I really want to keep breastfeeding but I need some help because it really hurts. My daughter is 10 months old and has only recently become interested in solid foods and she won't take a bottle so not only do I WANT to keep going I kind of HAVE to
She has never been the best latcher, but usually painful nursing only lasted a few days, with months of pain free nrusing in between. It has now been a few months of pain and I am at a loss.
Mid March I started experiencing sharp pain in my right breast. I went to the Dr and he thought I might have mastitis so he put me on a course of antibiotics. I knew it was not mastitis but went along with it, and of course it did nothing. I went back to the Dr and asked if it could be thrush. My DD had a diaper rash in her creases so even though he said it was unlikely he gave my some nyastin (sp?) cream for my nipples and her diaper area.
DD's bottom cleared up instantly and I seemed to get better for a day or two, and then the pain returned along with a white bump and some nipple blanching. I read up that it could be a blocked duct or a bleb, so I sterilized a needle and tried to empty it, but nothing happened. Milk was able to flow through the area again but it still hurt. It almost looks like small lump of scar tissue. My nipple also looks a bit cracked at times and I get red irritated spots on the areola where her little teeth rub.
I have started feeding DD mostly on the left side as that side that does not hurt. My right nipple starts to feel like it might be getting better but then after she feeds it burns and aches for hours and I get a sharp stabbing pain into my breast.
My nipple does sometimes look like it may be flattened with those white ridges along the side but not always, and yet I always get the pain with that side and that white spot and the reddness never go away. I have been using Dr Jack Neuman's nipple cream but it only helps marginally.
I have been to see the LC in the past but she really didn't help that much and I don't know what else to do. I will be devastated if I have to give it up but I can't take much more of this. The other day she bit my sore side hard enough to draw blood and that was kind of the last straw.
Please any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Oh sweetie! You've done so well in persevering for so long! I have no idea if this will be helpful, but my DS prefers the right side so I think it has more milk, when he does have a good go on the left once he's done I sometimes get stabby pains, I did some reading and apparantly it can hurt as your breast refills? I know thrush can be hard to get rid of, could it be that still? I also find I get random shooting pain when I'm cold.
As for advice, are there any positions where it doesn't hurt? Maybe put a warm cloth on your breast when she feeds so you get let-down quicker and she doesn't have to suck as much?
Kit - belated congrats on the birth of your little guy!! I'm so happy for you. As for not being much help, you are wrong. Your support means a lot and I will try a warm cloth and a different position and see if it helps (I don't switch it up a lot)
Catherine - I have heard of that, I will do some reading up on it though as I admit I have not read much on it. It is amost summer here so we have had our share of hot days and cold days but it doesn't seem to make a difference.
It could be vasospasm, but I still wonder if it's a white spot (bleb). The pain you describe could be either, but the description of the white spot does sound like it could be the culprit. Also vasospasm would be more likely to be on both sides and worse in cold weather. Some mums find that they can clear a white spot by applying warmth for a few minutes, then rubbing it with a cloth - sort of like ex-foliating - to try and rub the top off it (gently!!). If you have no luck with that it might be worth seeing a different doctor (hopefully one who knows about breastfeeding!) and seeing if they can lift that skin off with a sterile needle. If you do manage to rub the top off, you should then be able to pull the built up milk out - like a string.
I really hope you find the answer and are able to feed pain free again soon. That is a long time to be in so much pain
BTW, I guess another option is to stick to one-sided feeding if that's more comfortable. Some mums do this for various reasons, especially with an older baby.
Thanks Manta Ray. I've tried many times to lance the white spot but it does not seem to be a bit of solid milk that can be removed, it seems like part of my nipple has gone white and so I can't get it out. I guess I might be going back to the doctor.
I did have some success last night. I fed my daughter off that side in the tub and as soon as she came off submerged my breast in warm water, and I didn't get the blanching and hours of aching afterwards.
Aside from what the others have suggested, I would heat-pack it to relieve the pain. I also second finding a different Dr that knows more about breastfeeding.
I live in a small town where Dr's are in short supply and many are not taking on new patients. I was lucky to get in with the Dr I have. The two Dr's that specialize in babies ( I guess that would make them OB/Gyn lol) require refferrals from your family Dr and I really do love my Dr. I guess I will make another appt with him and the LC as well and see what they say. We have one Doula in town, dunno if she might be able to help??
Are there any physical therapists in your town (I think that's what they're called in CAnada - they're physiotherapists here, the people that deal with aches and pains and rehab after sports injuries and surgery). The ultrasound treatment that they use can be very helpful for unblocking stubborn ducts. But you need one that has experience in duct-zapping.
Sounds like it could be vasospasm or thrush - I had both with my first DS a few years ago. The diflucan tablets from the chemist helped and I also gave my breasts a rest by expressing all my feeds. Try paracetamol or ibruprofen to help with the pain.
Please Please help!!
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