Need more encouragement

[chicaguapa]

DS is 20 days old and I posted a thread a couple of days ago about building up milk supply as I'm having problems bf'ing due to thrush.

Finding a GP to prescribe me the drugs the NCT bf'ing counsellor says I need is impossible as I seem to be getting the same GP each time I go who has a reputation for being stingy with medication. The result of which is that I've had thrush since Sat, diagnosed on Monday but today I am still no better off as the cream GP gave me isn't working.

My problem is that because of bthe pain I can't feed DS for long enough to sustain him and while I'm putting him on the breast 2 or 3 times a days it's only for 5 mins each breast just to keep my supply going and so he doesn't forget what to do. So DH is having to top up those feeds with formula AND give him bottles at all the other times... this includes during the night.

I've said that I don't want to give DS the bottle as I don't want to jeopardise his return to full-time bf'ing and I feel that my giving him a bottle will confuse him. I want to keep my feeds for him exclusively breastfed. That said, I'm also struggling with watching him take a bottle and changing the nappies which reinforce the knowledge that he's having more formula milk than breastmilk at the moment. I know it's a temporary situation and he needs to be fed etc, but with hormones flying around, it's really hard to deal with.

But the situation in the house is really fraught as DH has gone back to work this week, (although he works from home so is around for feeds) but obviously he's struggling with doing all the night time feeds then working the next day. He's ok with this and I had a word last night about how he needs to reassure me that he agrees with me that I don't stop bf'ing etc and we carry on how we are (him doing all feeds etc) until the thrush has gone.

The biggest problem, what a surprise, is my MIL who obviously feels that I'm being selfish by refusing to give up bf'ing and comes from the school of thought that if it hurts, stop and being bottlefed never did her son any harm. So she rings up and DH is shouting at DD in the background because he's so tired and run ragged and I'm trying to justify to her why we're doing etc.

I'm also having problems with my sister who didn't bf her 2 and she feels I'm saying that bottlefeeding is really wrong which is why I'm happy to put up with the situation at the moment because I won't change to bottlefeeding.

Sorry this is really rambling, but it's a really difficult time as it is with a 3-week old baby and then there are all these extra problems and having to sterilise bottles etc. I just feel that I need a few pats on the back and people to tell me that I'm not being selfish asking DH to do everything while I get rid of the thrush etc.

Incidentally, my HV (VERY pro bf'ing) has just phoned who's going to slap the GP for refusing to give me the drug that she also thinks I need and for telling me that sore cracked nipples is just part of bf'ing (yes he really did say that! ). So hopefully I'll get what I need today and start to get rid of this thrush so we can get back to normal.

Here is a good description
handexpressing

To be successful at getting milk out it is a good idea to massage the breast down towards the nipple. You can do that easily just by clenching your fist and placing it against your breast, thumb nearest to the skin. Then just roll it down the breast towards the nipple. Do this all the way round.

The link tells you where to press around the areola. Every woman's milk resevoirs are in slightly different places. As a rule of thumb they are round about where the areola ends. However, the best way to feel them if the gently feel forward from well behing the nipple. You will feel 'oealike' lumpd when you reach the resevoirs. That is where the milk is stored at the end of the ducts. Wnen you press in the right place the milk comes out. It can take a short while for the let down to work then the milk comes out in jets. You continue to press moving fingers round the area until the milk slows. Then switch to the other side. One side always lets down while milk is being expressed from the opposite side. Keep switching from side to side as you get the milk out faster that way. Hand expressing is mind over matter. If the baby gets the milk out then so can you. Once you get the knack it is really easy.

Fran1 - I think you are just not hitting the right spot there. A bit of practice and you will be able to get milk out when you are dry. Make sure the room is warm - that can inhibit mlk flow if you are cold.

Just wanted to say thanks for all your words of encouragement. I'm pleased to say that I'm still breastfeeding.

After a frustrating week, I finally managed to get some Diflucan on Monday from another GP in the surgery - a week after my original visit when it was refused! I went with both children and managed to do the 'harassed mother' bit very well!

My main point of concern which seemed to carry some weight was that I was back for another prescription for DS's oral thrush which he'd got back (surprise surprise!) even though we'd carried on using his drops. Plus the thrush had passed through his body and he now has thrush on his bum so I needed some cream as well. I told them it wasn't on that I'd spent a week giving my 2-week old drugs and was back for more as he was worse and I wasn't improving with just my cream. I was going to refuse to leave without a prescription for a course of Diflucan, but I got it without argument!

So after 9 days of thrush, I finally got what I needed and already feel on the mend. I'd gone down to just one b'feed a day which was painful but I needed that for morale and to remind me that I did want to carry on b'feeding and that it was all worth it. So now I've just got to build my supply up again and return to full-time b'feeding. Hurrah!

Mind you, the week off from night feeds was a nice break!

So thanks again for the comments and help. Even my MIL has shut up now! Although I've now got problems with her ignoring the newborn and unable to not focus solely on DD - but that's another story...

So glad that everything has worked out for you chicaguapa.
Good for you for hanging in there when the going got tough!

And they wonder why women give up breastfeeding!!! Honestly, stupid, stupid, stupid GPS. Glad you are feeling so much better and good for you for putting up a fight.

Hi, haven't read all the messages on this thread but just wanted to say it sounds like you're doing a great job! Well done for continuing to breastfeed (as this is what you wanted to be able to do).
DD (7 months) and I had thrush recently so I know it's not much fun - dd had oral thrush and thrush-related nappy rash (like sunburn!). I don't think I had it too badly, my nipples were just sore for a while. I had to make a fuss at the doc's to make sure we both got treated though.
Look after yourself, you should be really proud of what you've achieved so far.