Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Please help, it's all gone very wrong!!!!!

17 replies

LucyLu1981 · 14/05/2007 14:56

I have exclusively bf my 10 week old DD since birth, all was fine up to about 2-3 weeks ago when I started to get white nipple about 10mins after feeding accompanied by an excrutiating burning/stinging sensation which lasted anything up to 2hrs after a feed, now this I was managing to put up with as I really wanted to continue bf but then on Saturday both nipples split open and started bleeding quite badly. I gritted my teeth through it until last night when it just all got too much and I couldn't bear it any longer. I took the extremely hard decision to swap to bottlefeeding as was starting to really affect me (constant floods of tears, feeling like a failure etc). I don't really know why I am posting except maybe for a bit of moral support/similar experiences. I have stopped cold turkey and boobs are feeling very sore now but can't even face expressing! Just feel so so sad that I am stopping as after a difficult start (38H boobs - not easy to master feeding!) I had really grown to love bf and feel just awful that my last feed with her was spent in tears. I just don't know where it all went wrong, feel like i'm not understanding DD anymore as well, oh it's all just got a bit much. Sorry for ramble!

OP posts:
moondog · 14/05/2007 14:58

Oh dear.
Have you sought some expert advice?
It could have been/be thrush for example which can be sorted out with medication.
How about ringing one of the helplines?
Assoc. for brastfeeding Mothers is 0870 401 7711

moondog · 14/05/2007 14:58

Also nipple shileds can really help

LucyLu1981 · 14/05/2007 15:03

Thanks Moondog - yes I have spoken to bf counsellor and HV who concluded it's not thrush and she is latched on well. One bf counselor said it could be raynaud's of the nipple (?) something to do with blood supply not getting through and that the only 'cure' for it is to stop feeding

OP posts:
katyjo · 14/05/2007 15:03

You poor thing, and stopping cold turkey your boobs must be really sore.
You fed your baby for the most important first 6 weeks, so don't be so hard on yourself.
I found the 6-12 week period the most difficult anyway, without all the extra discomfort and stress you've been feeling. Things will start to get easier I promise, you sound like a fantastic Mum, and I promise you, you know your dd better than anyone and she knows your her Mum and that's all that matters.

Big hugs for you.

xxxx

moondog · 14/05/2007 15:08

How strange..I wish Tiktok or Mears were around to offer some more adsvice.

hairymclary · 14/05/2007 15:15

can you speak to another bfc? I used to get the white nipple thing and it was definitely bad latch- despite midwife, HV and bfc telling me otherwise.
also had the nipples splitting open and bleeding too- really nasty.
but it is always worth getting a second opinion, especially if you do want to carry on breastfeeding. it isn't too late to restart.

notsolilKel · 14/05/2007 15:15

if it helps at all (and I know it won't really) I think every mum feels guilty and sad and awful when they stop BF, regardless when!

IMO you are doing the very best thing by realising that spending your feeds in floods of tears just for the sake of BF, is not the way forward - formula is not evil (really!) - and your baby will probably really appreciate having a happier & healthier mummy!

As for the guilt & sadness, it will get better....

Mumpbump · 14/05/2007 15:17

In the first instance, I think you need to go and see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis of what the problem is. Once you know that, you can decide how to manage it...

bananabump · 14/05/2007 15:17

Lucy....I have this too, I've never heard of anyone else with this! It IS Raynauds of the Nipple, and it's basically when the capillaries seize up and direct blood flow away from the nipple, that's why the end of the nipple goes white. Haven't had my baby yet but I've been anticipating problems with bf because of this. Listen, if you still have milk coming in it might not be too late to get baby back to bf.

I've had this since I was 12, and I find that it is brought on by cold (doesn't have to be freezing outside, I had an attack last night walking from the house to the car parked directly outside in the rain) but in my case it can also be brought on if I think about it too much. I get it in the middle of the night when I'm asleep too, but it can be soothed, there's no need to suffer.

First off, the only thing that will ease it is heat. Now I've tried everything from hot baths, compresses, heat pads, hot water bottles, the hairdryer, even getting dp to suck them to try and get the blood flowing. (This sounds silly if you don't have this condition but honestly, it's like a combination of cramp and being stabbed by a hot pin, it's VERY painful)

The best thing is dry heat for example a hot water bottle, heated rice bag thingy (you know, the cushions filled with rice or wheat that you heat in the microwave for a minute) or the gentle heat from a hairdryer. It's very easy to damage your nipples trying to warm them up with something that's too hot. In desperation I've even dipped them in very hot water before now. Don't do it, it makes them sore.

