Feel like a failure..... :o(

I'm feeling down again about my right nipple, it just doesn't seem to be healing and is really sore and cracked. Yesterday I did every 3rd feed from it but last night when I tried to feed, the pain was so bad that I had to put bubby back on the L breast. I am sure the poor wee thing had almost drained that breast and she didn't get a great nights sleep after feeding.
I'm taking panadol and one nurofen just to get through it - is this ok? I am going to make an appointment to see my GP tomorrow because my R nipple looks really awful - like there is a small hole in it or something.

We even bought some formula today (but I do NOT intend on using it unless I really really really have to) for just maybe one feed per day. DH is actually looking forward to being more a part of the feeding so that will be good for him. I just feel so GUILTY for even having to do this. Surely this should not be this painful?

I did manage to use my breast pump on my R breast though and got a good amount this morning so bubby can have some of that later if things are bad for the R breast. I really don't want my R breast to stop producing milk. I spoke with an ABA counsellor yesterday which was really good but am just at my wits end.

I bought some lansinoh which has totally healed my L breast.
Just don't know what is going on with the R one. Our attachment is really good!

Sorry, just wanted to rant and get that off my chest. It's good to have everyone's support.

More:hug: I sooo remember the pain you're having, and I DP out one night to buy formula when I thought I couldn't cope, DS was coming into the 2 week growth spurt, and my nipple looked like someone had tried to cut it off from the bottom, so as to come away from the areola IYKWIM and I had a very hard time trying to feed, but the formula is still in the cupboard unopened. I think knowing it was there was comfort for me to know and took some pressure off.
I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure you can just feed from one breast until your other one heals. Your left will produce more to keep her satisfied. As for the right not producing enough, I would guess if you feed/pump as much as you can the supply will increase again when you're back in the swing of things. But again I'm no expert I'm sure someone else can correct me if I'm wrong and give you some more advice.

Keep hanging in there it is worth it if you can get things all good, but also don't wrack yourself with guilt about buying the formula! You're only human and sometimes things get too much. :hug::goodluck:
Good luck at the doc.

I got some nipeze (or similar name) for when I had DS and it was really great, the other thing is to air your nipples (gross sounding I know!!)

Poor chicky. I have had cracked nipples but not too bad, and i have managed to repair them with lansinoh and putting milk. I did have my toes curling though when my little one started to suck.

I have started doing baby led attachment sometimes, and often she will attach perfectly (better than when i try to help). Not sure if it her positioning (sort of squatting on my lap sitting up) or she just knows better- but couple times over night there was no pain at all on attachment.

here is some info if you are interested
Australian Breastfeeding Association - Baby-led attachment

be good to yourself,

take care

Kate

Hi Sue,

Hope things are going better this afternoon for you...

Just wanted to make you aware of another option in case it comes to it. I tried bfing in hospital, but the pain was excruciating (nothing seemed wrong - perhaps thrush - but prob I am just very sensitive). So I have been exclusively expressing for my almost five week old since day 4. There are some down sides - it's expensive to buy all the bottles and a really good breast pump, but it's great that he's still getting my milk. There are also some definite upsides - including that I'm getting pretty decent sleep because DH can do one of the night feeds!

If you want to talk about exclusive expressing feel free to PM me! But I hope bfing is working out for you!

Please ask your GP to swab your baby's mouth for thrush, just in case that's preventing healing.
I recommend also using water therapy - hot bath or shower and take your time; it's therapeutic and will save you in many ways, even if it doesn't 'save water'!! Spend time in the bath just massaging milk out of your dodgy breast after expressing.
The money you spend on an LC (an IBCLC qualified one, not just a hospital title conferred on a nurse who doesn't have this international qualification - Kelly has posted the LC finder for areas in Australia) will save you money on formula, medical bills and the hassle of keeping formula equipment stringently sterilised (the way formula is made makes it very susceptible to bacterial growth, hence all the sterilising that goes with formula feeding). Think about it - $100 for the consultation of someone for whom boobs are their business compared to the regular purchase of formula over 12 months!
You're doing great.
As for DH, there are PLENTY of ways he can be involved in your baby's care that don't involve feeding - there are nappy changes, baths, taking bubs for a walk in the sling after a feed (the satisfaction men feel when a baby falls asleep on their chests in slings is lovely to see!). Right now, evolutionarily speaking, baby needs only you for all her biological and psychological wellbeing. A lot of men take this as an affront and some accept that their time will come - and it DOES! At about 4 months when the baby becomes a lot more interactive you see the change in their relationship. It's OK if dads don't feed babies, so there's no need to force or accelerate the issue :)
Definitely give ABA a call, too - great chicks on the other end of the phone!

Hi honey, hope things are a bit better for you this afternoon. I'd try a nipple shield on the right side for the next few days, it will give your nipple a chance to heal without affecting your supply. I know when my nipples were terribly cracked I'd express, but in hindsight I think it actually did more damage because the suction is so strong iykwim?

Also bathing your nipples in a salt water solution works wonders, just boil some water, mix a little salt in it and let it cool. Then use a medicine glass to put over your nipple and bathe it for a couple of minutes. It really does work wonders and help them heal much faster.

Just checking in to see how you're going?

MUCH better, my nipples are healing after a 48 hour break from breastfeeding - just expressed for a couple of days and saw an LC yesterday which was money very well spent.

Am feeling that we are back on track!!! I am so glad that I stuck with it.
Thanks for thinking of me.

Sue xx

Excellent news :leap:

Was wondering how you were going. Glad to hear things are back on track.
All the best with your BF journey. :)

That's great I'm glad to hear it!:happyforyou:

I just wanted to come and update you guys who were supportive of me when I was having it really tough with the breastfeeding issues I was having.

I just want to say that things are going really well. BUT that is because a good friend of mine who has a 10 month old who she has been breast feeding told me that we were latching on incorrectly!!!!!

Since she actually showed me what to do THE CORRECT WAY, things have been AMAZING.
I am really p!ssed off that I saw a lactation consultant twice, my GP several times and several midwives in hospital - NONE of who told me how my latching on was wrong.

I feel like someone has let me into a huge secret. No more pain, bubby has less wind and seems more satisfied after a feed and in between feeds (she was very cranky - probably hungry because she wasn't on properly!!!!) and overall more confidence in getting out and about (don't have to sit in tears when feeding because of the pain).

I've had a niggly feeling that somewhere down the line, I'd been given bad advice which is why I have persevered with this.

Anyway, all is well.
Thanks for all your support xxxx
Sue x

:hooray: for you (and your friend!)
That's great news. Sucks that the LCs didn't see it though. Just goes to show that sometimes you have to get a few second opinions to find the right one.
anyway, I'm really happy that things are better and well done you for sticking to it :clap:

So glad you and bub are on the right track now. Kudos to your friend.

xx

Fabulous news!! So glad you had such a useful friend!!

Such great news hun! Job well done :dance:

Hang in there, the first couple of weeks are the hardest but once you get the hang of it then it will be the most rewarding thing you can do as a mummy, especially once you get your first milky mouthful smile :D.