Complete Opposites. Help?

[natari]

Hi Guys,

thought I would jump on here and try to get some advice etc before calling a consultant as I am quite upset today after trying unbelievably hard to make this breastfeeding work!

After a few visits at around 3 weeks to a lactation consultant as I have an inverted left nipple, we "graduated" as she felt we were feeding quite successfully.

now 6.5 weeks in... My right breast and baby are great friends - plenty of milk ( i leak constantly...) and he attaches well. But the left side is in all sorts of trouble!

It is half the size of the right.
The nipple has a huge crack and hole in the side of it which bleeds at least on one feed per day.
Attachment is very poor, we will try 10 times over during a feed until attaching as best as possible is good enough for the both of us because it hurts the least for me, and he isn't fussing and pulling at the nipple constantly.
Expressing is difficult too, by hand/pump is very hard and I am lucky to get 10 ml after a very long time of expressing.

I am so determined to breastfeed bub but am having such a hard time with the left side and feeling very defeated.

I guess I am looking for some solutions to supply and attachment ( as I read my post over myself, trying to figure out what I was getting at!)

Thanks to those of you who reply.

[natari]

By the way...

Baby is putting on weight well - born 3.860kg and is now 5.05kg.
Lots of wet and poo filled nappies everyday.

So, in terms of getting enough milk ( at least from the right side) he is doing swell.

[Ginger]

ok, i would prob think about seeing the LC again

otherwise i would be calling the ABA 1800 mum 2 mum to get some advice.

has it been suggested to you to try a nipple shield on the dodgy side at all?

[natari]

hi ginger,

I have contacted the ABA, but havent got any answers yet...

he HATES nipple shields and refuses to feed until I take it off!

I might try a different brand of nipple shield perhaps? any suggestions?

[onthefly]

Well done feeding your baby so well! (even with just one breast)
I would go back to the LC for more in-person advice
Good luck!

[Snacks]

I agree, I think you should have a chat to a LC or the ABA or both.
FWIW, here's my advice.
1. Don't give up! You are obviously doing fantastically as your baby is thriving. This is really good news
2. Stimulating the left side is going to help make more milk. It will help getting someone to look at your attachment again, but it could be that bubs just gets very impatient at the left breast because due to the difficulty you've had on that side it doesn't produce as much (my issues are with my RHS and it has always been much smaller). If you feel your attachment is right but the damage is being caused by bubs pulling off/getting frustrated, then I would suggest feeding first from the right when bubs is desperately hungry. Then once you are both more relaxed, offer the left. Then keep offering the left, even if you don't think bubs is 'asking' for a feed. The more you feed, the more milk you'll make and if he's not raging hungry he probably won't be too impatient, KWIM?
3. If all else fails, you can very successfully feed from just one breast. I have been pretty much solely feeding from my LHS for a couple of months now. No problems! I look a bit lopsided, but it's worth it. LOL!

Good luck, mate. I admire your determination. It is still early days and breastfeeding can be tough in the first few weeks. So give yourself a chance. You're doing extremely well!