Breastfeeding help!! Please!!

[SabbathD]

Okay - I have had some serious BF issues. I have tried to contact the LLL, but to no avail, the ones in my area (south of Seattle) don't seem to respond very quickly to people. So, I am coming on here, in hopes that some of you BF mama's can give me some advice.

To begin with, I am highly prone to mastitis on my right side only. I had it 4 times before my baby was even born. And this is my first child, so I wasn't nursing while pregnant. I have been told, that this is unusual. So, I am constantly battling flair-ups of that, and am currently dealing with one. I have cracked and bleeding nipples, even though after the initial latch on nursing doesn't hurt a bit. But, the initial latch on is pretty toe curling, but I have been told that for a first time mom, at only 3.5 weeks postpartum, that's still not too unusual. I was introduced to a nipple shield at the hospital by a particularily unhelpful lactation consultant because of flat nipples, and now the baby won't nurse without it. I have major oversupply issues on my right side, constantly soaking through breast pads, and the let down on that side is MASSIVE and the baby always seems to choke and sputter. She also never seems to eat enough to empty that side, even if we eat exclusively on that side during a feeding.

I am currently already taking antibiotics for a uterine infections (which is oh so much fun, let me tell you!!), so I can't exactly take more for the mastitis, and they are hoping that it will just cover both of them for now, seeing as the uterine infection is a bit of priority. Thank goodness the baby made it through labor, delivery and postpartum okay because it seems to really be stinking for me!!

If anyone has any recommendations on natural approaches, ideas to try, things to do, I am all ears. Tried talking to a few people my midwife, and a lac consul, but they are all more concerned about the uterine infection. That's all fine and good, but the baby still has to eat!! Thanks in advance...

[alegna]

Not in your group but thought I'd respond- try LOTS of vitamin c- sodium ascorbate.

good luck!

-Angela

[ZeldasMom]

Not in your group either (I am up late with my baby and saw your post in new posts)--I hope you don't mind me responding.

Kellymom has good info about the overactive let-down and oversupply. For me this was extremely helpful: "Wait until let-down occurs, then take baby off the breast while at the same time catching the milk in a towel or cloth diaper. Once the flow slows, you can put your baby back to the breast." I waited for the flow of milk to completely stop before popping the baby back on.

Nursing on my back also helped. My LC called this the "australia position."

HTH!

Also, when I took antibiotics for mastitus I took probiotics to avoid problems with yeast. My local crunchy pharmacy said they tested the brands they carry and that Flora-Jen tested as having the most active cultures.

[puddleduck]

Umm let me think...
i had blocked ducts in my LHS after ds1 was born - i tried to empty that side through feeding and pumping and found it impossible and all i ended up doing was building up a massive supply in one side (one huge boob).
cabbage leaves in your bra are supposed to be good. Very gentle massage when you're in the shower ( directionally - away & out of body), and feeding the baby from loads of different positions on that side as if you're only in one position certain ducts get used more than others leaving some to fill up more.
i found the only thing that sorted it out for good was accupuncture.
It does take about 8 - 9 weeks from the milk supply to regulate itsself but it should be plain sailing after that.
I had lots of pain when i fist nursed ds1 and found that actually wiggling my toes while he latched really helped (for some reason you can't actually focus on the pain while your toes are going).
If i think of anything else i'll let you know.
Vikki

[jinkel]

s, Sabbath! Mastitis TOTALLY sucks. I had it a few times with ds#1, in my right breast.

1) I second the pp recommendation about latching on the kid *after* letting the flow in your breast slow down a bit.

2) Also, after baby is done feeding on that breast, I *highly* recommend pumping that breast. Pumping *could* increase your supply, but if you pump just enough to make that breast feel more empty, you *should* be okay. Massaging the clogged area as you pump may help, too.

3) I also agree with the pp comment about vitamin C. There is some anectodotal evidence that it helps with blocked ducts. I used it last week, when I felt a clogged duct coming on, and it (well, who knows for sure, but I'm willing to believe it) helped fight it off. Be careful, though. Too much vitamin C is also blamed for babies *not* wanting to nurse, too (don't know if it makes milk taste funny, or if it gives them tummy ache). I took about 1500mg a day for a few days.

4) For the first two weeks with this babe, even though his latch was pretty close to perfect, I had bleeding scabbed nipples that gave me mind blowing pain for the first 5-10 seconds he latched on. But I made sure to religiously apply lanolin (Lansinoh brand) every. single. time. after I nursed him, changing my breast pads each time, too. It was incredibly soothing. Now, my nipples are fine (touch wood), and I don't have to use the lanolin anymore - - except on my lips...it makes awesome lip balm!

5) To help with the pain of the clogged ducts, I used ice packs (15-20 minutes each time). It really helped soothe! Experts used to recommend using wet warm compresses, but recent research has shown that can actually make things worse. The only time it's still recommended is in the shower.

Nursing issues really are soooo not fun. When us mamas are already feeling rundown physically and emotionally, it's really easy to contemplate quitting nursing when the roadblocks keep popping up. Hang in there, and I hope you get some relief soon, Sabbath.

I'm also so sorry to hear about the uterine infection. Keep the faith! This *will* pass!!!

