[MegsW]

Hi all,

well I should know what I am doing being #5 but breastfeeding is so stressful with this little man. I have had issues getting him attached and ended up with cracked nipples. My left side has now healed and we are getting it right 95% of the time (just need to reposition him during the feeds as he doesn't stay attached correctly). But the right side is a whole other story.

I think I have mastitis. Since my milk came in my right side got really lumpy and I had to massage lumps out. Because my nipple on my right side got really badly cracked I ended up having to express with a pump for 24 hours to rest the nipple and feed him from a bottle. However the tissue in my breast is sore and whilst I can't find any lumps as such the whole nipple (not just the cracked area) and the actual breast itself is really sore. I have an appointment with my GP today to get checked for mastitis (I also started feeling achey and just generally unwell yesterday so wonder if this is another pointer towards mastitis!). My nipple was feeling really good after resting it for 24 hours so I decided to start feeding him from the right side again, but now I have ended up with it starting to crack again. The feeding is painful and I just can't seem to get it to work on this side. I am using the same techniques to feed him on the right as I am on the left - so if could the fact I might have mastitis mean that he isn't able to attach properly on that side?

I went to the breastfeeding clinic at the hospital this week (before I was feeling so yucky) and the LC told me I am doing all the right things to get him to attach and I just have to perservere. She also agreed with me resting the right side and expressing until the nipple healed and then starting him on that side again.

I am finding this really upsetting and am getting all emotional over it as I really want to breastfeed and won't give up, but I honestly am finding it so painful and draining and I am sure my gorgeous little boy is picking up on it.

Has anyone had issues like this? Could the possible mastitis be causing attachment issues/cracked nipples to be worse? Could I just be really hopeless at feeding him from the right side which is causing all these issues?

Like I said, I am in tears each day over this as my middle 3 kids I fed without barely any issues up until 12 months and I love feeding them. I just want it to work with him.

Hopefully if it is mastitis, antibiotics will help to ease things and we can get back on track. I am just so frustrated!!

[lucky 2]

Oh Megs sorry to hear you are having a rough time.

Has anyone had issues like this? Could the possible mastitis be causing attachment issues/cracked nipples to be worse? Could I just be really hopeless at feeding him from the right side which is causing all these issues?

Hopefully if it is mastitis, antibiotics will help to ease things and we can get back on track. I am just so frustrated!!

This unfortunately is a common scenario, you will feel better soon, but how?
I suspect the mastitis is not causing the attachment issues (although it can make attachment more difficult if the areolar is full and tight- soften it before attaching bub if this is so), more likely the attachment difficulties are causing the mastitis.
You have bf 3 other children so your "equipment" is proven and fantastic. May I suggest that your dear little one is the one with the attachment difficulties (I don't know what they are as I can't see him!).
It is irrelevant that the LC you saw the other day says everything "seems" fine, it isn't or you wouldn't be having the skin pulled off your nipples.
Mastitis usually follows on from attachment difficulties (evident in pain and nipple damage, this leads to poor breast drainage with accompanying congestion and pain, also mastitis is even more likely when you do have broken skin on the nipples, ie a portal of entry for the infection causing micro-organisms.
Antibiotics are important if you are feeling sicker and your breast symptoms are worsening, but what really needs to be "fixed" is the underlying reasons why this little bub is attaching poorly.
I'd call the same of a different LC at the clinic today and let them know what is going on, you do need to have a feed or 2 seen and get bubs mouth assessed.
Meantime I would not be putting bub onto your breast(s) unless you can get a painless attachment. If it hurts to bf on either side and your nipple is squashed then stop doing it, temporarily I hope, if you keep damaging your self the cycle of nipple damage and mastitis will continue.
This is not your fault. These early feeding issues always have the possibility of resolution, but you do need help now.
If you cannot bf bub then you need to get a hospital grade electric pump today express instead, about 8 times a day, each side twice, about 20-30 overall/total.
Theoretically a bub will feed better than a pump, but if you have these attachment issues the pump may do a better job at the moment, and I would do anything that takes away your pain now.
Please don't bf and suffer, its a bit like hitting your head against a brick wall, if you have encountered this obstacle on the path to successful bf you need to divert and find an alternative path until you can get back on track to exclusive and comfortable bfing.
Mastitis-you need Dr, antibiotics (usually Flucloxicillin), rest, fluids, painkiller and anti-inflammatory medication (read the pack for contraindications) and also regular milk removal (ie bf and express or just express).
Sometimes milk removal is difficult due to the mastitis (swelling/congestion/lumps) but just do your best and often with heat packs and gentle massage and cold packs after expressing.
All the best.

This post has been edited by luckytwo: 15/04/2010, 10:22 AM

[deejie]

Luckytwo has pretty much covered everything, but I just wanted to say:

I went to the breastfeeding clinic at the hospital this week (before I was feeling so yucky) and the LC told me I am doing all the right things to get him to attach and I just have to perservere.

I was told the same thing with my first bout of mastitis and perservered. I ended up having 3 bouts on the one side in the first 6 weeks of DS's life. It ruined the milk supply in that breast and despite everything we tried it only ever churned out 10% of what the other side did. If your nipples are cracked and damaged there is obviously something not quite right. I agree with luckytwo I think you need to go back to the LC. Is there a breastfeeding day clinic or something similar you can attend? I attended one and the LC there was just wonderful, observed a couple of feeds and saved our breastfeeding relationship.

I know luckytwo also mentioned Flucloxicillin for antibiotics. I was prescribed Amoxicillin for the first two bouts and perhaps that was why it never really cleared up. The Flucloxicillin and anti-inflammatory meds really helped me clear out the infection and after getting out attachment issues corrected we have never looked back.

Hope you sort it all out soon. It sounds like you are having such a rough time, mastitis is just awful.