breastfeeding for a week now... not sure how much more I can take

[star6]

Hi there,
I was advised by the lovely ladies on my october antenatal thread to post here. They have been incredibly helpful and supportive, so I have not given up just yet. DS typically feeds for 30-45 minutes on one side. It's incredibly draining. The latch is not perfect. In fact it's horrible. I wince in pain when he latches on. I follow all of the advice from the bf counsellor, midwives and websites but he just refuses to take it unless it's that same painful latch!! have red scabbed over spots on tip of both nipples now and feeling engorged quite often.
Questions:
How long does a baby usually feed from each breast for? Do you usually offer both with each feed?

Is there any way to get him to latch better? He seems just so stubborn with it...

It's day 9 now and the sides of my breasts (the outer part) is very sore to the touch (not red or anything, just sore). Is that normal?

I'm hand expressing a bit when they become engorged and even pumping with electric pump while he feeds on the other side to relieve it sometimes... any other ways to treat engorgement?

When I lay down to try to sleep my whole body feels like one big headache, especially my legs, everything throbbing (maybe I'm just overdoing it with housework?) How dangerous IS it REALLY to take more than 8 paracetmol within a 24 hour period?

Sorry for the essay... I'm a bit of a mess. Really weepy and difficulty controlling emotions as well.

[star6]

OK, just to update - DS is latching on well most of the time now on both sides. I still wince with pain at the first bit, but it gets easier... sometimes it doesn't even really hurt! Hes feeding well and has gained 1 1/2 pounds in his 3.5 weeks of life!! He's now 7lbs!
Thank you to all of you for your support to keep going and not give up!
Problem now is that my nipples are still really sore. I can't let the water hit them in the shower and using a towel over them is absolutely horrendous... I think I may have thrush. Had gp look at ds and she said ds doesn't have it. My nipples are itchy and pink (not shiny unless I put lansinoh on ). I just don't know how to heal the cracks, either... I put lansinoh on all the time. They are quite raw and sore... any suggestions? Even the pump hurts at that first tug, I dread it.

[hollyberry16]

star6

It sounds like you might have thrush, smae symptoms as me. Most doctors don't beleive in it leave alone are abel to diagnose it. Have you contacted the breastfeeding network? They were fantastic with me, confirmed it was thrush, gave me a leaflet on what to prescribe for my doctor and it all cleared up with pain-free breastfeeding from then on. Good luck, you're doing brilliantly.xx

[star6]

thanks hollyberry what is the medication? I will just go buy it and bypass the trip to the gp.