Hun, you are doing a wonderful job of caring for your new little girl
The other posters have given you some wonderful advice already. The cracked nipples could mean that your DD's attachment needs a little tweaking - the ABA or a LC can certainly help with that. This article from the ABA website on Baby Led Attachment - Australian Breastfeeding Association - Baby-led attachment - might be helpful too.
If you would like to PM me with your location in Brisbane, I can give you the contact details of your local ABA group, and also the names of some good LCs that are nearest to you. Mums usually find that the earlier they get some bfing help IRL, the easier it is to get things back on track.
If you need to express for a couple of days to give your nipples a rest, then that is ok to do, although many mums find it harder work. If you want to continue breastfeeding, mums often find it best to feed the EBM (expressed breast milk) with a cup or spoon rather than introducing a bottle, which can interfere with breastfeeding in the early days.
You're not a failure, I also found establishing breastfeeding horribly difficult, I think many mums do.
Have you been to see your GP about the mastitis? It's really important to get on top of it asap and you will probably needs some AB's. Cabbage leaves (just tucked into your bra) are great for relieving the inflamation, and I also found heat packs on the blocked area before feeding then massage prior to and during the feed really helped to clear it. But it took me a good week to get rid of the lump altogether so perserverence is really important
I also had terribly cracked nipples for the first few weeks. I saw a LC a couple of times who told me our attachment was perfect, but I was still getting the cracks. To help stop the cracks from getting infected I would bathe my nipples in a salt water solution. A medicine glass works really well for this because you can put the solution in and then put the cup over your nipple and give them a really good clean iykwim.
In the end I found nipples shields to be a lifesaver. I wouldn't have been able to continue breastfeeding without them. I used them full-time up until about 8 weeks when I gradually started to wean DS from them. I started off just doing one feed a day on each side without it and then built up to two, then every second feed, until he was 12 weeks and we were finally able to say goodbye to them.
I also gave my DS expressed milk in a bottle on occassions. For us it didn't cause any problems with breast refusal, but I do know for some mums it does. Like the others have said bfing really does help to clear a blockage so try and do that if you can, but if every now and then you need a break one bottle every day or so shouldn't do too much harm.
Try not to get too down on yourself. Mastering breastfeeding is no easy feet. Just keep trying and do all you can to get rid of the mastitis and heal your nipples. Good luck x
Just wanted to say that you are not a failure, your doing a wonderful job and don't you forget that.
Im sorry i can't offer you any advice as i have never been fortunate enough to be able to breastfeed, im hoping to be third time lucky. In the meantime i want to offer you some 's and say your a wonderful Mummy to the most beautiful little girl in the world.
Awwww sweetie, you are not a failure you are doing such a wonderful job, even if it doesnt feel like it at the moment
I never had mastitis but I have had the pain of a gashed nipple, I was sure DD would suck it clean off if I fed her again from it! I ended up expressing from that side for 7 weeks, fed solely off my right side for that time but gave the EBM in a bottle, once every few days. Eventually I was able to get DD back on that side and she had no problems going back to that side. Bit different I know but I think it kinda shows that 'different' approaches can be done.
Hang in there hun, there are 'teething' problems to over come but you sound determined and thats the best thing possible to overcoming these hiccups.
I expressed some milk yesterday and bubby took it straight away from the bottle with daddy! It was amazing and having that one little break from mummys breast made all the difference and really did wonders for my confidence again.
I'm expressing in between feeds now and it is going well. And my breasts are healing nicely - along with taking the panadol and a nurofen to help with the pain of the mastitis I think that we are going to get through this in one piece!!
Sue, that's great news that things are going so much better for you Well done for getting through such a difficult time!
How long have you had the mastitis hun? Usually the anti-biotics knock it off pretty quickly, so if you are still in pain from it after a couple of days you might need different abs, or perhaps there is still a lump that hasn't been cleared. If you want some more information or reassurance, you can call the ABA helpline - 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 2 686) any time, 24 hours, 7 days and it's a toll-free call. You don't need to be a member.
All the best with everything hun. Keep up the great work.
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