Feel like a failure..... :o(

Hey everyone,

I have mastitis and very sore and cracked nipples. Today I bought a breast pump and have just expressed some milk for bubby (who is a week old today).

I really hope that she takes the bottle ok but also returns to the breast - I plan on continuing breastfeeding - just want to give my breasts a break for a couple of feeds.

Has anyone else done this and how did you get on?
Thanks so much for reading.
Sue x

definatly get on to a LC straight away!

for mastitis feeding through is the best! i know it is soooo painful but it is the best, if you can put bubs chin to the main lump that will help!
take some panadol and lots of deep breaths while feeding.

The LC in hospital helped me immensely with my bleeding nipples. I used a nipple shield for a week or two and then went on to BF for 14 months.

Good luck!

Keep bfing from the affected breast as much as you can stand. A pump will not clear the ducts as quickly as baby will. If you can't see a LC, phone the ABA on 1800 mum 2 mum for their advice on caring for your nipples and recovering from the mastitis.

I had mastitis fairly often in the first year of my DD's life and we bf for almost four years! ;)

You're not a failure, you're just still finding your way and figuring things out. That's what parenting is all about, so you're doing well (it just doesn't feel like it most of the time)
Have you seen an LC, or called the ABA? You definately need real-life, in-person help with getting breastfeeding right sometimes.

For mastitis the best thing is to get your baby to the breast to clear it. But if you've cracked nipples then that suggests your baby's attachment is not quite right. An LC can probably help you with that.

Take care of yourself and all the best :hug:

Also, anti-inflammatories tend to help both the ducts and the pain slightly better than paracetemol. Try putting an icepack on the affected breast after bfing too. It will help reduce the inflammation and pain in the ducts that are infected. :hug: Hopefully you'll feel better soon.

I mostly ebm fed my ds for the first 6 weeks or so because he thought that boobs were for sleeping on.
He's now a bit over 2 and still feeding.....
Please get some help with attachment though - lactation consultant, or day-stay or your maternal child health nurse or go back to the hospital or talk to the ABA and head along to a meeting...
Do you have antibiotics for hte mastitis???

Hang in there you're not a failure:hug:
I didn't have mastitis, but I had terrible cracked bleeding nipples, and a few blocked ducts.

Like Jennifer13 said I found the anti inflammatories helped with the pain, a warm shower was great, but I had to keep the water off my nipples as it hurt if the stream hit directly on them, but running over was good.
I feel for you I remember the pain it's not nice!!! I was in tears at times but and terrified when DS woke for a feed, it was a feeling of dread, but I pushed through and it's all good now. You're not a failure at all and you're not the only one:hug:

In my case the nipples and latch problem were because DS had a sore neck, 2 chiropractic treatments and it was all fixed.

Good luck:goodluck: let us know how you go.

Hun, you are doing a wonderful job of caring for your new little girl :hug:

The other posters have given you some wonderful advice already. The cracked nipples could mean that your DD's attachment needs a little tweaking - the ABA or a LC can certainly help with that. This article from the ABA website on Baby Led Attachment - Australian Breastfeeding Association - Baby-led attachment - might be helpful too.

If you would like to PM me with your location in Brisbane, I can give you the contact details of your local ABA group, and also the names of some good LCs that are nearest to you. Mums usually find that the earlier they get some bfing help IRL, the easier it is to get things back on track.

If you need to express for a couple of days to give your nipples a rest, then that is ok to do, although many mums find it harder work. If you want to continue breastfeeding, mums often find it best to feed the EBM (expressed breast milk) with a cup or spoon rather than introducing a bottle, which can interfere with breastfeeding in the early days.

You're not a failure, I also found establishing breastfeeding horribly difficult, I think many mums do.

Have you been to see your GP about the mastitis? It's really important to get on top of it asap and you will probably needs some AB's. Cabbage leaves (just tucked into your bra) are great for relieving the inflamation, and I also found heat packs on the blocked area before feeding then massage prior to and during the feed really helped to clear it. But it took me a good week to get rid of the lump altogether so perserverence is really important

I also had terribly cracked nipples for the first few weeks. I saw a LC a couple of times who told me our attachment was perfect, but I was still getting the cracks. To help stop the cracks from getting infected I would bathe my nipples in a salt water solution. A medicine glass works really well for this because you can put the solution in and then put the cup over your nipple and give them a really good clean iykwim.

In the end I found nipples shields to be a lifesaver. I wouldn't have been able to continue breastfeeding without them. I used them full-time up until about 8 weeks when I gradually started to wean DS from them. I started off just doing one feed a day on each side without it and then built up to two, then every second feed, until he was 12 weeks and we were finally able to say goodbye to them.

I also gave my DS expressed milk in a bottle on occassions. For us it didn't cause any problems with breast refusal, but I do know for some mums it does. Like the others have said bfing really does help to clear a blockage so try and do that if you can, but if every now and then you need a break one bottle every day or so shouldn't do too much harm.

