For the first time, breastfeeding is hard :(

I had a nice warm shower - that felt fantastic - and tried hand expressing, but I'm so useless at that. It didn't even feel like there was anything in there after using the pump though. I did put DS on there, man did I have to psych myself up for that! Because I'm feeling so crappy I think I made it even worse in my head. He was on there for a bit, til he'd had enough. I still feel off though, but after going outside to bring in the washing I realised it's my legs, butt and shoulders that have sore muscles. Maybe I've overdone the exercise, I don't know.

I'm just all around tired and feeling blergh right now, so I'm going straight to bed once he's back asleep. He's on the right now, I'll put him on the left after. The funny thing is once he's latched on and I've gotten through that pain, if he comes off, has a look round then goes back on, it doesn't hurt that time.

Unfortunately does sound a lot like mastitis

Take nurofen (can take panadol too if you need it but nurofen better for mastitis)
Go to bed. Go directly to bed. Stay there as much as humanly possible.
If you feel worse in morning go to doctor ASAP
Cabbage leaves on breast does work. Will reduce supply slightly (as will being sick) but it will recover
Do you have a pump you could use for the sore side?
Any lumps?

Do you have a bath? I found hand expressing easier in the bath. Submerge the breast for a bit then I would massage down towards the nipple and press the nipple as I got their (essentially pinch the outer side of the areola). In the bath I found it easier to find and work on any lumps.

:hug: Hun hope it's not mastitis!

It's reassuring that the pain improves or goes away. Hopefully this means things are on the up.
How are you feeling today?

I've only just read this thread now Hun, I'm so sorry you're going through a tough patch. I don't have any helpful advice but I'm thinking if you this afternoon for your appointment xxx

Last night was good, he only woke twice so I only had to give him the left once. It still hurt, there doesn't seem to be any pattern to the pain. Some times are ok, others are unbearable.

We're at the surgeon's now. He said it is significant enough that it should have been done immediately, so I'm a bit sad that we could have avoided this. Also his upper lip tie is apparently prominent, I thought it was ok.

DS has had panadol and a sedative. Need to wait 30-60 minutes for it to kick in, then he's getting a local anaesthetic and it's being burned rather than cut. He's had a feed because he didn't like people in his mouth, and now he seems a bit spacey. It's been nearly half an hour since the sedative so I guess it's starting to work. He's smiling and talking to the ceiling. He's happy to lie in my lap, where normally he's struggling to sit up all the time.

As for potential mastitis, I've woken up perfectly fine. Canned last night's workout and went to bed in my awesome new bed :-) Am holding myself together quite well right now.

Hoping it all goes well for both of you. Good news on saying goodbye to the mastitis

Glad you're feeling alright and hugs for today. You'll both get through this ok. Sounds like the doc is looking after him well.

Thanks re mastitis, I'm very relieved!

He's all done, he is such a little champ!! I'm so freaking proud of him. I opted to have someone else hold him and leave the room, I didn't want to flinch or have him pick up on my nerves. I was sitting in the office next door, heard a tiny noise when he got the local and next thing I know, they're bringing him in to me!

He's pretty dopey and his tongue is numb so he tried to feed but couldn't. He had a good feed just before it happened though so he's okay. I've just put him in the car and he's chewing on his toy keys, looks like he'll be snoozing in no time :-)

Good little champ! Hopefully this starts another less painful journey for you both :)

Glad it went well Teeki :)

That's awesome that he handled it so well teeki, what a little trooper. Hope this leads to a dramatic improvement and you can start enjoying bf again. I remember with DS1 that when the pain went away, breast feeding became this beautiful thing. And it took no time at all, especially after the long time suffering, for my nipples to heal and for the pain to totally disappear. Though the anxiety hung around for a little while longer. Hugs to you, and remember we're still here if you need to talk.

Thanks again everyone :)

We're home now, he's still a bit dopey but has plenty of smiles for his Daddy and sister :D He's having another feed and has fallen asleep. His action already seems better, he's got more in his mouth and he's not breaking the seal.

You know it's not til I was halfway home that I realised I didn't ask many questions at all. He said he'd burn it instead of cut it - with what? And I didn't ask anything about the sedative or local. I don't usually just do what people say without questioning, but my mind wasn't really working that way I guess. I'm just glad he's ok.

So glad to hear that it all went well. Do you have their number to call with any questions you think of? I'm the same re asking questions at the time I just go blank and then think of them afterwards!

Huge hugs to you and your little trooper!

I do have their number, but I think I'll leave it for now. The Dr said he's never had an infection or side effects but to call immediately if things don't seem right, so if we're all good I think we'll just carry on. I just thought after "hang on, I just did all this without even knowing what it was, what if it was something I didn't want?" They were all so lovely with him though, and very caring, so I don't doubt they did the best for him.

It must just be the sedative still in his system but for the first time in a week he finished a feed and came off in his own instead of me removing him after forever. He then transferred easily to his hammock and had a good nap. Fingers crossed things are looking up!

Teeki it's wonderful to read how well he handled the procedure. I would have left the room too... DD needed a Bt recently and we both ended up in tears. Not fun seeing your LOs in difficult situations!

I hope you have an ok night tonight :hug:

Oh Teeki I am so glad.

OP I'm dreading ever needing to do something like that with my kids! I had my first blood test when I was five and I screamed the hospital down. My poor mum was just as traumatised as I was :(

The poor little guy had a rough evening. It seemed like feeding hurt because he definitely wanted to, he'd search around for it but then he'd come off crying. Then he'd get grumpy because he was hungry and not getting anything. Once he finally fell asleep he only woke twice overnight and he feeds easily this morning. It seems like the left side will take a while to heal because there's still a lot of pain there, but we're getting there :)