So where do I go from here?

[Ginger]

So I've been having trouble with a huge nipple crack for months now. It just won't seem to heal permanently. it has actually led to mastitis three times, but i've managed to get through it with ABs, lanisoh and pain killers. just when i think it's healed for good, it re-opens again and the pain begins again. I'm just soooo tired of it and don't know how much longer i can fight it. The crack is huge at the moment, and it looked like i was heading towards mastitis again on friday night. With the use of heat packs and lots and lots of feeding, i think i've managed to scare it off. The pain from my breast at the moment though goes right into my arm, neck and back. As you can imagine it's really starting to affect my quality of life.
My goal has always been to bfeed ds2 until 14 months, as this is how long i fed ds1 for. Ds2 is now 14 months old, but is in no way ready to stop bfeeding. He still feeds 2- 3 hourly overnight and i just don't know how to even start to wean him. What do i do fro here? How do i wean him without psychologically damaging him? Is there any way i can get this crack to heal and go on to feed him for another 3 months or so? Or do i just give it away? Thank you for reading, i honestly just don't know where to go from here.

- oh i should also say that ds1 self-weaned and was in no way this dependant on the breast at this age, so i just have no idea how to wean such a booby lover.

Thanks xoxo

[Snacks]

Not sure if this is a stupid question, but will he just accept the one breast so you can give the sore one a break? (And just express from that one for comfort?)
I am currently feeding my 11mo 3 times /day (except when I am working - then only 1-2 times/day) and 2-3 times /night just from my left breast as my right is a dud
So sorry for the pain - that must be sooooo hard! You've done so well to get this far with so much pain.

[Ginger]

thanks for your reply snacks, i don't know how that works. wouldn't the sore breast get engorged then? i've always wondered how people feed from one breast only?

[alioops]

Have you tried a nipple shield on that side hun?

[Ginger]

yes i bought a nipple shield today and he absolutely hates it. Won't go anywhere near it, let alone put his mouth on it. He acts like i'm trying to poison him!

It's gone really red around the nipple. Looks like the mastitis is back. I've made a dr appointment for 9am. I'm so over this, i feel like crying.

[Olive]

hun there is stuff you can get from the chemist nexskin or something, i remember tan had similar issues when feeding, its like a bandaid that you leave on for a few weeks i think until the wound has healed