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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

8 weeks of breastfeeding and I'm on the verge of giving up... HELP!!

39 replies

Becky77 · 07/08/2008 20:44

Arghhhh the pain just isn't going away... I've tried every position... and things have got ever so slowly better... But it's 2 steps forward 1 step back and I'm finding myself getting agitated at my DD... I think it's time for me to give up for both our sakes...

The only things keeping me going is the hope her mouth will grow enough by 10 weeks for her to stop scraping the edge of my nipple and the weight loss benefits!

But seriously... I am soooooo upset by this I can't believe it has been so difficult and that after all this time it still isn't working how it should

OP posts:
Bumperlicious · 07/08/2008 22:16

Some people swear by silverette cups for healing. May help your nipples heal a bit quicker.

veritas · 07/08/2008 22:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

katyjo · 07/08/2008 23:23

Hi Becky77 I think your baby has a high palate. I have been having real issues feeding my daughter, I fed my son for 14 months with no particular problems but I have no end of problems with her.

I have seen so many people who kept telling me my latch was fine , but my nipples were a total mess. The ends looked really grazed as if she was sucking all the skin off. I have found a wonderful bf support nurse who said she is battering her nipple off the roof of her mouth. Mia is only 10 weeks so we are still getting things right, but I have been expressing and giving her bottles of EBM and trying to make sure that we get a really good deep latch (ie really wide moutn and shape your breast from underneath in a u if cross cradle hold - see kellymom).

If this had been my first I would have given up bf all together, but I know how wonderful it can be. My problems are starting to ease and I am sure yours will too. I have seen 5 hv/bf counsellors until I found one who was able to help. Good luck

katyjo · 07/08/2008 23:24

obviously my nipple not hers!!

LackaDAISYcal · 07/08/2008 23:48

You poor thing; it is awful when it isn't going well, but wonderful when it is. You have done well to keep going under these circumstances

I second what veritas has said...has she been checked for tongue tie?

It's a lot more common than you'd think and any BFing problems can be solved by a simple snip that doesn't even need any anaesthetic.

If that isn't the issue, then it's almost certainly one with your latch or positioning; if she is a fraction too far towards your underarm or cleavage (iyswim)then problems will occur.

I think the only way to sort this is to contact someone from one of the BFing charities, numbers here, and they will put you in touch with a local counsellor who will be able to come out and see you.

It really is worth persevering and getting it sorted, and even the feeding in public will come good eventually.

In the meantime, the shields are a useful tool for getting you over this sore patch; other things you can try are some biological nurturing positions and letting her latch on herself rather than you helping her to latch. And taking to bed with her a for a few days with lots of skin to skin is a wonderful way to help with any blips and regain some confidence.

I hope you get it resolved soon

Original poster
Becky77 · 08/08/2008 07:49

Thanks for all your help everyone.

@ Wilfsell - I think you're probably right I'm holding her too far towards my armpit. I shifted her along at the 3am feed and I wasn't getting the chomping. The angle she was at was making her use her top and bottom jaw to stimulate the nipple and the top gum was irritating.

So when I moved her over the nipple was still sore but not being irritated so I'm assuming that's just from before and it'll recover soon if I keep doing it right.

fingers crossed

OP posts:
Original poster
Becky77 · 08/08/2008 07:52

@ KatyJo - I do agree though about the High Palate thing... I think she probably has got one otherwise it wouldn't have been so difficult up until now.

OP posts:
Bumperlicious · 08/08/2008 09:12

Sounds positive Becky, check out Kellymom for more advice. Good luck. It will be so worth it if you can power through this.

LackaDAISYcal · 08/08/2008 09:24

Glad things are a bit better this morning Becky

As bumper said it is just so worth it in the long run and soon you will be looking back thinking this time was a bit of a dream.

Good Luck

WilfSell · 08/08/2008 09:27

hurrah! I found just constantly shifting a centimetre or so when it was sore until I found the right position helped. After you've done this (and hit the right spot) a few times, you will then just 'know' when it is right... Keep practising and don't lose heart: if it gets you down, come on here and moan at us

Original poster
Becky77 · 08/08/2008 10:37

Hmmm not so successful this morning... It's so frustrating... She just doesn't open her mouth really wide either to get a huge gob full...

I think I'm gonna have to get some nipple shields today after all

OP posts:
Bumperlicious · 08/08/2008 11:27

Are you making her wait long enough before you put her on? Try making her wait a few more seconds to open her mouth really wide before latching her on.

Original poster
Becky77 · 08/08/2008 12:42

the thing is if I wait she cries... if she cries she cant latch at all... it's catch 22

OP posts:
katyjo · 09/08/2008 09:30

becky I tried nipple shields, they did seem to work and bf was pretty pain free, but bf counsellor said she wouldn't recommend them. I will go back to them though if I can't get it right, much less hassle than formula or being in pain for months!

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