Help Please-new mom ready to give up

[NewIma]

Hello everyone,

My dd is just 7 days old and we are trying to breastfeed. At this point I am about ready to give up. I had no idea that anything could every hurt as bad as this does. My nipples are extremely sore with deep cracks and scabs/blisters. Our midwife has given us some tips on how to improve the latch so things aren't getting any worse but they just hurt sooooooo bad that I end up swearing the whole time she is latched on. Not quite the beautiful, peaceful breastfeeding scene I had imagined! I am at the point now where I don't think I can do it anymore and am ready to just give her a bottle. I know that breastfeeding is best but the pain is so great I don't think I can over come it. How have you guys coped with this? How did you get through it?
Thank you for your help.

[tiffany21074]

hugs mama, i promise it gets better!!!!! almost all moms go through this in the beginning, and within a week or two, you will most likely feel much better. it is a learning curve for both mama and baby, but i do know that every mama i know that gave up after a week or two, regretted it later. you sound so committed to giving your baby the best, i assure you it will get better. can you get to a la leche league group in your area?

[tiffany21074]

oh, and you WILL have that beautiful peaceful breastfeeding scene, just in a little while!!!

[ripcurlgirl26]

Hugs to you, Mama. I've been there. Day 4 of breast feeding left me with cracked and bleeding nipples from that inexperienced newborn latch. I thought about quitting as it hurt so bad, and I dreaded each nursing session. Now, 9 months later, my DS is a wonderful nurser and has never had a drop of formula.

It does get better, I promise. Do you have a pump? I had to pump and give bottles of EBM so I could heal and get better. I know bottles at such a young age aren't ideal, but if it keeps you nursing, it's worth a try. We used the Playtex silicone Natura-latch nipple, which is meant to BFed babies, and DS never had any issues at all going between breast and bottle.

So, I took two days off and solely pumped (on low suction) to give myself a chance to heal. I pumped every two hours, even through the night. Then, I wore a pair of breast shells (not to be confused to shields) and slathered myself with lanolin to heal. You can get the shells from your LC. You slip them under your bra and it keeps your bra from rubbing against your nipples and allows air to get to them. My LC said it would take 48 hours for me to heal, and she was right. Two days later, I held my breath and nursed DS again and everything was much better. I was so scared he wouldn't latch back on but thankfully he did.

If you don't have a pump, you can rent one from your LC. Just don't give up, it's a rough start, but we definitely have that beautiul and peaceful BFing scene you imagine now. It will come!

[MaryJaneLouise]

Keep seeking some inperson help, from your midwife, a lactation consultant, or a La Leche League leader in your area. Where do you live?

http://www.lalecheleague.org/

Check here for your closest group, or PM me to help you look them up. You might need something like a nipple shield temporarily while you heal.

again!

[RootSnort]

Above are all GREAT ideas. Use them and know that we have all been where you are, and it WILL get better!!!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I would find a lactation consultant asap and have the baby checked for tounge tie and any latch issues still present. Make sure that both lips are flared at the breast especially that bottom one. Instead of using a bottle I would use a dropper or a cup. Avoid a bottle if at all possible since that will just make her latch worse. I know it is time consuming but pumping is so much work that keeping her from getting nipple confusion is the best way to go.

If she has a paci get rid of it because that can also screw up her latch. I know it is hard but it is so important for baby to get bm.

Also I would make sure that you and baby dont have a yeast issue going on. The LC or mw can tell you if that is part of the problem.