DD is 18 days old; started feeding well straight away and is doing brilliantly. Left nipple got very sore though and didn't heal, so I went to local BF support group and worked on improving latch on left, which started to get better, but then I got a blocked duct which I didn't recognise because I thought the pain was still from the nipple.
By the time I worked out it was a blocked duct I had mastitis but didn't realise that either - I know I sound like an idiot, I was in lots of pain and weeping all the time and either sweating or shaking uncontrollably, but I thought all that was part of being tired and run down, didn't think I was actually ill. Mentioned problems to the HV and even that I was worried issue with breast might develop into mastitis but she just said it was probably a blocked duct and gave me a couple of tips about clearing it. So although had symptoms since Tuesday didn't get diagnosed until last night (Friday) after talking to NCT BF counsellor on helpline - and thank goodness she realised I probably already had mastitis and told me to call out GP so I have now started antibiotics.
Anyway... sorry this has turned into such an epistle... I have been continuing to feed DD from infected breast but it is often painful, we both still find it hard to get latch right and it can be a real struggle sometimes which is distressing and made worse by the inflammation.
A very lovely pregnant friend brought her medela pump over for me last night, so I was thinking of expressing rather than feeding from that breast so DD wont get caught up in my pain and frustration. But I'm worried that if I do that and just feed DD from right breast that will mean I'm massively over-producing and mess up the supply and demand. I have some bottles so could try to feed her the expressed milk (I am planning to do that eventually anyway) but she isn't even three weeks yet, and I really really don't want to risk interfering with BF.
I just feel a bit at my wits' end - oh, also the gunky milk that was blocking the duct has begun coming out when she feeds which is good because it's unblocking but I can't imagine it's that good for her, and my nipple has cracked again so she's sometimes got blood mixed into the milk she spits up from that side, which tips me over the edge a little. So please please if you have any advice and have managed to read this far I would be so grateful.