsheet and this thread and sit there til you are satisfied.

poachedeggs · 03/09/2012 21:43

Nothing you're doing is wrong! I was in my 40th month of breastfeeding when I got thrush, I thought I was a pro HmmGrin

Original poster
BuntCadger · 03/09/2012 21:47

Yes it was fluconzole (sp) so it sound like thrush then? (they are shiny) I don't get the stabbing poker pain. So incredibly itchy tho. They never treated dd

Greek yoghurt isn't live so left that. Dh out till gone 11pm. Taken ibuprofen. Took antihistamine earlier. Got cling film on and cold compress on my left. Giving up isn't an option for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
BuntCadger · 03/09/2012 21:48

poachedeggs I thought I was too. Number 3, 9/10 months in.

Is the lip tie likely to be a factor?

OP posts:
Original poster
BuntCadger · 03/09/2012 21:49

I want to try olive oil too, will it hurt?

OP posts:
LadyWidmerpool · 03/09/2012 21:50

Of course you aren't doing anything wrong, that's pain and frustration talking. These things happen, it's not your fault.

ParaOlympicpark · 03/09/2012 21:52

I used cabbage leaves when my milk came in which soothed the pain a hundred years ago, could that help! Sounds very painful. Doc in the morning?

Original poster
BuntCadger · 03/09/2012 22:03

I can hear her moaning Sad I want to go and nurse her but I'm also not wanting pain. I hope she will resettle

OP posts:
Original poster
BuntCadger · 03/09/2012 22:04

Cling film feels nicer. Boobuddy not cold anymore.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread