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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Urgent Breastfeeding help needed please

17 replies

anchovies · 02/02/2008 15:34

My sister is on the verge of giving up breastfeeding her 1 weeek old. She didn't want to breastfeed before having him but I suggested she gave it a go before deciding which she did and she loved it and they were both doing really well despite getting virtually no help in the hospital for the first 3 days.

So last Wednesday she asks me to look at her nipples as one is hurting, it was cracked so I got her some Lansinoh and told her to ask the midwife to check how he was latched on. I asked her how she went on with the midwife, she said fine, turned out yesterday that she had asked the midwife to check and she had said she didn't need to as it sounded like general wear and tear.

So he was obviously still not latched on right and things had got much worse until yesterday when she rang crying. I went over and helped her as best as I could (he clearly wasn't latched on right) she rang and spoke to the NCT who gave her some good pointers and also left about 4 messages for the breastfeeding midwife who didn't return her call (and still hasn't) I rang delivery suite last night who said they would send a midwife today.

So she came this morning and to be honest wasn't very helpful. She has now been feeding from one side for 4 days so now both sides are very very sore. She has been hand expressing without much success but used the pump today as when I saw her there was absolutely no way she would be able to get him latched on to the bad side.

So basically need to know what to tell her to do next. She is asleep at the moment but her baby is due to wake up very soon and before she went to sleep she was at her wits end. Need some help please!

OP posts:

chibi · 02/02/2008 15:52

It sounds like she needs to get her latch sorted first. Your local NCT chapter should have a bfc who you can speak to. When I had probelms, my NCT bfc came out to see me + helped me get through it.

She also needs to help her nipples heal. When I started bf, my nipples were sore + one of them got a blister + cracked. I slathered myself in camillosan (lansinoh ok too) afetr every feed and just exposed myself to air. I was also recovering from a csection at the time so spent almost all day in bed anyway so being topless for most of the day was no hardship iyswim.

I have heard other people recommend silverette (I think it is called this) which I think is some sort of plaster-y thing that promeotes fast healing.

She also needs for someone to take care of everything else(ie housework, cooking etc) so that she doesn't have any extra stress while she is getting this sorted. You sound like a v supportive sister, amybe this person could be you?

Bf can be hard going in the early days but that is no indication of later success - I struggled at first but am still happily feeding my 8 month old dd.

Congratulations on the birth of you nephew, hope all goes well.

moondog · 02/02/2008 15:56

Very useful blog written by an MNer. All the helplines are listed. Try the Assoc. of Breastfeeding Mothers of which I am a member. A lot of women swaer by [[http://www.breastfeedingheaven.co.uk/http-//www-breastfeedingheaven-co-uk/breast/nipple-care/nippl e-care/silverette/prod-2-html/prod_2.html Silverette too.

moondog · 02/02/2008 15:57

Bugger

Silverette

How breastfeeding works

kiskidee · 02/02/2008 16:02

could she take him to the bath for the next feed and try to have him self latch? a few mners who were having supply issues found that trusting a baby to follow his inborn instincts has paid up dividends.

here is the link.

if he can do this in the bath in a semi recline position then she can take the same technique with him into the bed or vice versa.

pass on the congrats to you sis.

kiskidee · 02/02/2008 16:03

if he can do this with her in a semirecline position...

determination · 02/02/2008 19:30

Silverette is definately the answer.. these will completely heal her within 2 days of constant wear and this will get her pain free to work on her latch.. she can use them to prevent the nipples from cracking too.

In the meantime however.. could she put a little teething gel on her nipples before latching to numb them and minimise the pain??

healing tips for cracked nipples

2happy · 02/02/2008 19:37

I found jelonet dressings, and nipple shields helped (though not everyone wants to use shields, but they kept me feeding through a crack), and obv sorting the latch. Good luck.

pinkyp · 02/02/2008 20:01

Hi i had a similar problem when breastfeeding in the first few weeks. I felt extremly pressured not to let anyone down by topping breastfeeding so try not to put any pressure on her. I was sat crying when he was feeding as it hurt that bad, it wasnt that he was lached on wrong but just coz my nipples were sore and didnt have time to heal, what i did was just for 1 or 2 feeds gave him a bottle (i did this for 2 days). I felt that this took alot of pressure of me and gave my nipples time to heal better. I then carried on just breastfeeding. Tell her things do get easier amd just to hang in there!! Good luck you sound like a great support to your sister xx

Original poster

anchovies · 03/02/2008 09:47

Thanks for all the messages yesterday, sorry for not replying I went back round to her house to see if I could help at all. She ended up giving him a bottle of expressed milk and she was in tears trying to get him latched on. I explained about how long term expressing would not be ideal but I think she was utterly fed up. Not sure what happened over night, got her some nipple shields (I presume these are better than giving up all together), silverette not arriving til tuesday. Didn't see the teething gel tip until now but will pass it on this morning (obviously depending on how she's feeling!) Thanks again.

OP posts:

moondog · 03/02/2008 17:32

Hope it all helps.
Nipple shields also made a differnece ot me over a very bad patch.

mamamufin · 03/02/2008 17:41

She is really lucky to have a sister like you. I think you have covered it all really. Nipple sheilds really helped me for a few days. Also supporting the baby more as its all in the position. Has anybody checked for tongue tie. This is where the tongue appears to be attached to the base of the mouth. It can look almost heart shaped. I think this is becoming more common. It can be effectivly snipped by a doc or midwife but would depend upon the policy in your area. Good luck

foxythesnowman · 03/02/2008 17:44

Breast cups aid healing - I swear by them and lansinoh cream.

Notquitegrownup · 03/02/2008 17:45

Another nipple shield fan here. It may take a while to teach the baby to latch on again, once she is used to the shields, but as you say, it's much better than giving up altogether.

Good luck to you both!

moondog · 03/02/2008 17:46

If you suspect tongue tie, have a look at the article I linked to in this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/1364/466715]]

moondog · 03/02/2008 17:47

Bugger

Here

pinkyp · 03/02/2008 19:05

may i also suggest breast shells? you can get them from boots etc it means whilst she is breastfeeding from one side she can put the shell on the other and "collect milk" naturally from the other, this might help is she is only feeding from one breast as you dont want the milk flow to decline from one side. Its also handy to pour into a bottle after rather than expressing! and it stops the breasts from getting too full. good luck again x

laura032004 · 04/02/2008 07:05

I'd also recommend the silverettes (which reminds me that I must find mine as I've developed another crack ) Make sure you've got some bicarb of soda in for when they arrive. Wash them as often as possible.

Also, I'd suggest that whenever she is feeding, that she leaves the other breast uncovered (i.e. out of bra), with a drip cloth underneath. The stimulation of feeding on the other side, and the lack of restraint from a bra, will probably lead to some let down on that side too, which might help to keep it ticking over.

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