Hi all,

Background:
- 12 week old baby
- expressed exclusively for 7 weeks
- have been breastfeeding for last 5 weeks (with a few expressings in there)
- right side generally ok with breastfeeding
- left side varies between very painful and excruciating. Has been this way all along. After a bfeed it aches for a couple of hours (bad enough that it keeps me awake at night)
- had mastitis 1 week ago, but pain is unrelated. Mastitis was actually a welcome break from the feeding pain. Not that the feeding pain went away in this time - was just nice to have a different main problem. If I could choose to have mastitis or the feeding pain I'd go with mastitis hands down.

Things it's not: thrush, other infection, cracked or grazed nipples, low supply, overactive letdown, vasospasm (have had this but is not happening at the moment)

Things I've tried: breast shields (very slight reduction in pain, but not enough to consider them effective), different positions (football hold slightly better than others). I have spent HOURS researching and I'm sure the attachment is fine, or as good as is possible (especially given that right side works fine). I have spoken to ABA numerous times, and they have been extremely helpful, but can't think of any more suggestions.

Please don't suggest a LC - too $$ at the moment. I can't go back to the hospital where he was born for help as he is now too old. I can go to baby clinic, which I will do this week. But I've had several experienced bfeeders watch feeds and they can't pick anything wrong with attachment.

The only thing I can think of after all my research is that the problem side's nipple is bigger and flatter than the other (LC in hospital commented that it was quite flat - but I would have thought all the expressing would have drawn it out). Also, dr said that baby's mouth is quite small. It feels to me like he can't get enough of the areola into his mouth, and the nipple is being squashed into his hard palette. When he comes off, there is sometimes a white line through the nipple like it's been pinched. The white line is always from one corner of his mouth to the other. But does a squashed nipple explain the aching afterwards?

Feeds are currently 10 mins either side, and he is getting plenty in that time - good weight gains and sleep patterns.

So my question is whether sometimes there are bfeeding problems that are unresolvable? I'm going to try expressing on the sore side for a few days, but I really want to get back to full bfeeding if at all possible. But I can't keep going with this pain - I've been in pain every day since he was born.

Thanks!