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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Breastfeeding help needed - sorry lots of issues

45 replies

Clydesdaleclopper · 11/10/2007 18:12

Sorry for the long post but I need lots of help.

My baby is 4 weeks old now. I gave up breastfeeding after 2 1/2 weeks for a number of reasons - excruciating pain, baby contining to lose weight, and total exhaustion. I continued to express 3 times a day and after a week reintroduced baby to the breast once my nipples had recovered but I'm not sure how to progress.

I'm still suffering from cracked and very tender nipples. My mw just said it was because I'm blonde and have sensitive nipples which wasn't exactly contstructive. I've tried Lansinoh but it doesn't seem to help. I've seen 2 bfc's before I gave up but I find it difficult to get him latched on correctly on my own. When he comes off the breast I have small white blisters on the end of my nipple.

I have gradually increased the number of times he goes on the breast each day and he is now going on at each feed before he gets his bottle of formula. My health visitor has said I won't be able to get a full supply to feed him. Is there anything I can do to increase the supply - bearing in mind the v. sore nipples?

OP posts:

jugglermum · 11/10/2007 21:54

Poor you Clydesdaleclopper. I have so much sympathy as had bleeding nipples/mastitis in first six weeks with ds1 and ds2. Went on to feed for 9.5/10.5 mths respectively, and now 8mths in with dd. The pain was excruciating and made me cry a lot. Only things that helped were lots and lots of water to drink, persistence, and last of all nipple shields with dd - no mastitis this time. Various (BFC, doc, mw) tried to help with latch but only time really did - big nipples, small baby mouths. Do try shields though as you can stop using them again, although hv said they were a disaster! You are not alone ... lol

weepotion · 11/10/2007 22:23

clydesdale - congrats to you on your newbie and well done on getting so far with bf. you have done a great job and kept going through mastistis.
there is plenty of advice on this thread and i certianly dont want to add any more. i just wanted to say that it can and does get easier. i am now coming up to 6 mths and i really never thought i would make 6 days. the pain has gone but we have to keep an eye for blocked ducts/ lumps. i keep the warm flannels at hand! if you choose to keep going - try and get some local face to face support. xoxo

gloriana · 11/10/2007 22:29

I would also second Kittywitch's suggestion of thrush. This is relatively little known but is absolute agony at it's worst. It has many symptoms but one is extreme sensitivity of the nipples (not being able to have anything touch them - particularly in the shower) and also there can be little whitish bumps on the nipple, like little pinheads. Also, if you have had a course of antibiotics recently, thrush is a possibility.

Good luck with the feeding - you can do it but I know just how toe-curlingly awful and depressing it is. You can do it though and get through to the other side when it becomes a joy.

Original poster

Clydesdaleclopper · 11/10/2007 23:04

Thanks for all the support guys. I asked my doctor about thrush as a possibility for the pain but she said as my baby wasn't showing any sign of having it in his mouth that I don't have it. Is it possible for only me to have it?

OP posts:

determination · 12/10/2007 08:44

Hi Clydesdale sorry for taking so long to get back with the links....

Silver Healing - Silverette Silverette healed a massive wide gash on my areola within 48 hours they are amazing

Silverette and Thrush

Supporter Lines

Kellymom Thrush

Hope these are useful. You deserve a HUGE pat on the back. Good Luck for the future.

Original poster

Clydesdaleclopper · 12/10/2007 12:30

Well, I've just seen a lady from LLL and she thought the latch was OK so had no idea why feeding is so painful

OP posts:

kittywitch · 12/10/2007 14:21

I'd try and get a second opinion on the thrush if I were you.

determination · 13/10/2007 10:16

hows it going today clydesdale??

Sterny · 13/10/2007 19:46

Just thought I would add my two pence regarding sore nipples.

