Agony

[BrieMonster]

And there I was thinking we were doing so much better this time..!
DS2 is 11 weeks and about three weeks ago BF really started to hurt on one side. I kind of ignored the pain/thought it would go away. Last Friday I had the revelation that it wasn't. But that's the day of my local BF support group (who I rate very highly) so have needed to wait another whole week. 24 out and it's hitting me how excruciating it has become. I'm so gutted that after a tough start we seemed well on the right track and now this.

Not sure what I'm expecting from this thread.. have called LLL (again, thinking what the hell can be done over the phone) and am awaiting a call back. I think the support group tomorrow is my best bet, as I'm sure it's down to positioning. But 'laid back' didn't work for us so I hope they've got something else to suggest!

So, nipple pain on right side, agony at each suck but also a wider nipple problem, as if there are crumbs caught between his lips and me (can't think of a better description.. and no I assure you it's not the case!!) but then a proper post-feed boob-ache as well. The latter might be normal?? I've heard people talk about let down pain etc but haven't ever felt it. It's often lower and to one side though. I have googled this to death but if anyone has anything to add, or just some sympathy, it's all gratefully received. I do get the lipstick nipple so it's got to be latch, right? So what the hell went wrong?

I really don't want to give up.

All is not well when "I want a cuddle" from my toddler fills me with dread!

oh you poor thing. HOpe someone more helpful will come along soon, but I would take painkillers before a feed if you are not already doing so. I remember the awful pain so well

Thanks so much Humphery.. I haven't been, as I thought I'd have to be on them 24/7! But I think I will take some today just to see me though until the clinic tomorrow. Incidentally the pain began around when we started to give him a dummy. Didn't think it'd be an issue as he already takes a bottle once a day. But maybe it will be our downfall after all!

LLL woman was fab. (In case anyone's as reluctant as me to ask for help over the phone.) Might have had a revelation.... will report back.

I wouldn't worry about taking painkillers all the time if it gets you through a few days. Post section women breastfeed with painkillers in the system.

Hope you are feeling better soon

Yes it is latch, especially if you have a lipstick nipple. I remember having pain with dd, but it was because she was v small & my nipple wasn't going far enough back into her mouth, but was rubbing on the hard part of the roof of her mouth.

When she's latched on, her lips should be spread & curled back (a bit like a child's drawing of a seagull - sorry hope that makes sense!). You may be able to see a bit of the aereola on the top of your boob - that's fine & normal. I've also had the "crumb feeling" & I think it was to do with the nipple not being far enough back in dds mouth. How big is your dd?

Do you have the pain in between feeds? It could be thrush if so

Oh I really do sympathise although I'm afraid I don't have much useful advice. Post-feed pain could possibly mean mastitis or thrush, though? Good luck.

Thanks very much everyone for your replies. I spent the day using the rugby hold which certainly reduces nipple pain. I had ruled out mastitis due to having no fever yet I see now that's not always a symptom. And he doesn't seem to have a thrush like mouth so had assumed that wasn't the case either. Bring on the clinic tomorrow!!
Glad I'm not the only one with imaginary crumbs on my boob! DS (although he does get mistaken for a girl -so pretty) is small, not even 5kg at 11 weeks. But he really seemed to have it nailed for ages.

Anyway thank you again. Hoping tomorrow brings wonders.

Oh and yes of course, I am post-section myself so was drugged to the hills for days. Hadn't really made that connection oddly. Still have about 50 tramadol somewhere!!! (Will stick to paracetamol for now though.)

Oh my god! I have that on one side too, a weird scratchy yet achy pain on one side - I guess bread crumbs is a good description! It's awful at let down (I have a really painful powerful let down anyway) but it eases up as the feed goes on. I find myself having to breathe as if it were contractions!

I had it with my first dd too. If I had the choice to express from that one rather than feed I would.

I also get a really deep achy pain inside my breast sometimes, is that what you mean?

Yes that too... But sometimes "really frigging sore" is the best description I can give!
Non-committal update: clinic was lovely. But got the old 'let's try laid back breastfeeding' suggestion. And of course it worked a treat in there, both sides, no pain before or after. Now I'm home and just can't get it together. Everything hurts and we can't suss the laid back position when there's no midwife watching.
Thanks again everyone. Have the GP on Tuesday and another clinic opportunity so will try and relax and sort out positioning by then. We didn't think it seemed to be mastitis or thrush but I'll keep an eye on other symptoms so I have something to report on tues.

One thing that seems to help for me is using soft washable cotton breast pads (mine are Avent) rather than disposable ones - even the softer disposable ones aren't as comfortable, IMO.

Also, have you tried a warm hairdryer on the nipples?! I also put those little handwarmers down my bra and line my bra with an extra couple of bits of fleece fabric - warm nipples are happy nipples!

Hadn't ever need breast pads so no.. But love a warm shower and I do use the hairdryer on them!! MIL gave me cabbage leaves to try which I did out of politeness but almost screamed the house down with pain. And yet I left them on for a minute wondering if I just needed to break through the pain barrier. (Not the case.)

Bizarrely sometimes the laid back works. Sometimes normal cradle doesn't hurt. And sometimes rugby hold doesn't. I'm sick of it being an issue but will bash on for now with my varying methods... Lansinoh does seem to help too.

Oh I really do feel for you. We're three weeks in and are just about at the stage of being able to feed now without me having to bite down on a wooden spoon to stifle my cries!

I find n rugby ball and side-lying latch worked for me in the early days but now we seem most comfortable with cradle hold or cross cradle.

The other thing that helped for me when my nipples were cracked, bleeding and scabby (sorry!) was putting Lansinoh on them and then leaving them out in the open air - no bra or clothes - so they could stay moist. Obvs this is only practical if you can stay indoors and don't have nosy neighbours...;)

Doing the lansinoh/air thing just now!
GP today who gave me daktarin in case it is thrush. And clinic again today too.. Midwife thought he has a bit of thrush in his mouth so glad I got the prescription beforehand anyway. AND she reckons he does have slight tongue tie despite everyone else telling me no for weeks. I didn't even ask, she asked me if I knew. Might not be impacting feeding but will keep and eye on it and maybe ask (again) for a referral.

Feeling ok. Still sore but hoping a combination of the gel and my version of laid back feeding will help. 3 months down, 3 to go and then hopefully it'll only feel right to carry on.