These days I carry a small panda pops style plastic bottle with me as it's easy to refill with hot water from the tap and hold against you in an emergency. I'm sure there are more sophisticated options out there but the one thing you can almost guarantee is that wherever you go you will be able to get your hands on some hot water.

As for the breastfeeding thing, I've heard that drinking tea before bf is good as it has a natural ingredient in it which opens capillaries. Obviously also doing it in a warm room and keeping a hot water bottle nearby is advisable. Warm heat with a hairdryer after baby is finished to dry the nipple is a good idea, as leaving it damp will start it off.

You might have to work a bit harder, be a bit more careful, and have a bit less freedom than other mothers, but I do think it's possible to bf with raynauds. I certainly intend to and mine's pretty bad.

Fingers crossed you shouldn't suffer with it through summer too as it'll be hot, so now would be a great time to give bf another go if you can bear to. Good luck with it!

Kif · 14/05/2007 15:18

poor you

ever informative kellymom

bananabump · 14/05/2007 15:28

Sorry about the long post, but I just had a bit of a google around about raynauds and apparently there's a drug out there called nifedipine (brand name Adalat, Nifedical, and Procardia) which is safe for baby and you, and is said to help immensely. link

Kif · 14/05/2007 15:32

your post sounds ambiguous - tell everyone to stick their beak out if you're 'coming to terms' with giving up.

however, if you're swtill holding a hope to keep feeding - get your latch looked by (more than one?) bfc.

jack newman suggests raynauds may be delayed reaction to trauma of bad latch. obv that would explain your bleeding nipple...

LucyLu1981 · 14/05/2007 17:08

Thank you so much everyone, you are all so helpful. I agree it has prob been caused by bad latch but as everyone says its fine just didn't know how to correct it! I spoke to GP about it at her check last week and got the response 'sounds like just one of those things, you have to make a decision to put up with it or stop feeding'.

Kif I think I am just trying to come to terms with giving up as really can't face it any longer, but I think the guilt is that I feel I am putting my needs before DD's IYSWIM.

Banana - good luck I am sure you will be successful - I did find that holding my hand inside my bra helped to relieve it as well, not v.practical when your in Sainsubury's but needs must!!!!!

Also does anyone know roughly how long it will take for the milk to dry up?

OP posts:
DebsCee · 14/05/2007 19:44

Just another point on Raynauds which may help you if you do want to continue to BF. Taking high doses of the vitamin B6 helped me - GP suggested trying it before turning to drugs. Worked for me within days, and I still take a regular dose of B6 which keeps it at bay now. DS2 is 4 months and we are BF happily now and have been for a while, but I got my Raynauds under control very early on.

I should add though, that although I suffered with Raynauds it didn't cause me bleeding/cracked nipples, I had that very early on and it was all down to latch, but the Raynauds made it feel much worse IYSWIM.

DaphneHarvey · 14/05/2007 19:55

I think its terribly sad that you feel so guilty about giving up bfeeding when you have tried so hard and suffered such terrible pain. I'd give up too, if I were in your situation. FWIW.

I think the pressure to bfeed against all odds is a little bit disgraceful, actually, and you really should try not to feel guilty about switching to formula. Seen some of my friends suffer horribly with a perceived feeling of failure over failing with bfeeding. Doesn't help anyone does it?

Were you pushing trolley with other hand in Sainsburys btw?

Kif · 14/05/2007 22:29

Lucy - bf is all to do with hormones - and i certainly seem to feel the 'drop' when I stop feeding. I#ve taken tp calling it 'post lactation depression' - to remind myself that it's a natural readjustment rather than feeling bad because I've done somethingnwrong IySWIM. Rationally you know you've done everything that it is reasonable to do.

LucyLu1981 · 15/05/2007 21:12

Just wanted to say thank you again to everyone it really helped me through a horrible day. am still feeling a bit down about it all but DD starting to take the bottle a bit better and is her usual smiley self. If anyone else does stop cold turkey I have done 48hrs now and boobs are just starting to soften and hurt a bit less now xx

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page