Help me, feel like giving up breastfeeding

[Shan562]

Hi, first time posting here so hoping I've done it in the right place!

I breastfed DD for 6 weeks but gave up because I didn't really understand cluster feeding etc.
Now 5 years later I'm breastfeeding DS, he's 10 weeks old and ebf but I'm on the verge of giving up again- even though I don't really want to.

He feeds constantly! Like there might be 10 mins inbetween each feed where he'll lie contented but other than that it's boob flat out until bedtime around 10pm where he'll sleep for 3 hours then up every 1-2 hours after.
Is this normal? Fair enough if it was like this in the evenings as his cluster feeding before bed but it's literally all day every day.

We also have been battling thrush from week 1. Firstly the doctor said I didn't need treatment alongside him so his mouth cleared up using Nystatin, but it came back after a week.
Then we got the Daktarin oral gel for his mouth and my nipples. Again his mouth cleared up but it came back again.
This time I got the Daktarin cream for my nipples. Again everything cleared up but after 2 weeks it's in his mouth again! This was the longest stretch thrush- free but it must be me passing it back to him.
All along I haven't really had symptoms of thrush apart from nipple pain (but it's been there all along and normally does ease during the feed).

So with both of those combined I feel like just giving up and switching to formula and then maybe he'll finally be free of thrush and might actually seem like he's full during the day! Would love to keep feeding him myself though so hoping someone might have a magical solution pleaseeeeeee
x

You’ve done great to get so far with the thrush to contend with. A friend used vinegar to wash nipples before feeds to help manage recurrent thrush - might be worth a google.
Do you think your son is feeding well? Is the latch pain free? Is he gaining weight/plenty wet/dirty nappies?
I’m just wondering if he’s not getting enough or comfort feeding due to reflux?
Is he properly feeding or just dozing on boob (can you hear/see swallowing?) A sleepy feed is find but if he’s doing that so much so that you want to quit it’s worth finding solutions - sling naps, car, pram?
Evening sleep - does sound in range of normal. Lots of babies will sleep more at this point but others will be worse.
I do think whatever is going on then you’re about two weeks from end of 4th trimester where things get a bit easier.
The Milk Meg and Kelly Mom both worth a google for more detailed and evidence based information.

Well done you! I can highly recommend going along to your nearest La Leche League meeting for face to face help and support. They can check the latch, etc and advise about recurrent thrush.
We had a lot of early difficulties and I’m so glad that we managed to keep going.
Good luck and well done for getting this far, it will get much easier soon with the proper help and support.

Feeding non- stop is normal at the start to help your milk supply come in. If you choose to keep at it, it should start easing off from about 6 weeks on. But there's no shame at all in stopping now if that's the route you wish to take

If you genuinely only get ten minutes between feeds all day and you are still getting pain then something is probably off with the latch. Are you sure it’s thrush (did they do a swab?) or is it a white milk coating on the tongue - another sign something is not right with the latch. LLL or Baby Cafe would be worth a visit.

How are you doing @Shan562? What did you decide in the end?

I'm sorry to tell you but constantly feeding and cluster feeding is totally feeding and you should be so proud of how you and your baby have taken to breastfeeding!

This too shall pass :)