struggling... really, really need support :(

[~clover~]

Thanks guys
I fed once without the sheild this morning. Not too bad, but I don't think they're quite ready yet. Had to do it though, to drain properly. I can feel myself getting engorged & I think its from the sheilds? Not quite emptying all the ducts in the right way? Thats my guess.
Geez, its been over a week now. I'm so glad I have a chemist close enough that I could buy them. Back with DS I had to suffer til I could get to a bigger town 2 hours away, thats why I got FF for him.
Have a gp appointment today too. To see if DD has reflux for sure. Well I'm pretty sure, but a gp saying the same will get me to accept it I guess. Just trying to remember the name of the LC at the hospital so I can ring them.

Thanks for sticking with me guys Its good when I'm having a bad day, or feeling low or something & I come in here to see someone has thought of me Gives me the boost I need so bad right now

[peanutter]

I can't beliveve you were able to try without the shield so soon! Well done

Do you have a pump you can use to help clear the ducts a bit more? Or does that hurt just as bad?

thinking of you, clover

[sloane]

that's awesome news about getting through a feed without the shields - even if you're not quite ready yet, it definitely shows a huge improvement

good luck with the GP appt today.

hope today is an even better one for you

[~clover~]

back on the sheilds full time. Waiting til DH is at work tomorrow to try sun & air etc properly. Don't need more crap about not buying formula! Dumb head!!

[UntoldAngel]

Don't worry about having to use shields, we had to other wise p wouldn't have been able to feed. And don't listen to the formula debate, you're still in the early days with bub
hope you're still feeling better as each day comes cos you are doing an amazing job

[kelebek]

using the shields isn't always evil and is going to get you through this phase. Are you worried about your supply? (I'm not suggesting you should be I am just checking) cause if you are and have the time I have a spare pump I can send you. Let me know.

Hope they heal quickly for you.

[~clover~]

It has gone through my head today Kebelek, but I think its ok.
Just coz the last 2 - 3 days of being full, then today not so full, but she's been feeding alot tpday, so I think thats all it is. Another 2 days & I'll be full again, lol.

[Jennifer13]

Just wanted to pop in and wish you the best with the GP and the LC (if you manage to see her today). I hope you get some air time too.

[~clover~]

forgot to update..
saw gp & chn on friday. we did a clothed weigh in at the gp (with cloth nappy on) & she weighed the same as 10 days ago, so thought it was the reflux, but then did a bare weigh at chn & she'd actually put on 400 grams since last bare weigh about 2.5 weeks earlier!

found out chn is a LC, so talked about that with her as well as everything else going on atm. was good just to have a talk.

She thinks we may have an issue with size, seems missy isn't quite getting enough in. But i can see my cracks are almost completely healed, so will try again tomorrow or wednesday. Waiting til they are completely healed before I try. Don't want to open them up again & have to go another week with the sheilds!

So glad we have a portable cot under the window in here... the neighbours would get an eye full right now

I tell you what, anyone want a natural birth & great bfing support, this is the place to be! The hossy is all natural, there are no options for birth except gas & morphine & they encourage active labour. They are on a BMI limit, which they hate, but have only transferred 2 patients in the last 2 years due to complications.
On top of that, the ante natal mw is a LC, as is the other one I rang the other day & the chn too! Plus 2 or 3 other mws are. All in such a small area. was such a relief to meet this chn

[kelebek]

ok so that sounds fairly positive and a good idea to keep using the shields until you are completely healed. I would also be inclined to use them overnight for a few extra nights just in case attachment in the middle of the night might be causing some problems too.

You are getting through each day step by step and more healing vibes your way

[Shanti]

Great to hear the cracks are healing and things are looking up for you you're doing a wonderful job, you really are. Just take it day by day.... then it will be week by week.... will just get easier.

[peanutter]

you're doing so well, clover. I hope it continues to improve in every way

[~clover~]

We're getting there. We had 2 or 3 days pain free. But then, I'm thinking it was night feed we buggered up again.
Had vasospasm pains last night too. Wish the rain would bugger off!

We're getting there. I haven't been as low & stressed as I was when I started this thread! The sheilds are a God send!

One day at a time. Well, one feed at a time at the moment. I think her deciding its time to start sleeping 8 hours some nights is ruining it all! Of course there's engorgement, so leakage & moisture when she does that! Cheeky bugger. I certainly don't want to wake her. The times I've tried she's rejected me anyway!

Anyway, we're getting there. I'm way more relaxed & less stressed about it all now!

[peanutter]

so glad that things are improving, clover

and I love the new avvy!

does it hurt to pump still? I wonder if it would help to do a pump during her 8hr sleep? Definately have a good sleep yourself, but if you did a short pump to get enough that you're not uncomfortable and leaking (and you can store it up for later, or top ups)?

but so so so so so pleased to hear things are improving

[Fleur]

Great to hear things are better for you now

I was going to suggest the same as peanutter, can you express just a little bit to ease the leaking & engorgement? Of course if she is sleeping thorugh more often then not you might just want to let it settle on its own.

You've done so well, you should be so proud

[onthefly]

You're not complaining about 8 hours of sleep, are you
Sounds like things are going really well - well done you!

[Jennifer13]

I'm glad things are improving. Sounds like little Miss Summer is trying to be as kind to Mummy as possible.

[kelebek]

glad things are improving when things settle and you start to 'wean' off the shields maybe you could just use them at night for a little while, although if she is going to sleep 8 hrs