Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Infant feeding

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

I'm struggling, getting no help and I'm in agony (Please dont flame me)

46 replies

ICantDoItAnyMore · 30/04/2008 11:04

I am thinking of introducing formula, DD is 6 mo and exclusively bf. I have had mastitis god knows how many times. DD has had oral thrush and I have had thrush for the last 3.5 months.

I got some cream for me and DD from our gp and it hasn't helped at all. I've been back to our gp no fewer than 6 times for help, he now says to put DD on formula as she is 6mo.

My HV is about as useful as a chocolate teapot and has been telling me to put DD on formula since she was about 12 weeks old.

DH keeps saying to put her on formula, he means well, I can see he just doesn't like to see me in pain.

I've been in constant contact with LLL they have been really helpful but just advise me to see my gp.

I recently went to my first breast buddies group but I just felt so out of wack I couldn't bring myself to ask anyone for any help. I kept 'tearing' up at the thought of asking them

My mum does support me but also keep saying now that DD is 6mo that I should just put her on formula, as it was good enough for me.

I really enjoyed bf at the beginning but now I don't enjoy it at all, in fact sometimes I hate it.

I was thinking about mix feeding.

I would appreciate any advice or support that anyone can offer.

OP posts:

Original poster

ICantDoItAnyMore · 30/04/2008 12:29

Thank you, I've just tried getting through to the doctors surgery but it is engaged all the time so I will keep trying. I'm going to ask that he prescribe me the fluconazole and I am not going to leave until he has given me some.

I think I will mix feed for now until the thrush clears up and then go back to ex bf.

I feel so much better, thankyou all.

OP posts:

flossish · 01/05/2008 10:48

You may well find that after the horrible feeling of giving the first bottle of formula it suddenly isn't as bad any more and you carry on! Whatever you want to do. I'm glad you are feeling better.

Original poster

ICantDoItAnyMore · 02/05/2008 11:09

I'm at my wits end,DD wont take the formula. She doesn't seem to like the Aptamil, so I got some Farleys.
She will take a little bit then spit out the teat. She prefers to ready made stuff, but I cant keep buying that for her.

I cant stop worrying about it I'm forever crying and so emotional and cry at the drop of a hat over it now.

God I'm so pathetic...I don't know what to do anymore.

OP posts:

Original poster

ICantDoItAnyMore · 02/05/2008 11:13

I cant stop worrying about it I'm forever crying and so emotional and cry at the drop of a hat over it now.

God I'm so pathetic...I don't know what to do anymore.

OP posts:

Original poster

ICantDoItAnyMore · 02/05/2008 11:13

I cant stop worrying about it I'm forever crying and so emotional and cry at the drop of a hat over it now.

God I'm so pathetic....I don't know what to do anymore.

OP posts:

vitomum · 02/05/2008 11:23

has she had a bottle bofore now? i changed ds1 to formula at 6 months and it took 1-2 weeks for him to take a bottle.

Original poster

ICantDoItAnyMore · 02/05/2008 11:34

Sorry for the repeat posts, don't know what I did there.

Yes DD has been having some EBM since 6 weeks old. I would express some for her but I cant seem to get much. It would just be easier for me to BF her than express.

OP posts:

vitomum · 02/05/2008 11:39

what about sticking to the ready made untill she is more established with it, then using powder?

Original poster

ICantDoItAnyMore · 02/05/2008 11:43

Yep that would be an idea, but it's so expensive.

I think I'm gonna have to back to ex bf.

Don't know what I'm gonna do when I go back to work. I cant see her having enough solid food in the day by the time I go back.

OP posts:

StrangeTown · 02/05/2008 11:48

I have recently introduced formula too, DS was exclusively BF for 5 months, but wasn't gaining weight and I am going back to work soon so am now having 1 ff per day. It's working very well logistically and I feel I have my life back to a degree. I do feel it's a compromise (to me, not wanting to judge anyone else!) but it feels OK for me at the moment.

Original poster

ICantDoItAnyMore · 02/05/2008 11:58

I Really HATE bf now and have done for some weeks. It was ok to start with but I seem to be in constant agony with it and also in between feeds and getting no support.

