Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Mastitis has ruined breastfeeding

28 replies

Applecrumble24 · 11/11/2022 13:15

Hi
I have a 9 month old dd who was ebf until just over a week ago.
i had mastitis the first time when she was around 5 months and the milk supply never came back in that side so we continued one sided nursing successfully.
Now I’ve just had mastitis again on the other side, it was too painful to feed and there was virtually no milk when pumping so she’s had to have formula for 6 days. Now she won’t feed from me at all. She won’t latch, turns away and just isn’t interested.
i feel really sad, I wasn’t ready to stop so suddenly and miss feeding her.
i have got some supply back as I’ve still been pumping but has anyone successfully got a baby back to the breast? How long did it take? Or should I just accept that breastfeeding is over for us?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
notmyrealmoniker · 11/11/2022 13:25

I'd accept it's over. She nearly at an age when milk isn't her main food and she seems really averse to the breast now.

SamanthaVimes · 11/11/2022 15:11

It can be really upsetting when something out of your control happens to disrupt feeding like this.

If you want to get her back to it try offering when she isn’t mega hungry, maybe take some baths together for skin to skin. Try and keep it as low pressure for her as you can so it doesn’t become a battle.

If you can get to a breastfeeding group in person they’ll probably have ideas of how you can encourage her back if that’s what you decide you want to do.

Original poster
Applecrumble24 · 11/11/2022 18:07

Thank you both.
It is upsetting, yes @SamanthaVimes
I’ve tried skin to skin and offering several times throughout the day but she’s still not interested.
i know deep down I’ve got to just accept it but she is my last baby and the only one I’ve managed to successfully breastfeed past a few weeks

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

6-9 months old 9-12 months old Antenatal & postnatal Babies & sleep
BigSidLittleSid · 11/11/2022 18:11

9 months is an amazing achievement!! I do understand the feelings of upset though. Remember some of it may be the hormonal adjustment too.

Have you looked up nursing strikes? If you want to keep BF I would keep offering and expressing to up supply.

stargirl1701 · 11/11/2022 18:12

I had success in getting a latch by having a bath together and bed sharing.

Abridget7 · 11/11/2022 18:32

I'd try at night when they're a bit sleepy. Does she still have a night feed?

Original poster
Applecrumble24 · 11/11/2022 19:18

Thanks @BigSidLittleSid

I’ll try a bath tomorrow @stargirl1701

She has a feed around 4:30/5am before getting up at 7. I’ll try that feed but I’m a bit nervous of a bad latch and/or biting when I can’t see!

OP posts:
Original poster
Applecrumble24 · 12/11/2022 07:34

@Abridget7 she took the 5am feed from me!
Even if she just has that one, I’ll be happy with that 🙂

OP posts:
SquigglePigs · 12/11/2022 07:36

That's great OP! Really pleased for you. It's rubbish when something takes the decision out of your hands!

Margo34 · 12/11/2022 07:41

Abridget7 · 11/11/2022 18:32

I'd try at night when they're a bit sleepy. Does she still have a night feed?

This! And try when baby not hungry. My little had a nursing strike during a spout of illness at 13m old for 4 days so not as long as you, and took some coaxing back but we got there.

I found trying to offer too frequently baby would sometimes get distressed so I took the pressure off us both, pretended play feeding favourite teddy, lots of skin to skin and cuddles and feeding at night when drowsy and first thing in morning when not properly awake.

Good luck

SamanthaVimes · 12/11/2022 08:26

Applecrumble24 · 12/11/2022 07:34

@Abridget7 she took the 5am feed from me!
Even if she just has that one, I’ll be happy with that 🙂

Aww really pleased for you! I bet that felt very special

I feed my toddler and every now and then make sure I really pay attention because I think I never know when our last feed will be

stargirl1701 · 12/11/2022 10:08

Fab news, OP. 🎉

Original poster
Applecrumble24 · 12/11/2022 12:22

Thanks all.
she took another feed from me this morning laying down in the bed after a bath so maybe that’s it! Either way I’m happy to do a couple a day like that and wean slowly when it’s my decision and not before 😊

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 12/11/2022 12:28

I'm glad she's back to feeding again as you aren't ready to stop.

I fed DD for 3 years, between 2 - 3 it was very sporadic, like a newborn when her last molars came through and whilst she had an awful stomach bug that lasted a week (avoided hospital admission because she was breastfed) to literally 30 seconds once a week. I was still producing milk for two years afterwards so once you have a solid production it doesnt dry up instantly but you also don't get that 'full' feeling either.

Singleandproud · 12/11/2022 12:32

@SamanthaVimes DD gave me her 'notice period' for her last feed. The night before her third birthday, she had a feed which she hadn't done for ages (at that stage I never offered but never refused) , patted my boob, pulled my top down and said "Bye bye booby, I'm a big girl now" which was sweet and that was that.

Original poster
Applecrumble24 · 12/11/2022 13:34

@Singleandproud good to know about the milk production although mine has definitely dropped after the mastitis but hopefully it will go back up again.

I never really thought about the “last feed” until this, I’ll definitely pay more attention now @SamanthaVimes !

OP posts:
SamanthaVimes · 12/11/2022 19:24

@Singleandproud that’s adorable, what a lovely way to end!

Abridget7 · 12/11/2022 19:51

@Applecrumble24 that's great, so happy for you!

Original poster
Applecrumble24 · 13/11/2022 08:48

She did some cluster feeding this morning like a newborn, I was tempted to get her a bottle because she didn’t seem satisfied but then I thought perhaps she’s trying to up my supply.

OP posts:
Hugasauras · 13/11/2022 09:15

She might just be 'reconnecting' after nursing strike. A good sign!

Abridget7 · 13/11/2022 09:35

Yes I personally wouldn't get her a bottle - you might undo some of the really good work you've done over last few days.

If she seems hungry, then at 9months I'd probably look to offer some sort of food - give her breakfast etc.

Feeding is so much about comfort and connection too. It's great she wants to be back at the breast.

Original poster
Applecrumble24 · 13/11/2022 10:26

Thanks all.

@Abridget7 Yes I did get up and give her breakfast at 7, just didn’t want to get up at 5 lol

OP posts:
Angeldelight21 · 13/11/2022 10:42

Can I introduce cows milk earlier?

Angeldelight21 · 13/11/2022 10:55

Please ignore my previous post, posted by mistake

Original poster
Applecrumble24 · 13/11/2022 11:59

@Angeldelight21 No worries, I’ll give my opinion anyway! Cows milk can be given when weaning if mixed in with food eg porridge but not given as main milk drink until 12 months because it doesn’t have enough nutrients

OP posts: