struggling... really, really need support :(

**Kazmar** · November 3rd, 2010, 05:29 PM

No, no bottles or dummies til the last 2 days when I've been giving the dummy when she feeds for over an hour. I know its normal to cluster feed, but there have been times when there is nothing left & she really does just need something to suck on. & to try to keep her asleep longer than 5 minutes through the day. It doesn't work great, but its helping my sanity.

Hasn't had a single bottle, just the dummy after it all started.

I feel like I know everything that needs to be done, or can be suggested, but nothings working. I obviously don't though, lol.
We'll get there... I'm too stubborn to quit!

ETA, yep, did the nilstat on nipple. Wasn't working, thats why I ended up at the chemist.

I'll be trying to keep my top off, or at least undone, after play group tomorrow. Will remember to rub the ebm & let it dry at every feed tonight too... oops there goes let down & she's still sleeping!

Go you good thing!!! You can get through this

**onthefly** · November 3rd, 2010, 05:34 PM

You can get through this because you're a mummy and that's what we do

Sometimes, it just takes time, rather than getting the quick, sure-fire fix.

**boomba** · November 3rd, 2010, 05:36 PM

Just sending you lots of love and support hun! xx

**kelebek** · November 3rd, 2010, 08:18 PM

more

you've been given some great advice so far. I used nipple shields cause of cracked nipples and would wear them mainly for the night feeds to help protect everything while I was especially tired. Those early weeks suck and I remember many feeding sessions lasting an hour or so, makes it hard when you have to run a household. I think DS had reflux as I had to hold him a lot and he cried a lot (would cry going to sleep and when he woke up and wouldn't sleep for long) it did seem to settle but he was never a great sleeper.

You will get there. We are you cheer squad.

Oh FWIW I bought a tin of formula that sat in the cupboard. I think I bought it mainly to keep OH happy because he wanted me to try formula but I was determined ;-)

**~clover~** · November 3rd, 2010, 09:39 PM

Yes, well when I was replyimg here before, DH asked who I was talking to. Told him I was posting on here about this & the pain & he rolled his eyes & said 'why don't you just bottle feed', as if I'm stupid for putting up with the pain & winging at him about it! (Coz I winge all the time...

Other than wanting to go to the chemist the other day thats all I've said to him!)

Anyway... thats a whole other thread!

Thankyou all. You're right. I will do this, because I have to. We can't afford to FF & I really don't have the time for making & sterilising bottles etc. Thats my story & I'm sticking with it!

**~clover~** · November 4th, 2010, 07:53 AM

Ow! My bp's keep sticking to the cracks! oh its joyous!
But feeling better about the sheilds now. She seems to be getting more & slept better last night

**onthefly** · November 4th, 2010, 09:42 AM

We know you'll get through this clover

I remember those early weeks - my goodness! 3-8 weeks were a big blurry nightmare, but things got better. Enjoy the good days and survive the bad ones

**Jennifer13** · November 4th, 2010, 02:05 PM

Ouch on the sticking. Good time to walk around bare breasted.

Hope the cracks heal. I hope the shields do the trick in the meantime. Grrrrr at DP. Why wasn't he off doing the washing instead of handing out unwanted advice? That would be my next come back.

**Lenny** · November 4th, 2010, 02:14 PM

Ouch, poor you clover. I'm a bit late, but i'm hoping things improve from here for you. It's a bit of a blur those early months - keep up all the good work

**~clover~** · November 4th, 2010, 02:22 PM

haven't done too bad today. left them out as long as possible after feeds, except when i was out this morning.
skin is peeling off now...ew, lol

**Hollybolly** · November 4th, 2010, 02:23 PM

Clover, I had stacks of similar issues this time round as well

Definately use the shields if you need them... I was really down about using them, but it gave my nipples time to heal, and wasn't hard weaning off once everything was ok again. DS didn't have issues going off them.

Everything else the girls have suggested sounds great... I was going to suggest a carrier but just saw in one of your last posts that you have one

The other thing... I found for me personally, Lansinoh was crap

Try the Palmers Cocoa Butter nipple cream, or one I got in the baby section in Coles, Avado (it's in a yellow tube). They worked like miracles compared to the Lansinoh for me

I have so much admiration for you with 4 little ones, I just think you're amazing

**Shanti** · November 4th, 2010, 05:45 PM

proud of you, you're doing fantastic!! Those early weeks trying to BF were terrible for me....it really does get so much better and you've done it before

Ebm and topless helped my cracked nipples heal. I found creams didn't help me.

And expressing when my nipple was so bad I couldn't feed from it without swearing

**~clover~** · November 4th, 2010, 07:11 PM

yes, well last bare skinned feed i did brought tears to my eyes.

I have given up on the lansinoh. Works great for tender nipples just starting out, but not for this. Well not in my case anyway.

Still using the chemist one, coz it is helping with the pain & inflammation. I can see the difference in size from the swelling. Hoping tomorrow or Saturday I can stop with the sheilds. Making sure I hold off til then, coz I seem to be opening them again before they heal properly.