Is it time to give up?

[nicodemus]

I have been BFing for 6 weeks now and it has been a nightmare. First in the hospital the nurses seemed to take over and latched DD on for me and I ended up with splits around the base of both nipples - these have never healed. Cos I have big boobs I found positioning a prob and her soft palate has been rubbing the nipple and making things worse, although am now trying different postions to try and solve this. I have also had a severe burning pain when my milk comes in, akin to being scalded and general soreness and discomfort ALL the time - I cannot cuddle DD against my chest or bear any touch at all. The nurse diagnosed possible thrush in breast yesterday but the GP disagrees and has given me Keflex for mastititis (although have no hardness/redness on breasts(. So at this point do I just give up or is it worth perservering for a little longer - I keep waiting to turn the corner but it keeps getting further away!

Have you talked to a breast feedin counsellor ?

If you do call it quits - congratulate that yourself that you go tthis far - and she has had 6 weeks of benefit.

please don't give up!!
i thought my boobs would never stop hurting, but things calmed down eventually
have you tried 'Lanisoh' on your nipples. i applied it after every feed and it made a difference.
I have huge boobs and found that traditional cradling of dd in crook of arm on feeding side was best for me. i also bought an inflatable feeding cushion in Boots which helped to sort out position. she lay there while i manoevered the nipple.
i found that a warm bath/hot cloth helped to soothe the soreness.
you're doing great to be bf at 6 weeks
persevere if you can ((hugs))

Hi...
I had sore breasts for the first 6-8 weeks, but I think it was because I was getting overly -full. Have you tried nipple shields for the splits? and Nipple cream? Ive heard one beginning with L meantioned alot on here before (Lanisoh?). Is it sore if you took a break from BFing and tried expressing? Agree you should phone a BF counsellor... they are much more experienced than me! Tiktok might come along soon. xxx

6 weeks was the turning point for me, when things started to get better. Congratulations for reaching this far in difficult circumstances! If it could be thrush, then you need to get it diagnosed and treated, both you and your baby, maybe another docter or bf counsellor could take a look?

Sorry, forgot to say in the early days I BF with DS under my arm, legs pointing to my back, on a V pillow.

Sympathy as I gave up at 6 weeks. It does sound like thrush, though and a lot of GPs don't know anything about it. The antibiotics would only make it worse. Maybe try a different GP and get some proper anti thrush treatment.

You have my sympathy - I had similar probs, compounded by an allergic reaction to the brand of nipple cream I was using.

If the pain continues after you have finished a feed, then I suspect your nurse is right. If it is thrush, the bad news is that according to my midwife and GP, there is no systemic anti-fungal licensed in the UK for breast feeding mums, although there is something that is unlicensed that some GP's apparently will prescribe. My GP gave me canesten to use externally on my nipples, which you have to wipe off before feeding, but I did not find it made much difference. When the pain started lasting from one feed to the next and I was in tears during feeds, I gave up and put dd on formula. She seems happy enough, and I no longer dread feeding her.

I was really sad to stop breast feeding, and it took me about two weeks to come to terms with that was what I was going to do - during that time I was expressing milk and bottle feeding dd at most feeds, as that was less painful for me, and for some reason the pain didn't last as long after feeds when I expressed. I have to say, that now feed times are enjoyable and always followed with a good long cuddle, whereas before they were an ordeal, ending with me not wanting to hold dd because it HURT! I also suspect I was not letting her feed as long as she wanted.

The La Leche league website has got some useful info under the heading 'Yeast', but their information archives are US based, and it seems that there are drugs licensed there that are not licensed in the UK. Another US website with useful info is breastfeedingonline.com

Your midwife and/or health visitor may be able to help with the diagnosis as well and offer suggestions on how to deal with it - my MW was not averse to ringing my GP and telling her what to prescribe!

I hope you find a solution that works for you. Best wishes.

It's a pity so many health professionals aren't clued up on thrush treatment. Although fluconazole isn't licenced for breast thrush it is the recommended treatment - it's used at high doses in the USA and known to be safe.

So many women give up because of thrush (including me), it's awful.