Try not to get too down on yourself. Mastering breastfeeding is no easy feet. Just keep trying and do all you can to get rid of the mastitis and heal your nipples. Good luck x

Hey darl :hug:

Just wanted to say that you are not a failure, your doing a wonderful job and don't you forget that.

Im sorry i can't offer you any advice as i have never been fortunate enough to be able to breastfeed, im hoping to be third time lucky. In the meantime i want to offer you some :hug:'s and say your a wonderful Mummy to the most beautiful little girl in the world.

Take care x

Awwww sweetie, you are not a failure you are doing such a wonderful job, even if it doesnt feel like it at the moment :comfort:

I never had mastitis but I have had the pain of a gashed nipple, I was sure DD would suck it clean off if I fed her again from it! I ended up expressing from that side for 7 weeks, fed solely off my right side for that time but gave the EBM in a bottle, once every few days. Eventually I was able to get DD back on that side and she had no problems going back to that side. Bit different I know but I think it kinda shows that 'different' approaches can be done.

Hang in there hun, there are 'teething' problems to over come but you sound determined and thats the best thing possible to overcoming these hiccups.

Thanks so much for all your support guys.

I expressed some milk yesterday and bubby took it straight away from the bottle with daddy! It was amazing and having that one little break from mummys breast made all the difference and really did wonders for my confidence again.

I'm expressing in between feeds now and it is going well. And my breasts are healing nicely - along with taking the panadol and a nurofen to help with the pain of the mastitis I think that we are going to get through this in one piece!!

Thanks again guys
Sue xxxx

Sue, that's great news that things are going so much better for you :hug: Well done for getting through such a difficult time!

How long have you had the mastitis hun? Usually the anti-biotics knock it off pretty quickly, so if you are still in pain from it after a couple of days you might need different abs, or perhaps there is still a lump that hasn't been cleared. If you want some more information or reassurance, you can call the ABA helpline - 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 2 686) any time, 24 hours, 7 days and it's a toll-free call. You don't need to be a member.

All the best with everything hun. Keep up the great work.

So glad to hear you sounding more positive!
All the best~~

Great work hun, hang in there, it will all get easier :hug:. Keep that confidence building and remember you are doing something for your little girl that no one else can. So glad just a little break has helped so much x

Hey Sue your not a failure

I may be wrong but i think you need to feed hen u have this as it helps , also when you feed and you feel lumps feed your bub and massgae and push the lumps really hard towards bubs mouth , i had to do this the first week it helped get rid of them

speack to a LC straight away to get help as its still early days

I am so happy that things are settling down for you. Mastitis is soooo painful I know that from experience. :)
I don't know if it is advised now days but when I had cracked nipples I was told to air them and get some sun to help heal. I would lie on the spare bedroom floor for about 10 minutes and even after they were healed, every now & then I would do this. Just don't do it before a feed :)

I'm feeling down again about my right nipple, it just doesn't seem to be healing and is really sore and cracked. Yesterday I did every 3rd feed from it but last night when I tried to feed, the pain was so bad that I had to put bubby back on the L breast. I am sure the poor wee thing had almost drained that breast and she didn't get a great nights sleep after feeding.
I'm taking panadol and one nurofen just to get through it - is this ok? I am going to make an appointment to see my GP tomorrow because my R nipple looks really awful - like there is a small hole in it or something.

We even bought some formula today (but I do NOT intend on using it unless I really really really have to) for just maybe one feed per day. DH is actually looking forward to being more a part of the feeding so that will be good for him. I just feel so GUILTY for even having to do this. Surely this should not be this painful?

I did manage to use my breast pump on my R breast though and got a good amount this morning so bubby can have some of that later if things are bad for the R breast. I really don't want my R breast to stop producing milk. I spoke with an ABA counsellor yesterday which was really good but am just at my wits end.

I bought some lansinoh which has totally healed my L breast.
Just don't know what is going on with the R one. Our attachment is really good!

Sorry, just wanted to rant and get that off my chest. It's good to have everyone's support.

More:hug: I sooo remember the pain you're having, and I DP out one night to buy formula when I thought I couldn't cope, DS was coming into the 2 week growth spurt, and my nipple looked like someone had tried to cut it off from the bottom, so as to come away from the areola IYKWIM and I had a very hard time trying to feed, but the formula is still in the cupboard unopened. I think knowing it was there was comfort for me to know and took some pressure off.
I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure you can just feed from one breast until your other one heals. Your left will produce more to keep her satisfied. As for the right not producing enough, I would guess if you feed/pump as much as you can the supply will increase again when you're back in the swing of things. But again I'm no expert I'm sure someone else can correct me if I'm wrong and give you some more advice.

Keep hanging in there it is worth it if you can get things all good, but also don't wrack yourself with guilt about buying the formula! You're only human and sometimes things get too much. :hug::goodluck:
Good luck at the doc.

I got some nipeze (or similar name) for when I had DS and it was really great, the other thing is to air your nipples (gross sounding I know!!)

Poor chicky. I have had cracked nipples but not too bad, and i have managed to repair them with lansinoh and putting milk. I did have my toes curling though when my little one started to suck.

