Please help - desperate - feeding day 6, seriously painful and difficult

[jusdepamplemousse]

Please can someone offer some advice or encouragement. My DD is 6 days old and I'm trying to breastfeed exclusively. We are managing in that she is doing well - back up to birthweight on day 5 and no jaundice - but I am not coping with the pain. Her latch is awful and the only reason she is doing good is that I have far far too much milk - it just flows out of me without touching at times. I have had some input from mws on position and while I can get some improvement when she's literally put on for me by them it isn't perfect and it falls to shit when I have to do it myself. Last night was horrendous with us both crying hysterically and DH nearly in tears too. I'm so ashamed of myself but the pain is so grim I dread feeds. I know DH will happily run to shop for aptamil at this point but I am so upset at the thought of giving up for purely selfish reasons.
Can anyone offer some tips / encouragement if they managed to overcome this? Or if they switched to formula and it was all ok? I'm just at sea.
DD is pretty small (birth weight 6lb7oz) but v healthy (agpar 9 and thriving according to MWs). Not sure if relevant but just in case.
Thanks in advance and sorry if it takes me a while to respond if anyone replies.

My sister has Raynauds and said BF was excruciating. She would have to use labour breathing techniques.

Most sources (Kelly Mom, La Leche League) mention nifedipine for BF pain from Raynauds. Thomas Hale puts it in the 'safer' category for breastfeeding early stages as opposed to codeine which is in the 'probably hazardous' category.

Thanks for that info onsera I may speak with GP about that if I want to get off the shields. Good to hear from stiff that they can be used ok long term though.

MW just been out again and DD has put on 3oz which is majorly reassuring. It's crazy the highs and lows! Going to celebrate that for now though with some nice coffee and buns. maybe even a tiny wine later

So much gratitude for all the caring and reassuring replies on here guys .

That's great news!! Very glad to hear it's going better.

Second time breastfeeding here and I really struggled from when my milk came in. We're up to 7 weeks now and going strong.
You've had some good advice but one thing I'll add is that I rub lansinoh on my breast pads rather than applying it before and after feeds. I've found this really helps to avoid dry, cracked nipples.

I've only read the op, however I could have written this 12 weeks ago. Do what ever you feel you can. I was am very stubborn and fed through my tears and pain caused myself mastitis and cracked nipples. Finally got some advice (Facebook group, here and you tube) and now we are doing well. However if I had to do it again I might use the formula that's in my cupboard, I had days I cried all day, I cancelled all plans as feeding was all I thought about. I also began to dread the next feed.

I started expressing early and my DH would do the odd feed with a bottle (helped my DS get used to bottles and gave my nipples a well needed break!)

Good on you for acknowledging this and do what ever is best for you and baby, that includes your mental health!

Good luck. You're doing great.

I had a lot of pain until about week 7 with my twins, read somewhere about airing your nipples to make them less sensitive, hurts a lot less to feed now