Inapiration required and an expressing query

[kaz33]

DS2 is now 7 days old and as you can guess it hurts like hell, also certainly one breast is so clogged up that when he feeds he hardly gets anything out of it.

Intend to persevere because of portability and strangely eonough when it doesn't hurt so much then it is quite sothing...

Have just bought an electric breastpump and pumped clogged breast to try and clear it up. Intending to give him expressed milk at next feed to give the breast a bit of a rest. Expressing was a lot easier than giving him the breast.

Until my clogged breast is feeling better would it be ok to give him an expressed bottle say once a day, when I am at my most knackered and how much should he take ??

Thanks

Kaz33, don't give the clogged breast too much of a rest, or it will get more clogged! Is it the nipples that hurt (soreness) or could it be that he's not latched onto that side correctly? I found that my dd didn't latch onto the left as well as the right and it was a lot more uncomfortable on that side. My Comm MW suggested that I try the "rugby ball hold" (??)on the left, and that improved things dramatically.

HTH

I got blocked loads in the first few weeks of b/f. If i had a lumpy bit, I would try to position ds' chin closest to the lump (as Tissy says, the rugby ball hold might work). The sucking action is then closer to the blockage and stronger and may help to unclog you. My other plan of action was a reasonably hot bath, some paracetamol and a bit of heavy duty massage and squeezing. Not very glamourous but seemed to work. Also try squeezing/massaging during a feed.

Hi Kaz - it's fine but BF will empty the breast better than expressing generally. I can't believe (sorry !) that your son is latched on properly.... PLEASE try to get a BF counsellor (not a MW or HV) to check your latch.... because it will not hurt if he is latched on properly. I have just fixed someone's latch this week and she could not believe how quickly she heeled !

Let hom drink what ever he wants - if he is still hungry after that bottle, give him some breast.

If you want to talk this through - fell free to ring me. Maybe I can walk you through a giood latch over the phone.

Kaz33 - agree with everyone so far who says feed from that breast. Express at the start of the feed and then fix him if you like. You might find it easier to fix him if it is less full. As mums we all favour one side more than the other. If you can get milk out with the pump then so can the baby. He is far more efficient than the pump as pupuce said. It sounds as though the latch is just not quite right. You will be able to sort it - if it hurts the way you describe and the breast is so full, then you will see a big difference when the latch is sorted. Rugby ball hold is great. You might find that it would be a good idea to alternate positions at each feed. Traditional one feed, rugby hold next. Also do not let your breasts get overfull. If ds is sleeping, wake him up to take the milk off. Breastfeeding is a partnership - it works both ways - his needs and yours.
If you are going to express and not feed, then express at leat 3 hourly from that side. I would freeze the milk at this stage and bank it up for when you want to use EBM. I wouldn't give him a bottle just now until you are feeding pain free ie. that you are sure he has learned how to fix properly. Giving a teat to a baby who has not learned to breastfeed properly can compound problems.If you want to give expressed milk give it from a cup or a spoon just now.
As you have already had some comfortable feeds you will find that very soon they will all be comfortable. Hope you have managed to follow my rambling post

I had mastitis twice in the early months (blocked ducts in the breasts), it was very painful when my daughter fed but the doctor advises me to persevere from both breasts at each feed and it eventually got better (I had to have antibiotics for a week though). I found the item called "Breast nurse" (a gel pad shaped as to place on top of the breast)extremely useful to cool the breast (you can put it in the fridge). They are available in John Lewis and many mail order companies have them too. Persevere as I did, it will be worth it for your child! (I breastfed mine until she was 18 months). Phone an NCT breastfeeding counsellor, mine gave me very good advice.

HI ladies

Its not going well, I've had two bad nights where he fed a little, fell asleep then would only fall asleep lying on me and then back up for more. By this morning, me knackered and baby still hungry so gave him some formula.

He just woken up so lets see how we get on!

Hi Kaz33 - if you feel he is not feeding very well, try feeding him skin-to-skin today. Strip him to his nappy and feed him lying in bed if you can. That way you will be able to snooze as well. Hopefully you have got someone at home to help you. If someone is there, once he is fed get them to take him out in the pram to give you a break. It is really important that you get time to bank some sleep today. How is the painful breast - has it improved. Remember that you might find he is unsettled at night whether he has had breast of formula. Don't make the mistake of thinking that he must be permanently latched at night. Again if he is not feeding well, strip him. Skin-to-skin encourages more efficient feeding. Once he has fed, give him to dh so that you can get some uninterrupted sleep. It will get better, honestly. Stick with it.

i second mears (who could disagree) feeding lying down in bed is great - if they fall asleep while feeding it's no problem. mine seems to feed really efficiently this way and then sleep really well. if she does wake dp can have her on his chest where there's no distraction of milk! keep going you're doing reaaly well to be trying to satisfy her

Thanks, he is feeding well on the right hand side and the latch feels ok. The left side is not so good and i appear to have developed a pussy sore on that nipple.

Should I be feeding from both breasts at each feed ?

Last feed was 10.30-11.30 about half an hour, so I am going to follow your advice and wake him up at 1.30pm, feed and then feed at three hourly intervals. Also will try stripping him and see if that helps him keep his mind on the job.