I have started doing baby led attachment sometimes, and often she will attach perfectly (better than when i try to help). Not sure if it her positioning (sort of squatting on my lap sitting up) or she just knows better- but couple times over night there was no pain at all on attachment.

here is some info if you are interested
Australian Breastfeeding Association - Baby-led attachment

be good to yourself,

take care

Kate

Hi Sue,

Hope things are going better this afternoon for you...

Just wanted to make you aware of another option in case it comes to it. I tried bfing in hospital, but the pain was excruciating (nothing seemed wrong - perhaps thrush - but prob I am just very sensitive). So I have been exclusively expressing for my almost five week old since day 4. There are some down sides - it's expensive to buy all the bottles and a really good breast pump, but it's great that he's still getting my milk. There are also some definite upsides - including that I'm getting pretty decent sleep because DH can do one of the night feeds!

If you want to talk about exclusive expressing feel free to PM me! But I hope bfing is working out for you!

Please ask your GP to swab your baby's mouth for thrush, just in case that's preventing healing.
I recommend also using water therapy - hot bath or shower and take your time; it's therapeutic and will save you in many ways, even if it doesn't 'save water'!! Spend time in the bath just massaging milk out of your dodgy breast after expressing.
The money you spend on an LC (an IBCLC qualified one, not just a hospital title conferred on a nurse who doesn't have this international qualification - Kelly has posted the LC finder for areas in Australia) will save you money on formula, medical bills and the hassle of keeping formula equipment stringently sterilised (the way formula is made makes it very susceptible to bacterial growth, hence all the sterilising that goes with formula feeding). Think about it - $100 for the consultation of someone for whom boobs are their business compared to the regular purchase of formula over 12 months!
You're doing great.
As for DH, there are PLENTY of ways he can be involved in your baby's care that don't involve feeding - there are nappy changes, baths, taking bubs for a walk in the sling after a feed (the satisfaction men feel when a baby falls asleep on their chests in slings is lovely to see!). Right now, evolutionarily speaking, baby needs only you for all her biological and psychological wellbeing. A lot of men take this as an affront and some accept that their time will come - and it DOES! At about 4 months when the baby becomes a lot more interactive you see the change in their relationship. It's OK if dads don't feed babies, so there's no need to force or accelerate the issue :)
Definitely give ABA a call, too - great chicks on the other end of the phone!

Hi honey, hope things are a bit better for you this afternoon. I'd try a nipple shield on the right side for the next few days, it will give your nipple a chance to heal without affecting your supply. I know when my nipples were terribly cracked I'd express, but in hindsight I think it actually did more damage because the suction is so strong iykwim?

Also bathing your nipples in a salt water solution works wonders, just boil some water, mix a little salt in it and let it cool. Then use a medicine glass to put over your nipple and bathe it for a couple of minutes. It really does work wonders and help them heal much faster.

Just checking in to see how you're going?

MUCH better, my nipples are healing after a 48 hour break from breastfeeding - just expressed for a couple of days and saw an LC yesterday which was money very well spent.

Am feeling that we are back on track!!! I am so glad that I stuck with it.
Thanks for thinking of me.

Sue xx

Excellent news :leap:

Was wondering how you were going. Glad to hear things are back on track.
All the best with your BF journey. :)

That's great I'm glad to hear it!:happyforyou:

I just wanted to come and update you guys who were supportive of me when I was having it really tough with the breastfeeding issues I was having.

I just want to say that things are going really well. BUT that is because a good friend of mine who has a 10 month old who she has been breast feeding told me that we were latching on incorrectly!!!!!

Since she actually showed me what to do THE CORRECT WAY, things have been AMAZING.
I am really p!ssed off that I saw a lactation consultant twice, my GP several times and several midwives in hospital - NONE of who told me how my latching on was wrong.

I feel like someone has let me into a huge secret. No more pain, bubby has less wind and seems more satisfied after a feed and in between feeds (she was very cranky - probably hungry because she wasn't on properly!!!!) and overall more confidence in getting out and about (don't have to sit in tears when feeding because of the pain).

I've had a niggly feeling that somewhere down the line, I'd been given bad advice which is why I have persevered with this.

Anyway, all is well.
Thanks for all your support xxxx
Sue x

:hooray: for you (and your friend!)
That's great news. Sucks that the LCs didn't see it though. Just goes to show that sometimes you have to get a few second opinions to find the right one.
anyway, I'm really happy that things are better and well done you for sticking to it :clap:

So glad you and bub are on the right track now. Kudos to your friend.

xx

Fabulous news!! So glad you had such a useful friend!!

Such great news hun! Job well done :dance:

Hang in there, the first couple of weeks are the hardest but once you get the hang of it then it will be the most rewarding thing you can do as a mummy, especially once you get your first milky mouthful smile :D.

Sue, I'm so glad you got the right help from your friend. Not all LCs are created equal, but it sounds like your friend knew what she was talking about. Who knows, maybe one day you'll be able to pass on all of your wisdom to another Mum! You'd be surprised how many times a bfing friend can come in useful, more useful than a 'professional'. ;)