When my ds was a newborn and I was trying to bf in hospital after a few days I found the pain in my nipples absolutely excruciating for the whole duration of the feed and for even a few minutes afterwards. I asked midwives, friends etc whether this was normal and was told that it was but that things would improve after a few days. I persevered but after about a week I was in so much pain that I couldn't carry on and started to give my ds expressed milk via a bottle instead.

When my nips had totally recovered I managed to restart the breastfeeding. I was much more relaxed as I was now at home and spent lots of time getting the latch sorted out. This time round I did experience a little tenderness in my nipples for a couple of weeks but it was only mildly painful for about the first ten seconds of every feed. I exclusively bf until ds was about eight months. After the tenderness had worn off it was pretty much pain free.

I just wanted to say this because people telling me that nipple pain is normal nearly made me give up on breastfeeding. Good luck.

Original poster

Clydesdaleclopper · 14/10/2007 20:31

I've got an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow to check out the possiblity of thrush. I've been using the Silverette and there is definate improvement in the cracks but feeding is still painful. However, I'm determined to make this work. LO has just been on the breast for 2 hours so here's hoping that will help to increase my supply, though he still took 3oz of formula afterwards

OP posts:

absandme · 14/10/2007 20:39

Apolgies not read all comments... congrats for keeping up with the bf! 2hours, good on you! You can get your milk supply up & when it is & when your nips ain't so sore it will all be sooooooooooo worth it!

I recommend air time after a feed to help your nips heal, rub a little breast milk on them too & let them dry.

Feed, feed, feed!! rest when you can & eat plenty too, it will all help with your milk supply.

I used to sometimes express about an hour after the last feed when dd was having some decent sleep (kept it in a bottle to give later) I'd prob get less than 1oz but it gives an extra bit of stimulation, I'd do 15mins each side, even when i'd 'run out' I'd keep it going to try & boost it.

Good luck!

gybegirl · 14/10/2007 20:44

Just a bit of moral support and to say well done!!! Also the video clips from www.drjacknewman.com (I'm rubbish at this link thing, so sorry if it doesn't work - go to breastfeeding help and video clips) really helped me work out what was going on / aided my latch no end. I do think you do need to watch them again and again over say an hour period to really see what's going on. Hope all the advice on this forum helps and good luck

determination · 15/10/2007 20:25

How did you get on at the Drs Clydesdale?? Are things improving?

booda · 15/10/2007 22:09

clydesdale,would just like to say i empathise,was in much pain too,doctor said neither baby or i had any sign of thrush untill i went back several weeks after again in pain.I tried candida for thrush a homoepathic remedy,there is light at the end of it i,m still breastfeeding my babys now 7 mths.best of luck.

Original poster

Clydesdaleclopper · 16/10/2007 18:00

flippin doctors - she said I might have thrush but difficult to tell. So she prescribed me some tablets but they have apparently been discontinued by the manufacturers. So I phoned the surgery and she said the only other tablets I can take mean that I have to stop breastfeeding for 2 weeks . When I said that wasn't an option she said oh well you probably don't have thrush anyway - it's just normal breastfeeding pain. Since when is severe pain even when the baby is not feeding 'normal' arrgghh.

OP posts:

TheBlonde · 16/10/2007 18:11

I ended up taking grapefruit seed extract last time I had breast thrush and it worked very well

determination · 16/10/2007 20:18

Clysedale you should get yourself a pair of Silverette as they "apparently" clear up thrush too.

Silverette Review

determination · 16/10/2007 20:18

Clysedale you should get yourself a pair of Silverette as they "apparently" clear up thrush too.

Silverette Review

TheBlonde · 16/10/2007 20:44

She's already using them

booda · 16/10/2007 20:47

clydesdale.Doctor prescribed Daktarin cream oral gel for baby and a daktarin cream for me (that was a relief even applying- that i had to wash off before feeding)-i found camilosan and lanolin a relief for sore cracked nips. My doc was about as sympathic as your sounds,i had to go to my doc several times before she eventully gave me something. it,s not normal pain though-theres no way i,d still be feeding.

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