19 do - back to bf

[hotcrossbun83]

Ds is 19 days old and due to various problems has been bf with and without nipple shields, syringe and bottle fed (expressed and ff). Yesterday I went to a drop in session to get back to bf, my nipples have healed a bit and I think the shields are making things worse as it hurts even with them.

We managed to get him to latch on one side at the session and late last night I finally got him to latch on the other side. But he fed from 12-6, then would only sleep on me, and from 8 onwards has either fed or screamed. I guess he's cluster feeding to get my supply up but I'm exhausted, will it get better? I tried to feed him lying down but couldn't latch.

Also my nipples are getting sore again, going to another drop in session today so they can check latch but it must be inevitable with this much feeding.

Hi. Have they checked him for a tongue tie? Both of my children had them and it was very hard to get breast feeding going, constant feeding for 20 hrs in 24, which then causes cracked sore nipples. However we had them snipped and it was great after that.

Even if it's not that and you have ruled out tongue tie - it will get better, and there are plenty of ways to help your nipples heal. I def wouldn't use nipple shields personally because they made mine worse. I stopped using breast pads too because they really dry your nipples out.

After a bit of trial and error I found it was best to slather loads of lansinoh on after every feed and wear a tight bra (non-underwired). To start with you think it will hurt more but actually the pressure on your nipples helps to stop leaking and as long as you have loads of lansinoh on your nipples don't stick to the material. It's also better not to use cotton but some kind of synthetic material because cotton can also stick. You'll need about 4 because obviously they end up needing loads of washing but it saved me.

I had such trouble with bras and pads sticking to the scabs then pulling them off every time I took them off it was grim. However once I discovered the lansinoh the cracks healed very quickly and because I put the lansinoh on after every feed, they never cracked again.

Good luck, and please believe me when I say that it will get better. As soon as you've cracked it you will be so happy that you persevered and you will be so proud of yourself. It doesn't seem worth it now, but it will do very soon, I promise.

Thanks, I'll try to go without pads and I have a synthetic feeding top bra thing so will wear that tonight.

Two different lactation consultants have said he has very slight posterior tie but it's not affecting feeding. We are really getting the hang of it, ds latches on straight away and they say latch is good, but god it hurts! Not sure if it's the cracks that are healing or just general pain. It's so annoying, I feel like we're getting there, but I can't take this pain for much longer. Is it wrong to insist on cutting the tie just in case it's the reason?

If you are in pain, how can they be sure that the tt isn't affecting feeding? Just curious.

They think the pain is from the cracks and will improve. I'm pretty sure it's because the nipple is not deep enough in his mouth, it comes out flat, but I can't get it any deeper. Could that be due to Tt? I also have quite flat nipples which isn't helping.

I'm tempting to insist on Tt being cut but feel mean if it's unnecessary!

I think if it's hurting like you say, it must be the tie affecting things as I've had very sore, bleeding nipples (was in tars every latch) and as soon as the latch was right, I was pain free and the damage healed very quickly with the aid of lots of lanisoh and breast pads.

Are the 'lactation consultants' you've spoken to international board certified or do they just call themselves LCs?

Not sure, they were at nhs clinics and one also answers the national helpline, that's how I found out about her clinic.

I went to the GP today and she also doesn't think it's tt, she thinks it's just my flat nipples that have been shredded. The pain's too much now, taking a break and will express what I can. It feels like the end of the road, I know something's not right but can't find anyone that can help.

I really recommend you get that tongue tie snipped. So often I meet ladies who are told that their babies have "slight tongue ties", which actually prove to be anything but once they start snipping.

The shape of your nipples shouldn't make a huge difference - it's breast feeding, not nipple feeding - baby should be working at a big mouthful of breast.

Some mums find breast shells useful. They are plastic cups with silicone edging. They hold the nipple away from the fabric allowing air to circulate and healing to take place. They have the added benefit of catching any let down that you can store to save the faff of expressing.

Hi hot cross - didn't want to read & run. Sounds like you've got some good advice & you should be really proud of yourself for getting this far.

I clicked on as my LO is only 21 days & while I've not had it near as tough as you he has been feeding non stop & will only sleep on me! So I understand your frustrations there. I keep being told it will get better!

Best of luck to you & congratulations on your baby.

I would also get the TT snipped. Everyone insisted DS's latch was fine and his TT wasn't to blame for our feeding problem. I eventually got it snip privately at 6 six weeks....made a big difference.

Still feeding him at almost 2!

Thanks all. I'm going to try and see a lactation consultant that can also snip tt, will make some calls tomorrow morning. The waiting list is pretty long apparently so I guess not worth waiting to convince my GP if we then go private anyway. I really hope this is the answer and I'm not just clutching at straws.

I've decided to keep trying yo fix the problem but not to feed in pain anymore as it doesn't get us anywhere. I would be so happy to have a pain free feed!

I hope the Lactation Consultant gets this fixed for you. It makes me furious how mothers have to fight for such a simple procedure. GPs are unfortunately rarely helpful - they only receive 20 minutes training on breastfeeding, so unless it's a personal interest, the vast majority know far less than the average nursing mum.

Dr Jack Newman is a Canadian doctor specialising in all things breastfeeding. Try looking on YouTube for videos of his deep latch technique. It can be really helpful to get mums through the painful feeds whilst waiting to get a tongue tie snipped.

Hang in there! You're doing everything right.

We had Tt snipped this morning. He has grizzled since and I feel like mean mummy.

More of a problem is that after 3 days on bottles he won't latch. I'm not sure I can see someone to help over the weekend and worried about my supply if I leave until Monday so I'm using a nipple shield and it's already rubbing. Not sure what to do - risk re damaging my nipples which have healed quite well or risk my supply. Thinking f being strict with 20 mins each side only then top up if needed.

One thing you could try is hand expressing into a large bowl or jug (easier to catch, and less brutal than a pump) and then cup or syringe feeding until you can get help with latch and positioning. This might help your baby not to become reliant on bottles.

You might like to get in touch with BfN, La Leche League or NCT to see of any of their peer supporters are available to help you over the weekend.

Good Luck!

Also, try rubbing your sore nipples with breast milk. It will really help to speed the healing process. Squeezing a few drops at the beginning of a feed may encourage your baby to latch too.

Did they watch you do the first couple of feeds post cut?

I would try and call for advice if you can. Really they should be available for you to contact afterwards for support. We're you given excesses to do to stretch the fenulum? These are pretty important to prevent reattach meant.

In the meantime, call le leche on 0845 120 2918. They are lovely and give great support and advice.

We could not get him to latch after the procedure, she stayed and tried with me for a while but he wasn't hungry and was screaming from the procedure, in the end she gave up. She did say I could call but not sure what she can do over the phone.

I'm hand expressing already to save the nipples but he's had bottles for 3 days now so too late to stop the reliance maybe, I've had to use bottles before and got him back on boob quite easily so have maybe been a bit complacent, but he's been guzzling milk and weight gain isn't great so I'm not sure I could have done it all by syringe.

The shield opened up one of the cracks again so I think it's a bad idea, other side was ok so will try him on that side again in the morning. Just as I'm tying this have had a message from a local lactation consultant saying she'll call me in the morning so fingers x she can do a weekend visit and I'll try lll as well, thanks

I would rec Lanisoh.

Already piling it on unfortunately, going to try paraffin gauze, should arrive at chemist tomorrow