dreading breast feeding and a inverted nipple

[sunnymel]

i had inverted nipples & found to start with the best way to get DD to latch on was football style or lying down - mine cracked too so used to rub some breastmilk into them as well as lasinoh also try cabbage leaves that have been in the freezer - i was also told to not tense up when i knew she was going to latch on as that didnt help - sorry im not much help but i promise it does get better - i breastfeed till DD was 19.5months

[Pandora]

Hi.

You are doing a really, really good job.

I have flat nipples, and had a lot of trouble feeding Milo, who also had attachemnt problems.

I was able to breastfeed him for 6 months.

At least 2-3 feeds per day for the first 5 weeks, I decided I was going to give up because it was too painful and I couldn't take it anymore.
I was stressed throughout feeds, and tearing my clothes off becuase I was so uncomfortable.

Then I'd have an OK feed, and decide I could do it.

I spent at least the first month dreading each feed to to point where I didn't want Milo to wake up, because it would mean I had to feed him.

My nipples were red/purple and sore all the time. I had thrush and vasopsasm (thankfully no mastitis). At one point I had blood blisters caused by Milos 'intersting' attachment and sucking action.

I saw a couple of lactation consultants and went to a few breastfeeding day stay programs at the hospital. You should enquire if you haven't already about these at your hopital or any of the large public ones that have maternity wards.

I also rang the ABA (during the blood blister episode, Milo was about 4-5 weks old) and spoke to a lovely woman Yvette who was just fantastic.

It really does get easier. For me it took a lot longer than normal, but for most people by 5-8 weeks its a lot better.

For the soreness etc, the best advice and treatment I found was to

1) air dry after each feed, and try to keep them exposed as much as you can (I unsertand the difficulty of this, believe me)

2) don't overdo the lansinoh/marcalan - a tiny smear really is enough.
Also make sure that your nipples are really dry before you apply it, otherwise you will be trapping the moisture in and aggrevating the problem.

I hope you find that feeding improves really soon.