Lastly its day 10 and he still hasn't done a proper bowel movement - last meconium was a couple of days ago. Other than that he seems fine.

kaz33 - is it a pussy sore or is it a yellowy kind of scab? If you have a nipple that is healing it can get quite yucky looking. Is it still painful to feed? You might need some treatment for it. Has the midwife seen it?

You don't need to feed from each breast at each feed. However, since you have had some problems, I would express from the side that you don't feed from. You could keep that milk for the times you need a break, or freeze it and keep it for times that you are out. Alternate the sides you actually feed from, so that you don't have a baby who will only feed from one side.
When you feed from one side, let the baby feed and stop himself. Wind him then offer him the same side again. He will then take more hindmilk and settle for longer. Kids are just in from school - just ask if there is anything else you would like to know, I will check back later.

mears, the midwife is coming tommorow so will get her to check it out. It's a bit pussy - lets hope its on the mend.

Just had a successful feed on both breasts - 30 minutes on the good one and 15 minutes on the other. DS2 then drfifeted off to sleep. Expressing the sore breast and then off to have nap. Housewqrk must wait !!

Next feed - 4.10pm.

Your post sounds more positive. Hope you have a better night. Remember it takes a good 3 weeks to get breastfeeding established so you are going to have days that feel as though feeds are never ending then suddenly it will all start to fall into place. Sounds as though you are actually getting there. You can do it

HAs been a good day on feeds so far, managing to feed on both sides. He is not happy though with loads of wind that is stopping him sleeping. Hoping that sorting out the feeding will make things better.

On the positive side, maybe he will sleep well tonight !!

Keep it up kaz33! Sounds like you are doing fine. On sleep, I hate to sound the pessimist, but as Mears mentioned, it takes a good 3 weeks before you feel like the breasfeeding is established and thus, you will likely not get much sleep for that long anyway. The time passes quickly though - I do remember it well. Congratulations! You have made it through the hardest part of breastfeeding. I agree with what the others said below - better to breastfeed than to express, especially if you are experiencing clogging.

colicynth granules from homeopathic chemist are good for wind. You put a few on the tongue every 5 mins until wind resolves. Good thing about them is that you can repeat them as often as is necessary. Good luck for tonight

Last night was good - fed well before going to bed, up at 3.30am and then again at 6.30am.

Today is tough - it feels like that he has been on my breast all day. By the time he finishes one feed, its time for the next one - well thats what it feels like. Also he is now not sleeping during the day - but on the upside I am catching up on day time TV.

Most importantly I finally understand the difference between a good latch and a bad latch - so now it is just perseverance and time hopefully.

You are definately getting there Kaz33. Just remember some days babies ahr sh*is

kaz33 - keep feeding on the sore side, I know it's painful but keep trying! You don't have to feed from each breast at each feed, you could feed one breast for one feed and the other for the other feed, this was recommended to me when feeding ds and allows the sore nipple a chance to rest.

I know it's awful when you're trying to establish breast feeding but hang in there. I had an awful time with both of mine and baby number 1 (ds) did not attached properly and feed well for 6 weeks, but we go there in the end and went on the feed until he was nearly 12 months old. It really is worth it in the end!

Best of luck and my heart goes out to you,

Chelle

Tjanks we had another good night and today seems to have pretty well. Still feeding on the sore breast, it hurts when he latches on but when he gets going it is ok. He does have a very enthusastic suck !!

The midwife weighed him yesterday and not only has ne regained his birth weight but has put on loads of weight so he obviously is getting enough milk and is thriving. The feeds also appear to be taking less time which probably means that my production is more in line with his needs.

So all in all feeling a lot more positive and yep have caought myself enjoying the feeding at times. Hopefully over the worst.

Well it is not going well, think I am developing Masitisis in one breast. Last night couldn't sleep and ended up giving baby formula because I had just had enough. Again gave him some formula this morning. Think I should admit it that breastfeeding is not going to happen. He is definitely not getting enough nourishment, feeding, falling asleep and then waking starving about 2 hours later. After the formula he looked wide awake - like he was saying finally a full stomach...

Not helped by the fact that DP has been c*p and is now in America on business until next weekend. My dear mother though not working and living less than ten mimutes walk away has been over to see us three times in 17 days. She got the opportunity a couple of weeks before DS2 was born to write a poxy article for a magazine for a poxy amount of money. This "opportunity' was too good to miss although my parents do not need the money. And my friends, because its no 2 no doubt, have been pretty c*p as well.

The only person who has wanted to pick up DS2 has been the nanny !!

Feeling very alone and unsupported.

sorry to hear you're feeling alone right now - not surprising really, you can't be expected to do this all on your own, its hard enough without husband/partner even when things are going well. Is now the time to swallow your pride and call up your friends or your mum and say you really NEED help? I'm sure they will be sympathetic if they know you're on your own. Good luck.

ps never had mastitis so won't hazard advice here - hope others more knowledgeable can help.

no i won't call my mum - she should know, and i won't swallow my pride !!

Strangely enough, just writing it all down makes me feel better and determined to perservere - if only out of sheer bloody mindness. Just fed DS2 and he is lying on sofa with a satisfied look on his face.... ooops now crying, ah well !!

Have you phoned the NCT Breastfeeding Helpline? The line is open 8am-10pm every day, with trained breastfeeding counsellors who will listen and try to help: 0870 444 8708

They should also be able to put you in touch with someone close to you who can come and see you feeding and help solve any problems. Sorry if this has been suggested already!