painful b/fing told 2 see paed speech pathologist

[Lilli]

Hi,

I recently posted on the general b/feeding forum re painful feeding beyond 6 weeks. My problem is still continuing - I am unable to breastfeed my DS on my right breast without pain - it appears to be an attachment problem coz I can painlessly express lots of milk from that breast and I can b/feed painfree on my left breast. This is all very distressing for me - I b/fed my DD for 2 years and never had such problems.

I was considering seeing a LC but am worried that she'll get me to attach correctly when I see her and then when I try at home it wont work as has been happening for the past 8 weeks - the MHCN at the clinic can attach him onto the right breast and I can feed him painfree - when I try it at home it only works a few times in the day - incorrect attachment causes so much pain I have to have him off that breast for 24hrs. I am currently expressing the right breast to maintain supply and attempting to attach him to that side at least 3 times during the day.

Now the MHCN has recommended I see a paediatric speech pathologist as she thinks there may be something wrong with the baby's palate (possibly he is a bit lop-sided - I'm not sure - he looks ok - if he is lopsided- it is very slight), also she wants to rule out tongue tie (I feed well on the left so possibly not tongue tie or both breasts would be affected -right?). My areola and nipple on the right breast look a bit deformed too - the nipple points to the right and there is a ridge around the base of the nipple. The left breast nipple points forward and the areola is nice and plump (good attachment there!)

I was wondering if anyone has seen a paediatric speech pathologist bse of painful breast-feeding and if they offered a solution?

[Trillian]

I was just going to suggest that maybe you try the football hold for that breast and see if that helps at all in the meantime?

[onthefly]

Hi Lilli, sorry you're still having problems.
An LC should be able to diagnose palate/tounge type problems also. A good LC shouldn't walk away till they've figured out a solution or referred you to someone with more expertise (even if they do see you feeding well).

[MantaRay]

Lilli, I am sorry to hear that you are still having problems. It must be upsetting for you

I agree with Marcellus hun, an LC can diagnose those things that a speechie might pick up, but an LC can also give you specialised help with breastfeeding which a speechie can't.

If you go to the ALCA website NSW LC list - Australian Lactation Consultants Association Ltd - ALCA - New South Wales you should hopefully be able to find a really good one that is near you. All the best hun

[Lilli]

Thank you so much for your words of encourgament - this is really distressing for me coz it's been so long and I'm worried that there simply isn't a solution.

I wouldn't mind seeing a LC and I found one that does home vistis from the link you provided - thank you for that. The reason I am hesitating is that I am scared that she will help me during the visit and I will achieve a good attachment but when she goes, I'll have the same problem (as this is what happens at the clinic - they help me attach him to the breast without pain but I can't do it consistently for ALL subsequent feeds at home).

What I might do is see what this speech pathologist says and then seek the advice of the LC. You are right in saying that the speech pathologist wont be able to help with the actual b/feeding but maybe they can tell me why the attachment is so wrong - ie is there are physical reason behind it?

PS I have used football hold - it's hit n miss - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

I hope that this isn't a problem that is just unresolvable (are all b/feeding problems resolvable?)- I am happy to persevere if I know there is an end in sight - ie he'll grow out of it in a couple of months etc - but maybe it's just bad luck and that's the way it'll always be...

[onthefly]

The LC should help you to get it right yourself, rather than doing it for you (if that makes sense). Sometimes you have to see a few before you get the one with the right approach for you. Me, I saw 3 before one was able to help me through.

I would still recommend an LC over a speechie - she can also diagnose physical problems with your baby, as well as other specific breastfeeding issues. And if she comes to you she should be able to watch and trouble shoot for at least a couple of feeds, rather than helping your baby on for one and sending you on your way. I think the fact that you can feed comfortably on one side suggests that this really should be fixable - and yes, I think most problems are resolvable, the trick is getting the right advice from the right person.

How old is your baby now? It took us 11 weeks to get to painfree feeding. Hope you can figure things out soon

[Lilli]

ok, I'll take heart that it took you 11 weeks Marcellus - my DS is 8 weeks - I feel like I'm the only one still experiencing b/feeding pain - all the other mums at the clinic are fine. I'll try to hold out til the 12 week mark and I hope I have a solution by then.

I think I will consult a LC as well as getting checked out by the speech pathologist - hopefully these two specialists can help.

Thank you for your advice!!

[onthefly]

Hey, there's no harm in getting a second (third, fourth) opinion! I'm just personally a bit wary of getting advice relating to breastfeeding from anyone but an LC.
I really do hope you can figure this out soon! It is very frustrating and upsetting - and very isolating also, when you feel you're the only one like this. The truth is many mothers struggle in the early months, we just don't talk about it enough i think.
All the best~~