[sarenka]

I don't know much about mastitis but for the cracked nipples I got a camomile cream called Kamilosan which was really the only thing that worked for me. It was something like a miracle.
Hang in there...I've also heard that cabbage leaves work well

[MsGrizzle]

Can't add much to what the pp said - but with my last baby I took lecithin as per recommended by my LC for plugs. I never got them again...

[bugnbean]

You poor thing! It sounds like my first few weeks nursing my first. That was a nightmare. I'll second the suggestions given here.

Also when your dd comes off the nipple is it still pink or is it blanched or purple looking? The extreme pain of initial latch sounds like it could be reynaud's of the nipples. I was finally diagnosed by an amazing LC with Noah at almost 6 weeks of age after I came to the clinic in tears. Once we treated the vasospasms of the reynaud's my cracked nipples finally healed, no more mastitis and it finally didn't hurt to nurse him because my nipples were finally getting proper blood flow to heal the areas.

[PancakeGoddess]

oh sabbath
- you ROCK for persevering through this. I think you will be so glad you did it - it will get much easier. You're already getting tons of good advice here, but I want to encourage you to do two things:
1. contact LLL through their website - you should get some good online help that way and
2. contact some other leaders in your state/area - don't worry if it's not totally local. Just tell whomever you reach that you needed a fast response. Keep trying until you get a nice warm LLLish call that helps you.

[TanyaS]

Originally Posted by soapdiva

Can't add much to what the pp said - but with my last baby I took lecithin as per recommended by my LC for plugs. I never got them again...

Lecithin supplements work very well for recurring clogged ducts. Toe-curling pain is not normal and neither are cracked/bleeding nipples. Some discomfort in the early weeks can be normal, but not pain.

Keep trying the Leaders in your area, too. If you don't hear back within 6 hours or so then call back!

I've been there myself with cracked and bleeding nipples from my dd's short upper frenulum. It is no picnic and I'm not kidding when I say it was worse than unmedicated birth (which wasn't all that bad)!

[lotus.blossom]

Just adding my support and empathy. I have one hot sore red boob and I'm holding out till my LLL meeting Thursday to get some help. Its really painful! Hang in there hun! I hope the abx take care of both crappy infections!

[Quagmire]

Support here too I hear you on the overactive letdown/ oversupply issue - my right side has that as well and it's very tough to manage with a newborn.

Jinkel had great suggestions - ITA with all of them. Especially the Lansinoh... it's still my friend even now and also makes a good diaper rash salve

I can only tell you it gets better with time as the baby gets bigger and you get to be more of an expert. Hang in there! It gets so much easier, truly it does.

[sewaneecook]

I just got over a mastitis infection ... I can completly empathize! One thing that helped was to nurse so that the baby's chin points in the direction of the clogged duct. I don't know why it helps, but it drained the sore area right away. Sounds like you've gotten lots of great tips here! I hope something works for the cracked nipples ... ouch!

[MsGrizzle]

Since you are on antibiotics, I'd be on the lookout for thrush as well, which will only add to your soreness woes. If you do have thrush, you don't want to use Lansinoh as that keeps the area moist and can make the yeast worse. I'm currently battling thrush after having antibiotics myself...

[kimya]

Sabbath there is a free drop in group at the birth center in Montlake in Seattle. i am not sure if you can make it up there but here is the link http://www.communitybirth.org/classes&events.html

[SabbathD]

Oh. My. Lord.

You ladies Rock!! Thank you so much for all of the help and support. I love you guys....

I just can't fathom the idea of giving up on breastfeeding. I tried it once. I thought, well that's it, I am just going to pump, and she can feed out of a bottle. But, I froze it, and it took forever to reheat it, she wouldn't eat it, it stressed her out, and then I felt terrible. And I won't even go there with formula. I know that it has a great purpose for some people. But why, when I can provide her with something so much better? Even if all of this continues, she is getting breastmilk damn it, for as long as I can muster!!

The mastitis is passing, and the oversupply issue, well I am going to give block feeding a try again. Did it for a week, but who knows, maybe my body just wasn't ready to drop the supply yet. I guess worst case scenario, your body sorta figures it all out by around 6-12 weeks, and from what I understand, your supply sorta goes to where it's supposed to during this time period. I don't even know what to do about the cracked and bleeding nipples, cause honestly, I can't see a reason that I still have them. I am going to get with the LLL around here and see what they recommend based on WATCHING me nurse, just to make sure that I am not doing something wrong. I don't think I am, but I am using a nipple shield, and who knows, maybe there are things I don't know about using those.

Again, thank you everyone, it's been really amazing to get all of this help and support.

[PancakeGoddess]

what a lucky baby! You rock, mama. Keep up the good work. I think you're right on about the supply regulating itself - that will happen before you know it. Sticking to one breast at a time for a few hours is a good plan, IMO. I sure hope your nipples heal up soon. I had that with my first and it definitely takes the pleasure out of things! Even this 4th time, I have sore nipples still at 2 weeks, but no cracks/bleeding. I sure hope it's gone in another week or so.

[TanyaS]

Good for you for hanging in there, mama! While you're waiting for someone to check your latch/position, check to make sure the baby is not sucking in the bottom lip. It's a common thing to happen and can make you sore because they don't make a proper seal.

If it's tucked in, just gently plop it out until baby puts it like that on their own.