Breastfeeding problems Need help

[Jennybabymammaof4]

Hi i have 4 boys here i just had #4 im trying to breastfeed him other 3 only lasted 3 months but this one seems more like he wants to i do both bottle top up on soy formula he’s lactose like me but just recently hes cracked my nipple and now im getting almost like acne on around the nipples im so confused never had this before breastfeeding is definitely a joy and a challenge all in one lol 😝

So sorry you are struggling. Is there a BFing Support Group that you could get to today?

Have u tried the National breastfeeding helpline?

I really don't know about the acne, you could try a BFing support group or one of the BFing Helplines like Firsttime suggested. For the cracked nipples, there are some tips on Kellymom.

Has he definitely been diagnosed with llactose intolerance? Only it is extremenly rare in babies and with you having cracked nipples too, it could suggest something else going on like tongue tie.

How old is he? Are you still midwife care?

Lactose intolerance is incredible rare in babies. Human breast milk has 7 times more lactose than cow’s milk so most babies have lots of the enzyme needed to digest cow’s milk. Do you think he is allergic to cow’s milk (CMPA), what are his symptoms? Soya formula is not recommended for babies under 6 months and about half of children with CMPA can’t tolerate soya as the protein is very similar.

Could it be thrush on your nipples? You need to get it looked at by your GP.

Also, as PP said, soya is really not recommended for babies. Your baby is almost certainly not lactose intolerant as this is almost unheard of in babies. He may have CMPA which is an allergy to the protein found in cows milk. Lactose intolerance is a reaction to the sugar found in cows milk.

If your baby does have CMPA your doctor will be able to prescribe a dairy free formula. But please don’t use soya formula.

How are you now @Jennybahymammaof4?

Agree with others about contacting breastfeeding support group or healthcare professional. I'm not sure about the acne, but as someone else said it may be thrush so it's important to get checked.

For cracked nipples I found Lasinoh the best solution, it's 100% lanolin and heals nipples quickly. Bonus is that you don't need to wipe it off before feeds. You should be able to get it in most supermarkets for approx £10.

Also, if your nipples are cracking then you may need to adjust your latch. Baby needs to take your nipple quite far back in his mouth; this is so that it hits the soft palate at the back rather than rubbing against the hard palate at the front of the mouth. Try tapping his nose with your nipple to encourage him to open wide, then encourage the nipple quite far back in his mouth.

Best of luck.