Breastfeeding is getting me down

[MumOfOne14]

Since my DS was born ive had problems BFing he had tongue-tie which caused major latch problems, so I started using nipple shields which actualy helped a lot!! Then I developed what I thought was a blocked duct but turned out to be a breast abscess which was pretty big & had to be drained 3 times (25ml each time) then it burst & milk was leaking out of the top of my breast & had a nice big hole in my breast for about 3weeks. THEN... I managed to get Thrush! Which I'll tell u is extremely painfull, & the pain is just getting me down now. My DS is 9weeks old now & ive been in pain pretty much everyday, but I can't quit cos I know I would regret so much. I'm just fed up of crying & being in pain.

Ack :( :(

Talk about working your way through the book "Breastfeeding Problems"......what horrible luck.

Abscess of the breast is really awful, and now thrush :(

Have you had a chance to talk to someone in real life about all this? Are you on the mend now?

You must be the most positive person in the world! Your title says it's getting you down but most people would been in despair and no longer feeding.

You've had more problems in 9 weeks than most people ever have. The fact that you've fed through it is awesome and if you wanted to stop that would be fine. Carrying on, also fine.

Do you have any breastfeeding support you can access in real life? How are you feeling now?

Goodness you have been through it. So sorry. Hope you are physically on the mend now?

I had thrush feeding my son agony ! My dr prescribed a strong anti biotic which sorted the pain in two hours I carried on for 16 months. Will you Dr give you smthg ? X

You poor thing. I had a very similar start with my first, thrush is agony. I was prescribed an anti fungal tablet (fluconazole) and an oral gel for the baby and it went away very quickly. We then carried on feeding for another 16 months. Generally feeding got a lot easier as time went on, and their mouths are bigger.

Have you seen someone to check if it actually is thrush? And been prescribed something if so?

You are doing amazingly well to keep going. As i see it you have 2 options (1) persevere and perhaps seek support from others who you can at least share experiences. I believe there are support websites and groups on Facebook which are really good. Or seek out a breastfeeding clinic/cafe-your health visitor may be able to recommend (2) stop.
Only you can decide what is best for you and your baby. If you do stop please do not see this as failure. I firmly believe a happy mummy makes for a happy baby.
My DD is almost 4. I intended ebf. Day 2 after a protracted labour and sleepless night/day in hospital, i was physically shaking with tiredness and DH gave her some formula. I continued to bf for 3 months with nothing like the issues you have encountered, with the occasional bittle if formula or expressed breast milk thrown in. This was the right think for us (though it took me a while to reconcile myself to it). DC2 is due soon. i plan to bf, but will be digging out the bottles just in case.

Good luck with whatever you decide x

Thank you so much for your replies. We do have a few support groups in my area, im going to one tomorrow, cos ive been back & forth to Drs & hospital for last 6 wks I hadn't had a chance to go. I've spoken to my Dr abt thrush (only over the phone) & she gave me clotrimazole cream for my nipples & drops for my DS. But still so sore & painful on each feed. Hopefully they'll take a look at me tomorrow & help me then. My Dr was reluctant to give me fluconazole cos it goes through ur milk, but it's either that or quitting now cos I can't take the pain much longer. But thankfully the abscess is fully healed!! :)

There is a breastfeeding network print out you could take with you about fluconazole showing that it's safe

Certainly I've found the creams don't do much
I'm a doc and would happily prescribe if diagnosis certain (& sounds likely here after having antibiotics )

You've really been through it op and gone above and beyond what most would to bf. As pp have said if you want to carry on and can access local support then that could be a big help but if you want to stop then stop- no one should have to go through pain every few hours every day. Good Luck op

Well I'm doing better... :) went to a breastfeeding group & a midwife there gave me a different nipple shield to try & the pain has almost halved, so I'm feeling so optimistic now!! Still treating myself for thrush, but hopefully will clear up soon as my nipples aren't being rubbed raw thanks to the new smaller shields!! Thanks everyone for all your help!! Hopefully that's it now & can breastfeed peacefully from now on!

I thought I'd experienced it as bad as it can get (ductal thrush and mastitis with DC1 which made me cry through feeds) but your abscess story really made me flinch.

Amazing you've kept going after that!

Make sure you get the proper treatment for thrush, which includes fluconozale, cream for you and gel for baby, because thrush can bounce backwards and forwards between you and baby for ages. Also cut out sugar until it's gone - thrush apparently thrives on sugar.

I struggled for three months with us passing it backwards and forwards between us until it spread into my ducts (like having broken glass in your breasts - worse than childbirth imo) and I was given a treatment print out by a breastfeeding group at my local hospital (possibly the one mentioned above). It was only then that the GP treated it properly and we could move past it. FWIW - I ended up breastfeeding for 15months after that.

Nothing further to add to previous posters OP, but just wanted to say that you are amazing to have persevered with BF having gone through all those problems! I read something on a BF support group that said something like 'never quit on a bad day', which for some reason helped me when I was having problems BFing. I was lucky that things did get easier for me as time went on and I continued, but when I was considering stopping BF I told myself that I had given my baby a great start for BFing any length of time at all and that it was better for my baby to have a non stressed, not in pain mother. Good luck, whatever decision you make will be the right one for you and your baby.

Just an update.. I'm all better now & am still breastfeeding. Hoping to carry on another 2 months before I go back to work! Thank you all for your help & support!!

:):)

Great to hear. Well done!

Well done

Brill well done!