Hi All,

Sorry this is going to be a bit of a long one! My LO is 16 days old and I have been trying to breastfeed from birth. I had a C-section and as a result my milk took a little longer coming in so Aoife lost quite a lot of weight. I also suffer from cracked nipples - although these are now on the mend as we have learned how to latch on properly! Because of the weight loss and the fact that Aoife had not pooed properly the mw told me to add in some supplimentary feeds so at the end of a breast feed she would have around 2 oz of formula milk She has been really good about this and still takes the breast without any problems in fact now my milk has come through properly she often won't take the bottle after having both breasts.

Unfortunately the problems haven't stopped there - I now have mastitis - the doc thinks the infections probably got in through the cracked nipples! I can honestly say I don't think I have ever felt so ill. I woke up last night shivering so hard (but drenched in sweat) that I woke up LO in the cot at the end of the bed! My OH is being fantasic and letting me more or less stay in bed until the antibiotics kick in - he bring Aoife in to be nursed and is doing all the nappies, cooking etc. But I hurt so much (both breasts) and my head is constantly pounding I am coming very close to giving up on the bf. I had a vision of bfing until about 6 months then weaning on to solids and bottles ready for going back to work.

I just wondered if anyone had been through anything similar and what descision you made?

Thanks
Steph

Hi Steph,

Stick with it hunni.... I had the same problems with my first son, cracked nipples then mastitis and it is one of the most painful things I have ever experienced!! It does get easier and the more you feed the less painful it will become but it takes time but percivere its so worth it. I really enjoyed bf'ing and it reallly helped me bond with my babies. Its just the best feeling in the world.

Keep ya chin up.

Best Wishes Kerry x
(monsterboo77@yahoo.com - if you want to chat)

Sorry to hear your feeling crap. It is hard enough looking after a newborn without being poorly too. I gave up bf much too quick (after first 'feed' in fact) and do wish I had at least given lo more of the colostrum at least. You sound like you really want to bf and I think you'd be disappointed to give up now! So hard as it is, keep going...you will feel better soon, let your OH keep on doing stuff and if it gets too much for him then get your mum or mil round if your close to her. Rest up, and try not to do anything except feed your baby. The antibiotics should kick in before you know it, and you'll be glad you didn't give up. You can use nipple shields for the soreness if it helps?xx

Aw honey, i know how you feel - mastitis is hell! Stopping bf would be the worst thing for it though, you'd just be adding the pain of engorgement to the mastitis pain. I promise it will get better soon, the antibiotics will do the trick.
I was in severe pain (cracked nipples) for the first 5 weeks, but i'm so happy that i persevered. Alex is now 7 months and i'm still bf - it's the best thing i've ever done and i'll be reluctant to give it up when he's older!

Don't give up!! I had mastitis twice in the first six weeks with Millie (fortunately I seem to have escaped it this time round) and although it is sooo painful I felt much better after 24hrs on the antibiotics both times. Paracetamol will help with the pain and is safe to take while you are feeding, if you haven't taken any yet soluble paracetamol works a bit quicker than the normal stuff. I know it is painful but try and massage any lumps while lo is feeding to clear any blocked ducts. It is really important to finish the antibiotics as well as it can come back if you don't get rid of it properly first time (think that was what happened to me). Like MrsC said, if you stop feeding it will actually make you feel worse so stick with it and I'm sure you will feel alot better by the morning.
Big hugs
xx

Thanks a million for your replies and encouragement. It's good to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel! I will persevere hopefully i'll look bsck in s few months time and wonder what the fuss was about!

hia hun,congratulations on ur baby.Im sorry ur feeling so bad,iv not suffered with mastitis (touchwood) but i know how difficult bf is in the early days but if its what you really want then you must stick at it or else you will really regret it.I only did 3 weeks with my 1st but with grace shes now 14 weeks n i dnt ever wanna give up!its such a bonding experience and ul feel so proud seeing her pile on the pounds all because of your milk!The early days ARE hard but i promise there is a light at the end of the tunnel and bf soon becomes second nature.Try to rest and i hope the antibiotice work v soon,hanna n baby gracie xx