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

IME sheer bloody mindedness can go a long way in getting you through this b/f stuff! Just seen the 'I hate breastfeeding' thread pop back up and have to say I never really got to the stage of actually ENJOYING it, even though I was lucky enough not to have any real difficulties.

Oh yes, I got through the tough early days/weeks with sheer bloodymindedness. No way was I going to prove the midwife right when she said I'd never feed DS1 myself! I did get to the stage of enjoying it though.

kaz33 - hang in there, it sounded as though you were really getting it together. Try Ibuprofen (Nurofen) for pain relief as it is an anti-inflammatory. It will say on the packet seek advice if breastfeeding or pregnant, but it is definately OK when B/F and is actually recommended for mastitis. If you feel flu like along with the breastpain, phone the doctor for antibiotics. The recommended one for mastitis is flucloxacillin.
If you can, feed from the sore breast. Gently massage the sore breast, encouraging the milk towards the nipple. If you cannot tolerate feeding, express the milk off. The way to resolve the mastitis is to get the milk moving regularly. Pay good attention to the latch and alternate positions.
You CAN do it Kaz. Sounds as though you are having a shi**y time at the minute and everything has got on top of you today. It might b worth speaking to your mum because sometimes they think us daughters are wonderful and coping so well that they are not needed. I know you think she should know you need help, but sometimes we don't send out those signals. She may feel great to know that she is wanted. If she doesn't answer your SOS, then I would be really mad with her.
Definately phone B/F counsellor.
So sorry you are feeling so low. Hope you will feel better soon. I would also advise you to have a couple of glasses of alcohol - great for the let-down

Thanks, feeling better - DS1's nanny has been very supportive. Both kids are now asleep so having the recommended couple of glasses of wine before the next feed.

Did speak to mum but I sort of know the score with her, also spoke to my dad directly which i don't normally do. I said that if he wanted to see the boys then to let me know, he's coming round tomorrow afternoon - he jumped at the chance and was fully appreciative of how tough the whole thing is.... DP called from the USA and it was great to speak to him.

I do actually like breastfeeding and had a total meltdown last night when I decided that I was going to have to bottlefeed - the thought of losing that intimacy is scary.

Kzz- feel free to ring me if you want to chat about BF or other things

Thanks Pupuce, will call if it gets too much.

Am still breastfeeding but it has developed into mixed feeding. It takes the stress of me and I can give him formula at the toughest times of the day when I am most stressed and my milk supply is low.

At the moment I give him a bottle of formula first thing in the morning, then breast feed for the rest of the morning and early afternoon. He gets another bottle in the afternoon, breast feed early evening and then another bottle of formula last thing at night.

Hoping that this will work long term and that I will produce enough breast milk to continue doing this as I do find it comforting and of course the portability is great.

Thanks for your support - without it I think i would have given up earlier and not found my solution.

Next trauma - DS1 has just hit the terrible twos and the nanny leaves next Tuesday !!! Aaaagh.

Hi Kazz33 - good to see that you have found a workable solution for you. If you do think that your milk supply does begin to reduce, you could make use of your breastpump and express when you gve the bottle at evening/night. You would then be able to build up a stock in the freezer (could replace formula) as well as boost your supply. Well done for sticking in there

If I am breastfeeding then he feeds for 15-20 minutes and needs to be fed every two hours, but from what I have read that is pretty normal for a hungry baby at 3-4 weeks. I do check when he has finished and there is still milk in there. If he is formula feed then he lasts four hours.

I have also given up on one breast which is a huge relief. I might well try and express as well, at the moment just starting to settle into a routine.