Could anything else go wrong?

[KarlaC]

I probably shouldn't ask the q I have for a title but for the love of *#$# breastfeeding is possibly one of the worst experiences I've ever had so far with a lo. It's just one problem/hurdle after another.

I am hitting the LLL meeting on Tuesday for my area, if I can't get the help I need there, I'm afraid I have to throw in the towel even though the idea of not doing this for my son rips me apart

Suddenly after bf'ing or pumping the last 2 days I've been having my nipples get extremely hard & have white spots on them, they hurt like someone hooked a pair of live jumper cables to them when this happens.

It sounds like maybe Reynaud's or some kind of thrush? Anyway just venting atm, I think my son might be not latching well, getting him to open his mouth wide at all is suddenly impossible & ends with both of us crying.

I guess I could just use some support, this whole mess is eating my soul piece by piece. I'd love nothing more than to be able to just feed my baby.

[PatioGardener]

Ow ow ow! Those blanching nipples sound like vasospams (Reynaud's) to me. It often happens when Mama has thrush - or some type of nipple trauma.

http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=...id=5&Itemid=17 (scroll down to vasospasms)

[Heba]

Oh you poor thing! I hope you get the help you need at the LLL meeting.

[Heba]

PatioGardener, that is a great site. I'm bookmarking it! Thanks .

[Louisep]

How old is your LO? I PROMISE it gets better, I really do. I guess I was relatively lucky with my experience but I did spend the first 3 weeks kicking my legs against the wooden bed posts because of the pain. I've also had a few milk blisters and a blocked duct.

Thankfully, most BF problems are fixable. Try and persevere through this problem and next time try and figure out the problem and remedy a solution asap.

Where are you located? There are free lactation consultants you can call at many hospitals. I'd even suggest going to see one even if it costs. Many also have free breastfeeding support groups. You could even call out of state - I called using my out of state cell phone and they called me back and spent 30 mins on the phone giving advice. Here's the number for the one I called in Atlanta: 404.501.5787 http://www.dekalbmedicalcenter.org/P...9/Default.aspx

Have you been on Kellymom.com to see what you can be doing at home before you go to the LLL meeting?

Hugs

[KarlaC]

Originally Posted by Louisep

How old is your LO? I PROMISE it gets better, I really do. I guess I was relatively lucky with my experience but I did spend the first 3 weeks kicking my legs against the wooden bed posts because of the pain. I've also had a few milk blisters and a blocked duct.

Thankfully, most BF problems are fixable. Try and persevere through this problem and next time try and figure out the problem and remedy a solution asap.

Where are you located? There are free lactation consultants you can call at many hospitals. I'd even suggest going to see one even if it costs. Many also have free breastfeeding support groups. You could even call out of state - I called using my out of state cell phone and they called me back and spent 30 mins on the phone giving advice. Here's the number for the one I called in Atlanta: 404.501.5787 http://www.dekalbmedicalcenter.org/P...9/Default.aspx

Have you been on Kellymom.com to see what you can be doing at home before you go to the LLL meeting?

Hugs

He's a month old this week. Thankfully he's my last one, the only one I've ever managed to bf more than a week or so.

I'm located in Fayetteville, NC. Unfortunately the LC from the hospital I had my son at is just flipping useless. I'm going to try that # you gave, thank you.

Yes I have checked out Kellymom.com, I'm not seeing any way to convince him to open his mouth wide enough to latch on properly though, this is something new he's started this week. Such an uphill battle

Thank you again,

~K. & Cody.

[Swandira]

I would guess those white spots with the searing pain could be clogged ducts too -- I don't know anything about Reynaud's, but I had clogged ducts when my second kid was a baby, and they were miserable! If you immerse your boob in a warm-water bath, hanging forward to let gravity help you, you can kind of loosen it up a bit (if that is indeed the problem) and that can make it easier for the baby to help you out with the clogged-duct issue.

*hugs*

Good job sticking it out so far! The great majority of people seem to find all of the problems behind them after about six weeks, so you're almost there! I promise, once you get the hang of it, breastfeeding (if you do it on demand and don't try to force the baby to follow your will) is one of the easiest and most rewarding experiences you can have as a parent. I've nursed three kids and sometimes thought I couldn't keep breastfeeding, but in the long run, every time I've been so glad I toughed it out.

You can do this!

Nealy
mama to T, 12/02; L, 2/06; and O, 12/12/08

[tireesix]

Hey Karla, honestly, it does get easier!

My first 2 were nightmares and there were many times I thought about quitting. I had recurring thrush, cracks,pain, over supply, engorged, blocked ducts, mastitis, my second would only feed from the left boob leaving my right crazy painful etc.

It took 6 months for each before calming down and I managed to feed each for over 2 years!

I am on baby number 3 and she has been the easiest out the lot, still going at 9 months.

I know you are having a hard time, I know how you feel but if you keep at it, it is worth it!!!!!!

[Aislinn]

Hello Karla,
Reading your post brought sympathy pain from my breasts. It was 19 years ago when I nursed for the first time and I can still remember it. I had what they called nipple trauma, they even took pictures - they were black and blue. And of course Rachel wanted to nurse day and night. My MD sent lc's to my house just to sit with me, and one in particular got me through it. I'm sorry to say that it was only fear of my physician, who was very strict about nursing (and I was really young) that kept me at it.
And you know what? I'm glad my fear of him kept me going, because it turned out to be one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. It just got better and better, after about four weeks or so, and my daughter was so healthy. Because of this, I was able to nurse all of my kids for two years and even beyond.
Swandira was right; it does get easier and is rewarding. :
Bless you and Cody too!