Please remind me why bf-ing is worth it - day 4

[CheshireSplat]

I've posted for tea and sympathy!

Struggling with feeding DD2 (only 4 days old) due to cracked and bleeding nipples. I have great RL support from DH and professionals. Started expressing this evening to allow nipples to heal and if they are getting better tomorrow I'll get the nipple shields out so she doesn't get too used to the bottle. So all under control (for the moment - only 5 hours ago was freaking out as blood was bubbling out of DD's mouth...)

Anyway, I fed DD1 for 8 months and loved the convenience of it and have really fond memories of some feeds, like walking in the Lakes and the Alps and sitting on a rock feeding her. So please remind me of why I should persevere, how much easier it'll be etc to stop me jacking it all in in the next couple of days.

And how long did things take to calm down for you? I know day 4 is so early but in these early days the hours feel like weeks.

Thanks lovely mumsnetters.

Keep going in the knowledge it will get better! Both my kids have such good immunity levels and hardly pick up illness which I'm hoping is because I breast fed. I have wonderful memories of watching the full box set of Breaking Bad while feeding. I watched the lot in 2 months. Time well spent.

4 days was the worst for me both times, hope you get through today then tomorrow will be a little better.

Good luck OP! Hope it rapidly gets easier. Worth a go for no bottles to be constantly washing and sterilising plus cast iron excuse to sit and do nothing, cuddle baby and watch TV (never quite managed to be able to hold a book at the same time)

Ah blanket, breaking bad, now that's classy.

I used to flog it on daytime tv every day!

Oops that was meant to be I used to watch flog it!

Cabbage leaves and Lansinoh are your friends!

Bonuses - you know! Snuggles, feeling all cuddly as your dc latch on without pain... Being able to feed anywhere and it costing nothing, losing weight, the health benefits - bf babies can be so much healthier and more resistant to bugs than bottle fed ones.

My nipples and letdown hurt for about a week after DS and then they were fine, and I bf for 3 years. You'll be fine - hang in there! X

It's cute

All the above:) dd2 is 9 months and has a sicky bug right now. I'd be scuppered if I couldn't bf her! Comfort, hydration and immunity in one happy package! She's my third baby and the first few months were hell, tongue tie and utter agony for me. I thought of giving up, and for me that is a real measure of just how shit it was - I feed dd1 for 18mo through undiagnosed tongue tie and extreme reflux, then managed to exclusively bf my ds even though he was born at 26 weeks, involving months of expressing and hell with latch. But dd2 was the one who nearly broke me!!! 9 months on, one snipped TT, and I'm so glad I persevered. This bit is the reward after the agony!

Ha ha Voyages that typo made me laugh. I also used to watch Towie. I just hope my boy doesn't turn out to be a fake tanned drug dealer because of my viewing choices.
Breast feeding is like childbirth in the way once it's over you forget the pain and recall only the good bits.

Convenience. Being able to do night feeds barely waking up. Lots of spare money for chocolate.

Hang in there!

Ah, day 4 is the worst isn't it? Hope things come better for you soon. Do your hospital have breast feeding peer supporters that come to see you?

OP, good for you! Your determination is very admirable. I'm currently BFing 10mo DD2 and I don't ever want to stop. But I'm not sure I'd have had your fortitude if I'd been expressing pure blood at the beginning, and I'm a staunch BF advocate.

The first two weeks for me were very painful (but nipple shields and cream help). After 3-4 weeks though it was pain free and relatively easy.
The bonuses:

1. It's free.
2. No faffing with bottles.
3. Helps you lose weight not with me though as I used it as an excuse to eat more cake

In the meantime get lots of nipple cream and insist on sitting on sofa for a fortnight being bought food and snacks whilst watching boxsets and cluster feeding.

In all seriousness my midwife told me that if you can make it through the first fortnight then it all gets a lot easier, and I would agree. xxx

Hi everyone

Thanks, you've got me through the dreaded day 4. On day 6 now and have fed her for 24 hours now (on nipple shields), so we are out of the woods and continuing with little pain. You guys are great!

And Flop, yes, they're brilliant up here. Went to baby cafe this morning and have been offered daily visits if I need them! I'm impressed by how well resourced it is.

Hello all.

Yesterday I was using the shields for every other feed, just to take the edge off and give my nipples a rest. I've also been putting breast milk on before lansinoh (great tip!) and it seems to be working

Feeding is still painful, but only for the first 30 seconds or so and not unbareable unlike before.

I'm going to take a nosy at the post natal thread too.

Keep going everyone

Well done for persevering - having had a baby the same age as a relative who for it was very obvious after the first few weeks all the extra faff involved and stuff to carry. Boobs are great

Who ff *

Yay, well done Duck! Sounds like you're making great progress.

Three words: feeding lying down.

Great, glad you're doing well and being looked after

The big eyes gazing at you over the hill/bump of your breast (delete as appropriate!).
The closeness of your relationship.
Total love from a tiny baby.
Better poo!
Immunity.
Poo stained clothes/nappies that magically get clean in sunlight.

It will get better. It will get better. It will get better

Put loads of lansinoh cream on them! You can do it

Oh yes downy! – and the way they kind of flap their hands and feet to and fro in bliss while feeding. I'd forgotten that!

Perfect excuse to escape from the in-laws, "I'm just going to go upstairs and feed the baby". And no, MIL can't help. :-D