I'm having such a difficult time feeding

[LittlePink]

we're going through a very rocky stage bfing at the moment and I'm in a really bad place with it.

I keep getting milk blisters which make it agony to feed on the right breast. I'm getting depressed about it because it's so painful. The breast isn't emptying and I've just got over mastitis in the same breast.

Ds won't take a bottle and if he did I would probably call it a day on the bfing. I don't want to but the pain is awful and is making feeding miserable.

I saw a specialist at a bfing clinic yesterday who said his latch isn't good but it works for him so he's learnt to feed that way and has ended up damaging my nipple in the process hence the recurring blisters.

She showed me another position but I don't find it that comfortable and the baby sitting up facing me position doesn't work for us. I'm doing the rugby hold position but it's still hurting me.

I made the decision to just express from the right breast and let him feed purely on the left and express the right but that didn't work when we were out today as he wanted both breasts.

I don't know what to do. I can't cope with these blisters. They're hell and they're making me miserable and scared when a feed is approaching.

Bless you it is a hard time.
I don't have huge words of wisdom just that most mums I know that bf found it hard for about 12 weeks then it was a breeze.
good luck and fwiw I don't believe a bottle of formula every now and then to give you a break is a bad thing. Although I know thrr are others who won't agree.

I forgot to add he's 18 wks now and bfing was going really well until I got mastitis and the first milk blister a couple of weeks ago. It went away after some antibiotics but another one appeared a few days ago. I don't want to keep taking antibiotics all the time

Is a blister the same as a blocked nipple pore, or a milk bleb? If so, I've had a similar problem with recurring blocked pores, leading to painful blocked ducts, and nearly stopped bfing because of it. I attended an emergency appointment on a Sunday just before Christmas, in absolute despair, and the GP recommended soaking each nipple in salt and warm water before and after every feed. I did this for 5 days and the crisis passed (the blister had scabbed over, as I'd unsuccessfully tried to unblock the pore myself with a sterile needle).
I have continued to soak both boobs about three times a day for a couple of minutes each side. It is a bit tedious, but if I slack off for a couple of days, I end up with a bad bleb, and painful blocked ducts. Not worth it! The salt rinses are miraculous, and have enabled me to continue breastfeeding.

I put 3 teaspoons of salt in 250 mls of warm water as my 'maintenance dose'. If I have a bleb, I increase the salt content to 4 teaspoons. I always hand express after about a minute of soaking to check that all ducts are flowing. Make sure you rinse thoroughly with plain warm water afterwards.

DS has just turned one, and we're still going strong. Good luck.

Have you got lansinoh? And nipple shields? If not then get some to use. They didn't take the pain away for me, but they did make it manageable!

Was also going to suggest nipple shield for the right breast- worth a try

Yes they are milk blebs. I've had 2 now. One a few weeks ago which healed for a few days then it came back again. Ds has started biting now too which is pure agony on top of an already damaged nipple. Then he also pulls off and stretches my nipple with him as he goes and it's terrible! I can't give up bfing as he's a total bottle refuser so need to get through it and get this nipple better!

I've been using Lansinoh and putting olive oil on me breast pads too. The bfing lady said not to use nipple shields as another mum at a play group recommended I try them. The clinic lady said ds could get confused by them and start to refuse the breast. She said it's all down to his poor latch and positioning. I have found the rugby hold more comfortable than the cradle hold but it's still sore regardless but a bit easier. I will do the salt thing. Thanks. Is it normal salt or is it Epsom salt?

On me= on my!

Just regular cheap table salt. By the time I started using it, my pore was scabby and infected and I also had nipple thrush, so I do sympathise with your pain when feeding. The salt is antibacterial, which is another bonus.
I had a lac consultant check DS's latch, which was a bit shallow and he also loves to pull backwards on my nipple. He hasn't changed much, but I'm much firmer with my hand on his back, which seems to stop the worst of the stretching!
Since using the salt soaks regularly, I haven't used any creams, oils or ointments. I don't need to! I really hope it works for you.

I'd second salt washes. My DD is 12 days old and has ruined my left nipple. Salt wash after every feed for 5 days has healed the bleb. I literally dunk my boob in a bowl of salty water for 5 mins. HTH