Breast feeding hell!

[Claraloumum]

My little ds has spent the first week if his life permanently attached to my boob- and I mean for up to six hours at a time! He seemed to just be nibbling and not really swallowing. I was totally exhausted not getting any sleep, so he got formula a couple of times to give me a break. The peer support worker kept telling me he was latched on fine, but I knew he wasn't. After seeing a different midwife, I changed positions and he fed really well - for a day. Lots if gulping and dripping from the other nipple. I even got 6hrs sleep in 2hr shifts. Today, he won't latch again and is shallow sucking and falling asleep after 5mins. I am an emotional mess- can't stop crying and my anxiety levels are through the roof! Any advice/ help please!!! (He is gaining weight etc)

[Claraloumum]

Enormouse - how do I do that? Sorry, I've never posted on here before!!

[Claraloumum]

Ugh am I supposed to hate every minute of this?!??

[TheScience]

It gets easier... soon it will be easier to continue than stop.

[Laquila]

Just catching up on this and wanted to echo commentsabout not worrying too much re foremilk/hindmilk. I got myself in a bit of a tizz about this but I reckon I was overthinking it. At this stage you might find that the small amount you can express will fill him up anyway, given in a feeding cup, so if you're in a shed load of pain you might consider doing that for a day or so? We did and it was the only way I could get through!

[Claraloumum]

Well, it's going from bad to worse here. His latch seems to be getting worse and I'm in a lot of pain even when not feeding. Walking round with heat packs stuck to my boobs to ease the pain! I've seen four different health visitors/midwives who are bf advisers and I still can't get him to open his mouth wide enough. I am sobbing all the time! I would love to stop but feel like a failure if I do! It's a no win situation - emotionally I can't stop but physically can't go on!

[Laquila]

Oh God I feel so sorry for you! I promise it does get better but I know it makes no sodding difference when you're in so much pain :) I found an extra layer of cottonfabric in my bra helped, also a gentle warm hairdryer and using bamboo/cotton washable breast pads, rather than disposable.

I had the exact same problem with my boy not opening his mouth wide enough - I really think he just needed to grow a bit bigger and get better at feeding - he just needed to practice! Have you spoken to La Leche, or even managed to get along to a group?

[Claraloumum]

Been to two local groups! So far 5 hv/bf specialists have seen him and said he just has a tiny mouth and I gave a small aerial but large nipple, and he just can't get it in properly! I have managed to get 3 ounces by pumping every few hours so have been starting off on the breast until I can bear the pain no longer. He then gets expressed milk. I am going to try nipple shields again and take each day/feed as it comes. If I can stick it out maybe he will get the hang of it one of these days!

[Claraloumum]

Grr predictive text!!!!

[everythinghippie29]

Aww go you for working so hard! Sounds like you are doing as much as you can so o hope he grows (and his little mouth) soon if that's the only real issue now!

Got everything crossed for you that it gets better soon but you are certainly not a failure (as you suggested in a PP) if you do have to stop. You should be really proud of all that you've done so far keeping your little guy fed and despite all the discomfort you have felt!

[Claraloumum]

Thank you!! Been expressing most feeds since yesterday and I have to say, it's the most relaxed I've felt since he was born. It's been lovely just snuggling him without the cringing feeling before a feed!

[Laquila]

Well done for all the expressing! I found it a huge relief even though it took us about an hour to get a feed down him...

[everythinghippie29]

How's it going Claralou?

Hope you are still getting on with expressing and enjoying cuddles!.

[Claraloumum]

Still expressing!! Think I've gone into over production now as I am very engorged and in agony at times. Going to see dr on mon as I am getting shooting pains all the time- can't see any signs of thrush but want to rule it out. Would love to be able to cut down on the amt of time spent pumping esp at night but I think I'm past the point of no return lol!
Changed bottles from TT to Avent which has Made a massive difference to the time he takes to feed. Pumping is taking less time too so maybe, just maybe I might be able to do this. If only he would latch on and suck properly- sigh!!