I officially hate bf

[Writerbird]

Baby is still sick, and we're on hour six of the latest marathon. My left breast is swollen and red. I have had the latch professionally checked, so I'm without explanation for the searing pain when he latches on... oh wait, maybe it hurts because this is hour SIX.

The next person who says "formula" to me DIES.

[operamommy]

*hugs* Breastfeeding is hard, no doubt about it. I'm nursing my fourth child now, and still find myself with questions!

It will get better, I promise. Keep hanging in there; you're doing great!! Your left breast being swollen and red worries me, though. It might be a good idea to have yourself looked at for mastitis. Also, whenever I've had a searing pain deep in my nipple during nursing I've had thrush. Does the inside of baby's mouth or tongue seem to have a white coating that doesn't wipe away?

[True Blue]

I'm thinking mastitis issues as well. Would account for the pain and the redness. I got it very soon after I had DS, too. It sucks. It does get better, I promise!

[LoveChild421]

Ds1 had marathons like that. It becomes a test of sheer endurance doesn't it? The pain could definately be from the constant nursing but if you start running a fever or feel a lump or hard spot it could be a plugged duct or mastitis. If that's the case check out http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

[applecore]

Hang in there! It does get better! I know how hard it can be to deal with the pain, but it will go away if the latch is good. Sometimes it just takes a bit for healing to happen once the soreness has begun. I'm an LLL Leader, and I still have had tons of nursing pain this time around, even though I know we're doing everything right. It's just really hard in the beginning for some women. The marathon nursing is really difficult when you're so sore- I've been dealing with that every night as well, and she's not even sick! I know you can do it! It will soon pay off when the pain is gone and you start being able to enjoy nursing.

[kathywiehl]

Hang in there mama! I agree, the pain and redness might need to be looked at. The last thing you need right now when you are already feeling discouraged is a case of mastitis.

We did our first nursing marathon last night. It's so hard to just nurse all night long like that and you gotta wonder where these little people put all that milk, huh? It amazes me how much they can drink!

You are doing great and in a few weeks it will be much easier, I promise!

[Nature]

I've been nursing for the past 4.5 years and nursing this babe still hurts. My nipples still cracked and bled.

hang in there!

[Writerbird]

to all of us, jeez. The books make it sound like an endless blissful journey, which is what makes me feel like such a loser.

My son does in fact have a white coating on his tongue, and I'm not running a fever yet. A hot compress didn't seem to bring me much relief, and "nurse frequently" is definitely the name of my current game. I'll keep trying. It's be stupid to get this far just to give up, right?! RIGHT!

That Kellymom link is AWESOME, thank you a million times

[slgt]

Sorry mama, I hope you can figure out some help SOON. FWIW, I had a lactation consultant here the day after we got home - find help wherever you can get it, ASAP!

[BabyBump]

Writer I'm so sorry it's become such a tough road for you. I hope everything works out for you and the baby. I'm sending you better nursing vibes........

[honolula]

Sounds more like the non-stop nursing than mastitis.
This will get better. The longer you nurse, the tougher you'll get (in flesh, not in character!) and you won't get raw for nuthin'. Until then :

[birthmommom]

s to everyone

we are still having a hard time. I have moved to the playtex nurser, some would disagree with bottles but I have to do something.
I have been researching, I think that Henry has clampdown bite reflex b/c god does it hurt when he nurses like he is biting me. I also think he may have a little reflux, so we will work on that and I am going to try cutting out caffeine and chocolate and see if that helps.

I sometimes think that I hate breastfeeding, but I want to do it if nothing less pumping. we did do one bottle of formula, b/c this move has messed with my supply but we are fixing it.

we are all doing a great job, keep up the good work mamas we can get through this.

[birthmommom]

s to everyone

we are still having a hard time. I have moved to the playtex nurser, some would disagree with bottles but I have to do something.
I have been researching, I think that Henry has clampdown bite reflex b/c god does it hurt when he nurses like he is biting me. I also think he may have a little reflux, so we will work on that and I am going to try cutting out caffeine and chocolate and see if that helps.

I sometimes think that I hate breastfeeding, but I want to do it if nothing less pumping. we did do one bottle of formula, b/c this move has messed with my supply but we are fixing it.

we are all doing a great job, keep up the good work mamas we can get through this.

[eilonwy]

Um... I won't say the F word, but I will say this-- I've had two babies with nursing problems, but Bear is the first of my babies to receive artificial milk, and it's a HUGE pain in the ass. It's way more of a PITA than the nursing issues, even with Bella who's latch was so atrocious that I a) used a fingerfeeder exclusively for a time and b) dubbed her "Princess Krappilatch," which Mike found rather offensive.

You can totally do this; You WILL do this. You ARE DOING this-- and all will be well. You'll look back and grin broadly, beaming with pride at your hard-earned exp.

[AlwaysByMySide]

Sending you a Hang in there!

If it even begins to look like mastitis, PLEASE get it treated quickly. (I suffered over a weekend with it rather than just going to the ER and getting antibiotics...I would rather give birth 20 times than have mastitis ever again.)

[sarahn4639]

mastitis has been mentioned but i'd like to reiterate the thrush idea. we had it for months and had a really hard time getting rid of it, it really sucks! look and see if it sounds like you and get help right away, sometimes if you catch it early it can bet easier to get rid of. good luck, it will all be worth it soon, but it can be hard to see in the momement.

[flapjack]

From what I gather, the current thinking is that antibiotics aren't a first-line treatment for non-infective mastitis (which is what this sounds like.) What are the LLL leaders like in your area? Any LCs?
I would be inclined to suggest that you go back to bed, taking 3L of water with you, your favourite TV programmes on DVD, books, whatever makes you happy- and stay there until this growth spurt is over. Do not wear a bra, and I'd consider jumping in a bathtub, combing your boobs and then nursing him in there.
Love to your other half for supporting you through this as well- I know breastfeeding difficulties can be really tough for men because they can see a "fix"- grabbing a bottle of ABM- and it's hard to stay focussed on the long-term plan when someone you love is hurting. We're here if he wants to vent, or wants advice too, y'know?

[eilonwy]

Originally Posted by flapjack

Love to your other half for supporting you through this as well- I know breastfeeding difficulties can be really tough for men because they can see a "fix"- grabbing a bottle of ABM- and it's hard to stay focussed on the long-term plan when someone you love is hurting. We're here if he wants to vent, or wants advice too, y'know?

: Mike's been there and done that, for sure. There are menfolk around here, too, even though this place is called the MotheringDotCommune. Good call, Helen.

[flapjack]

The NCT's breastfeeding success rates doubled when the husbands and partners started coming to the breastfeeding class and it stopped being women-only, and I know the active birth teachers are finding the same thing Behind every breastfeeding mother is a man who's working his back off and keeping his mouth shut.