[minidiamond]

I know everyone is different but I am having a real struggle at the moment and fluctuate between 'fighting through' and giving up.

Last weekend I developed a really sore nipple (thread in this section on thrush) - which hasn't resolved despite treatment for thrush - even though two LCs have now looked at the nipple & said it isn't thrush.

Long story short, I can't get a definitive diagnosis on it - and both nipples are now absolutely killing me, red raw. I can't really understand why this happened at 6 weeks, understand bub has his growth spurt etc - but it really feels like it's becoming too hard.

I guess this isn't necessarily the section to post a negative BFing question - but should I just give up ? How long did people persist with problems with feeding ?

I just fed DS, who is a bit out of sorts due to vaccs today, and he only wanted one side & has gone to sleep. I expressed from the other side & got hardly any milk & now that's made me even more depressed ...

DS is 6 weeks old and doing really well. DH took him to his parents alone tonight & DS was a bit upset when he got home so I gave him a feed that actually went ok on the better breast - and I lay there thinking how lovely it was for us both. But the other 95% of the time, I dread feed time approaching.

This post has been edited by Liltuss: 21/09/2012, 10:14 PM

[buffygirl]

I found bf really painful for the first 7-8 weeks, my nipples were badly cracked with open sores (sorry TMI). So I have some understanding of how painful it can be.

I ended up pumping and using nipple shields for a couple of days, this seemed to give my nipples a break and I was able to continue bfing.

Could you try something similar?

Good luck

[lucky 2]

I know you know we cant answer the "should I give up" question for you, so sorry.
I did have bfing difficulties with a baby with tongue tie, reflux/fussy feeding, but I didn't have your issues, I didn't have pain like you.
What is going on with your nipples? It's a mystery isn't it but something is not right.
Have you tried ? antibacterial cream (can get from GP), do they have a colour change ie go white?
Does baby have a tongue tie that isn't obvious/missed.
I wish I could help and make that pain go away.
Is expressing any better, could you do that instead while you sort through what you have to do?
All the best .

[FluffyOscar]

It was the hardest thing I'd ever done in my life OP. Having oversupply, massive boobs, a colicky baby - all these things conspired against me.

However it got much easier, and I would say that you should persevere if you are happy to. The things that helped me were that my DH would sit up with me for every overnight feed and that I looked at it as a day-by-day proposition. Like sobriety.

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

Re: your nipples, how long is your DS feeding each side? Once my DD fed for an hour off one boob only. I learned what a bad idea was.

This post has been edited by FluffyOscar: 21/09/2012, 10:10 PM

[minidiamond]

Thanks guys.
I am getting different opinions from pretty much everyone I see on the nipples. I have a couple of white spots on the end, so have tried to treat for blebs/milk blisters (warm compress/olive oil/epsom salts & trying to 'extract' the blister) - eventually ending in using a sterile needle but nothing came out, just some bleeding. One LC ruled out nipple vasospasm where they might change colour. Two ruled out thrush after looking, GP doesn't really know.

It's been suggested I try airing / sunning and keeping them dry, it's also been suggested I use lansinoh which obviously keeps them moist.

I am trying all of these things !

I think one of the worst things is, this has only just come on - it's not like I've struggled from day one like I know some people may have - up until now I have been fine, so I'm just not sure why it's happened all of a sudden. This is really dumb I know, but when I got no milk tonight from expressing one side, I thought maybe it's a 'sign'.

Have expressed for 24 hours earlier in the week, which did provide some relief, fed again yesterday but it's all gone pearshaped today again. I bought some nipple shields, haven't tried them yet, maybe that's my last resort.

This post has been edited by Liltuss: 21/09/2012, 10:12 PM

[Old Grey Mare]

I found it to be a nightmare. I battled to maintain a supply as I have really flat nipples and attachment was almost impossible. I persisted with both babies for about 2-3 months then switched to bottle feeding. They both survived to be robustly healthy. While I still believe BF is preferable it is not always possible so if it doesn't work for you don't beat yourself up about it.

[Sinister Bonnet]

I had a hideous hideous time of it for the first 10 weeks. Extreme pain in my nipples, no thrush, letdown that had me levitating with pain.

Then it all came right and we had a harmonious bfing relationship which was lovely until he self weaned at 2 years. If you had told me that at 6 weeks I would have thought it was impossible. Unfortunately I don't know what came right for us and how we fixed it except time. The nipple stuff in particular.

I hope it comes right for you. It really was an awful time for me.

Next baby FWIW was born, latched on, and we never looked back. Absolutely no dramas at all ever.

[Loulla]

BF was hard in the beginning in terms of him latching on properly etc. but my nipples have been okay maybe because I put Lansinoh on religiously throughout the day. I only use it occasionally now when he's had a super hungry day. Maybe do what a pp said and get some nipple shields for a rest and use Lansinoh once you start up again. Hang in there x

[minidiamond]

It was the hardest thing I'd ever done in my life OP. Having oversupply, massive boobs, a colicky baby - all these things conspired against me.

However it got much easier, and I would say that you should persevere if you are happy to.

Do you recall when it got easier?

The things that helped me were that my DH would sit up with me for every overnight feed and that I looked at it as a day-by-day proposition. Like sobriety.

funny thing is, it's driving me to drink

[Born Three]

Yes!

With my first I had severely cracked and bleeding nipples. So much so that she was nicknamed the vampire baby as she always had blood trickling down the sides of her mouth. Her vomits were also blood. I was determined to keep going. I worked on attachment with an LC. I also wore a shield for a short time. They got better, it got so much easier and I fed her for 16 months.

DS1 - I only had a four month break and was surprised I ended up with cracked nipples again. It wasn't as bad and lasted a week or two. I fed him for 22 months.

DS2 - One week in and I am in so much pain. Nipples are cracked and I am questioning how did I do it before. I am focusing on attachment however it's still toe curling right through the feed. I do have hydrogel pads I am wearing but not sure it helps.

Good luck!

This post has been edited by 2 Bubbas: 21/09/2012, 10:17 PM