Nipples too sore, can't bf, getting depressed

I'm so glad to hear you are persisting and things are going ok using the nipple shield. I have heard that nipple shield use can decrease supply though, can you pump a little as well to try to help increase your supply?

Prama glad you got some good advice from the ABA. Breastmilk is more easily digested by babies, that's why he doesn't go as long between feeds after bfing compared with ffing. Is it possible for the LC to come out and spend a bit more time with you to help with attachment again? The good news is as DS grows his little mouth gets bigger and it gets easier for him to attach - but in the meantime you shouldn't be finding it so painful!

Let me know if you'd like to come along to an ABA meeting, I'm on the north shore, so not too far from you (my MIL lives near there and I know that's way too close for comfort!). I can pull out the next meeting dates (it's once a month) and see if that works for you.

Twin Sister - I know that nipple shield doesnt get as much out but i didnt know it decreases your supply. I tried without it yesterday and it was painful. I might try it later today.

Jennifer - thanks! I was at the last ABA meeting at West Ryde, on the 12th, and met a few mums there. Were you there? I wanted to go for the one on the 26th.. but bub came early and of cos couldnt make it. Are you in the Epping/Ryde area group? or is there another in the nth shore?

I'm in the ABA Turramurra group. I'm not sure when our next meeting is, but it sounds like you've already met some ppl at a group that's closer. Still, if you'd like to meet another BB person in real life we could make a date?!

How are you going today?

Prama, you're making such great progress :)
WRT the nipple shields, don't stress too much about the supply because in order to build supply you're going to need to feed and if you're not feeding for long because of the pain then your aim will be defeated and you may as well stay with shields until you can feed for longer without pain IYKWIM. SHields aren't evil and they can help in your confidence. That said, it is still a good idea to try once every day or every couple of days without them to see how you're going. Unless you can get your hands on some tape that was recommended in a thread that I started here, in relation to nipple pain. I haven't needed to try it yet, and it seems like it interferes less with the skin-to-skin contact that stimulates lactation.
If nipple shields help you to BF, then it's a positive thing.
Anyway, you've been plugging along for a week more than you thought you could do, so see what you're capable of when you give yourself some credit? :dance:

Jennifer - would be great to meet up once we're more settled. :)

Mayaness - thanks hun.. I tried without the nipple shield this morning and it was still very painful, brought tears to my eyes. Sometimes even with the nipple shield, it's painful. I dont know how to make it better.
But my milk is still so little, we have to top up with about 40-60ml formula. I think I must be giving him only 20mls, after 40mins on the breast.

Also I'm not sure when to switch, my boobs arent firm, they're soft. So far, I'm giving one boob a feed then the same boob for about 20mins in hte next feed and then switching. and the second boob for the second half of the feed and full on the following feed. I know I'm supposed to feel for lumpy sections that may not be drained but i find it hard to tell...

Hi Prama - sounds like you're doing pretty well to me:D I had to use nipple shields for a number of weeks too, and they still hurt a bit for a while but as the nipples healed it felt better (well dah... of course it did:doh:) and we gradually weaned off them only about 3 weeks ago. They kept me bfing when I might otherwise have given up! As for feeling for lumpiness etc I know what you mean there too... I'm finding it best to tell the difference by feeling just before the feed and then again just after, and I find that (probably due to their size and the outer fatty layer...) they seem to feel soft on the outside both times, but there's a firmness further in before the feed iykwim - I also find it easier to feel a change by feeling the sides rather than the top (where gravity pulling downwards makes them seem firmer anyway) or underneath (again I'm blaming gravity, this time for making them seem softer). That said, I still check after each feed all over in the same way as the usual monthly breast check to try to stave off blocked ducts etc. And Prama don't worry about your supply - it'll get there! And remember bubs has a very tiny tummy still, so can't take in all that much in one go yet - amazing how nature seems to work things out so that as bubs' tummy gets bigger so does our supply, even if it is hard for us control freaks to relax and let nature take the reins:lol: