Hi, just wondering if anyone can offer any tips or advice,
My 1 year old DS is breastfed. He eats a good amount of solids and takes water from a cup. My DH and I have tried to introduce him to having a bit of formula or cow's milk from his cup too but as soon as he tastes it isn't water the cup gets thrown. We've really given it a good go and no progress, so I accepted that it with be just BM until he's ready to stop having milk.
This was ok (although I found it restrictive as it has to be me giving him milk) until recently when breastfeeding has suddenly become very painful. It's the way he latches and it's hard to describe. He sort of puts pressure (not biting) around my breast with his teeth and pulls backwards very hard at the same time while he feeds. I think it makes the milk come very fast but it absolutely excruciating. He also wriggles like an eel while he feeds, holding onto my breast with his teeth while he rolls around. He's chuckling and having a great time 🤦🏼♀️
I've tried stopping him every time, taking him off the breast and relatching but this just seems to be how he feeds now, using his teeth and pulling backwards. On the odd occasion where I feed him when he's drowsy he still does it. I'm pretty firm about stopping the feed when he rolls or bites, which is a lot, and restart after a bit. It makes the whole feed take ages and I can't relax for a second. The whole thing is just so painful, it's like breastfeeding a tiger!
I now think some kind of infection is starting up because my breast is terribly sore and I feel unwell. The thought of having to feed him again tomorrow makes me want to cry.
I'd be quite happy to stop BFing to be honest but I'm worried about his nutrition as he won't take any other kind of milk. Does anyone have any ideas for how I can get him to latch in a way that's less painful? Could I feed him other dairy products like yoghurt or cheese instead?