Although I don't want to stop completely, I would be happy never bf again and to give DD formula but she just wont have it.
The most I can get her to take is 2-3 ounces of the ready made up stuff and 1 ounce of the powdered stuff, I thought it was the same.

OP posts:

Sanguine · 02/05/2008 12:00

God bless you, Icantdoitanymore. You're a hero!

Your DD has had 6 months to get used to what breast milk tastes like, so she's probably a bit puzzled at the new flavour. Keep trying, chances are, she'll get used to it.

Don't beat yourself up. you are a great mum! And if you are feeling tearful, that's because you're in huge pain and in need of a bit of support. It's horrible, no wonder you feel like crying. xxx

vitomum · 02/05/2008 12:03

yeh, those cartons are a rip off.

it might take a good few days / weeks for her to accept a bigger ff. just keep offerig it regularly

sorry you are feeling so bad, but you really have done v well

Original poster

ICantDoItAnyMore · 02/05/2008 12:07

Thanks, I think I just needed to have a little rant.

OP posts:

eenybeeny · 02/05/2008 12:11

I havent read the whole thread I just wanted to say a few things.

You are doing brilliantly. And you must really appreciate that fact. You sound like a great mother!

I feel so sad that you even have to be worried about being flamed for this on MN - you are clearly doing nothing wrong and you should be able to get support not fear rejection. I think we may all need to learn a lesson from that.

tiktok · 02/05/2008 12:14

ICan't - the powdered formula and the ready-to-feed is not the same. Different water content, obviously, and the RTF is UHT milk. Both of these aspects are likely to change the taste.

solo · 02/05/2008 12:25

I didn't see this thread on wednesday, I wish I had.

If you see this OP, please know that you aren't alone with it. I've had problems too, but have managed to get through it. I hope you do too, especially as you seem to want to continue to bf.

I had some advice from a bf counselor and although a bit controversial it worked really well and quite quickly.
She told me to use a 50/50 vinegar water solution on my nips after every feed. thrush can't live in the vinegar environment, so it helps enormously. Also, after I'd used that and they had dried, I used Clomizeriole cream(thrush cream). I also get internal breast thrush and do the same for that.
On baby's mouth, I was told that a really weak solution of bi carbonate of soda applied with a cotton bud(that's the controversial part as it's essentially salt)to the thrush spots. You don't need it to be dripping wet.
I've been lucky enough not to get mastitis this time, but did with Ds. I massaged the painful area with every feed, seemed to do the trick and I hope it helps you too.

Original poster

ICantDoItAnyMore · 18/05/2008 12:03

I cant believe that in a few short weeks that I am feeling so much better than I was when I started this thread.

You have all helped me more than I can say.

I went back to the breast buddies and waited until the end when most of the ladies had gone. I spoke to the BFC there and pretty much broke down. I told her everything.
She came to my house to watch DD BF and to check her latch. She noted that DD's latch wasn't very good. DD did have a very good latch, the BFC told me it can happen that the latch can get worse sometimes. I didn't know that.

I have carried on using the cream my GP gave me for the thrush and now it seems to be working DD has about 4 FF a day and the rest of the time she is BF. I am hoping to slowly reduce the FF and get back to the EX BF.

I suppose now is the time to start weaning anyway.

So I want to say a very big THANKYOU to you for all of your help.

OP posts:

tiktok · 18/05/2008 12:12

Good to get your update, ICan't It's great things have got so much better.

Original poster

ICantDoItAnyMore · 18/05/2008 12:46

It is great tiktok. I feel so much happier in myself at the mo.
DH gets to do a couple of the night shifts with the formula, so I am milking (no pun intended) for all it is worth at the minute. Not that DD wakes much in the night anyway. She only wakes once in the night a couple of times a week and sleeps through mostly.

Also mu has had DD for a couple of evenings while DH and I have gone out and it is a wonderful feeling, I feel like a human again.

The difference a couple of weeks make.

OP posts:

StealthPolarBear · 18/05/2008 13:26

Have just read this thread frm the beginning- what a fantastic end! So glad everything has worked out well

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread