Breastfeeding turning into a wrestling match!

[Spudlet]

DS is 10 weeks old now, and we have developed a fun new breastfeeding issue. Basically, he's started twisting my nipples, biting, tugging, unlatching and relatching and in short, being a wiggly, screamy nightmare to feed. I'm in pain all the time and am starting to dread every feed.

I have a fast letdown but he seems to have adapted to that. This all starts after the initial letdown is done. I've tried taking him off to burp, giving him to DH for a break to calm down, changing how I hold him, sitting alone in a quiet room in case he's getting distracted, sitting forward, sitting right back, talking to him, shushing him, singing lullabies, being silent, and putting a hand on the back of his head, but nothing I've tried so far works. He's sleeping ok and making lots of wet nappies, and at least one or two dirty ones a day, and he's gaining weight so I assume he's getting enough, but we end most feeds before he gets that milk drunk look as we both get so stressed until he can't stay latched on, and I can't stand the pain any longer. So we stop then.

Family are putting me under gentle pressure to give up (no one in my family has breastfed in living memory so they don't know how to help and I don't think they think it's worth the stress). I've staved them off for now by saying my goal is 12 weeks then I'll reassess the situation. But that's not far away now...

I don't have much in person support - there's a breastfeeding cafe at the local children's centre, but last time I went one of the mums was going on and on about how formula should only be available on prescription and how bottle feeding mums were neglectful and didn't make eye contact and so on and it made me feel so cross and uncomfortable I don't really want to go back there. I think breastfeeding is a personal choice and I don't hold with condemning those that don't do it.

Is it worth trying nipple shields?

Pleas don't worry about the hind milk thing. The milk changes throughout a feed but not suddenly and not dramatically. It's a transition between slightly richer and slightly more thirst quenching milk. And if some of the fat gets 'left' in the boob, it gets sucked out on the next feed! If he is coming off happy after a number of sides (1,2 or more) then all to the good.

^This mums often overly worry about the his milk thing but it's a bit of a misconception. That they need to stay on one side for any length of time to get the fattier milk.

In fact most milk is made on demand for your baby while he is at the breast very little is stored in the breast. This is why on demand or cue feeding is so important as your body makes milk when your baby needs it. If you don't feed as often from each side your body will make less. Often women who try to correct an oversupply inadvertently end up with undersupply as they don't fully unstand how feeding works is so easily done.

Although really good website for further reading if your interested is kellymom.com lots of very useful information on breastfeeding.

And do give them a ring if you need to its amazing what help they can give over the phone. I believe the BfN also offer online webchat now as well through there website if you prefer.

It's also great to hear you've had a better day hope you have a good night's sleep

Thanks

I think he's full (for now!)

Cute! Hope things keep going well and your migraine goes quickly.

So just to update... Have been burping, pausing, then if that doesn't help swapping sides whenever the boob dude (as DS is known) begins fussing. Generally feeds are now much calmer places, although we had a couple of torrid ones today - he slept through again last night (yay!) but this meant I had two very full boobs this morning (boooo) which we both found rather hard to deal with - much wailing, squirting of milk and gnashing of teeth (and that was just me...). Then we did a feed in public, in a v warm coffee shop, and I think he just got way too hot trying to feed under my wrap, plus I was a little less relaxed being out and about, so there was a little bit of fuss. Nothing too major though.

I will be speaking to the lady who our NCT breastfeeding class on Monday and will go to the breastfeeding group tomorrow but am generally feeling a lot happier, more comfortable, and more confident that we can carry on with this a bit longer yet.

So thanks all!

Well done you!! Keep up the good work!

Feeds under a cover are always much harder and fussier I find. For that reason I prefer not to use one if circumstances allow (but I live in a much more conservative society than UK, so it can be difficult).

Also I meant to say, my dc2 would also struggle with really engorged boobs too so I would hand express a very little ( into his mouth or the sink) before I latched him and we both found that much easier and more comfortable.