Will breastfeeding ever become less painful?

[Mybabystolemysanity]

Two days down with a baby boy and second attempt at breastfeeding. Feeling exactly the same as my first child.

Currently mopping up the tears after another agonising feeding session. He's been on the boob all day today.

His latch is perfect, he's not tongue tied and when it finally comes, I think I'll have plenty of milk. It's painful but bearable for the next few days, but not weeks.

Tell me it will be ok once he's not working so hard for milk?

Just wanted to add my 2 pence. You sound just like me.... my first was a nightmare to feed... 8 weeks of excruciating agony and I was so determined but stopped because I pushed myself to breaking point. Second I tried again, also expressed colostrum prenatally (high 5!) But it was painful and brought back all the trauma. We also discharged ourselves from hospital. Then, we switched to formula and it was, without doubt the best thing I could have ever done for my baby, for me, and my family as a whole. Whatever you do you love your baby. You feed it the way that works for you.

There’s lots of things partners can do to help support breastfeeding at least until it’s established: in the night they can get up and cuddle and try to settle baby, then if no joy change their nappy then bring them to you in bed to feed, put them down in crib after fed. This was useful when recovering from birth and I didn’t need my husband to do it for long, would rather he slept and could look after baby whilst I slept for couple of hours during the day between feeds. He would work whilst she was sleeping beside him during the day and do her bath while I got towel and clothes nappy etc together. The otherwise made meals, cleaned, shopped, did the washing. Until I was physically recovered and then we split it more fairly. Plus you have an older child so presumably his made useful job would be to look after/play with her?

Well, we were readmitted last night after the community midwife found my blood pressure at 168/108. Have terrible headache and I'm exhausted so glad to be back in a side room.

Still feeding and do you know, it's getting easier. Still agony getting him on, but seem to be able to cope with it once h's got started. Am just giving formula once I've had enough, but trying to make the choice to feed him myself wherever I can. Managed about 5 hours broken sleep last night which is more than in the last few days.

Baby gaining weight a little bit too.

That is very high blood pressure. Great to hear you got some sleep and are feeling better.

How are you getting on OP?

Hope your blood pressure has gone down now and you and baby are doing well.

Hope your blood pressure is better.

The pain you’re describing is Vaso spasm. It’s normal, not fun but I promise that by week 6 it will be a distant memory.

We're still in hospital. Getting home tomorrow hopefully as BP is beginning to come down on the maximum dose of labetalol. Have asked them not to give me any more nifedipine because it makes me really ill.

Wish the MW's would stop taking baby away so I can rest. I don't think anyone understands how much anxiety it causes me if I can't see him and I don't want to have to explain the whole story about my daughter again (lots of separation getting blood pressure sorted then failure to feed. I rejected her for a bit because I thought she was better off without me).

Feeding going well although we missed all last night's because he was in the nurses office. Feel better for a rest but antsy because baby is away again.

Thinking of you OP and hope you are out and feeling better soon

So they weighed him. Hasn't gained anything in two days. Now they've got me pumping after each feed. More complication. Blood pressure is back through the roof after it went down a bit earlier.

Baby slept for three hours and I could have been sleeping too instead of messing around with pumps and doctors and tablets and just getting more and more upset. I want my husband and my daughter and my own bed and to be left the hell alone for a day or two. Feel like crying, really I do

Oh no, you're really having a tough time of it!

I pumped to begin with, too. I found it reassuring having a bit more of an idea how much DS was consuming, but every time I pumped I was very conscious of the fact that I could be sleeping! Are you still using formula to top up? Would it be worth adjusting the ratio a little and giving a little more formula to help you get some more rest?

And if you don't want to tell them yourself to stop taking your DS away, can your husband tell them?

Thanks Rogue

We're still in. Blood pressure still high despite adding in Captopril, which I'm not keen on while breastfeeding. Still pumping after feeds too, but not getting much out. Nothing from the side he's fed on and about 30ml from a full breast. It's giving me anxiety over feeding because I can't tell if he has had his fill (evidenced by sleeping for two hours after a feed and not being upset) or if my supply is not established yet or even disappearing because I can't face eating and drinking, I'm stressed out at being in here, he's hurting me the first time he latches on and now I've got diarrhoea too.

DH has agreed to take me home tomorrow, so now I'm worrying about discharging myself. Was supposed to have fragmin injections from two days ago which haven't materialised and now they're trying to get me into compression stockings. Bit late after five nights.

I fear I might be about to have a tantrum of toddler proportions and I don't want to. They already think I'm a bit unstable (heard DH and charge MW discussing me at the ward door). I'm not, I'm just really tired and sore and anxious and worried. Starting to resent DS the same way I resented his sister. Makes me so sad and ashamed. He's just a beautiful little baby

Hi Op,
Hope things are starting to get a little easier after reading your thread. You've been through a huge amount. Really hope BF works out for you as you really deserve things to start going smoothly for you... 😚
Wishing you the very best and congratulations on your little one, he's lucky to have such an amazing mummy. 💜💫

lavenderandroses
Thanks so much- that's really kind.

The good news is we are home, although the blood pressure is still where it was despite the medication. Think everyone has taken the view that it should settle itself in time and just to go very easy in the meantime. The potential consequences weigh heavily on my mind so I simply have to hope it resolves itself soon.

Feeding is just hurting for the first five minutes and becoming almost enjoyable after that. I hope it continues to improve. Not relishing the prospect of putting myself through it in the middle of the night, but the sleepy, smiling, milky-mouthed baby makes it worthwhile for now!

You’ve had an awful rough time, I hope things start to get better for you.

For the painful latch/ first few minutes I kept a pack of little chocolates near me, for each latch I allowed myself one chocolate and sucked it slowly, really focused on the taste.

I knew by the time the chocolate was gone I’d be past the painful bit.

Perhaps something like that might help?

I'm glad you are home and really hope things get better soon