Hi, I was wondering if anyone can help me!
I had my baby girl on Sunday morning by emcs after a failed induction. I also needed a GA as the epidural stopped working half way through so pretty traumatic.
From the moment I had her passed to me she has been feeding and before my milk seemed to be latching very easily and staying on the breast for 30 mins each time.
However my milk came in overnight on Tuesday and since then I've found it very difficult. Baby fusses and latches and unlatches several times getting very distressed in between but will eventually settle. The problem is that my nipples are in absolute agony. They are cracked and bleeding despite religiously applying breastmilk and nipple cream and I am at my limit and so ready to throw in the towel. We have had a long stay in hospital and have had mutiple midwives and the breastfeeding specialist check her latch and they have all said its good. The supply is also good, I've been able to express about 100mls in 20 mins per breast since the first day. I also have huge boobs which might be the problem?
I'm desperate to breastfeed and enjoyed it so much the first three days, but I'm at my absolute limit. The pain is so awful that it's stopping me enjoying the baby because I'm terrified she will wake up and need to feed so I don't want to touch her. I caved last night and gave her a bottle of expressed milk and have been feeling guilty ever since but just can't take the pain.
This is all making me feel so guilty and like such a crap mum. Thanks for reading if you have gotten this far. Any help or recommendations would be so good. I'm in South East London and will literally pay any amount to be able to sort this out.