Blood :'(

[ChloeSmith]

So my nipples are still so sore at nearly 4 weeks, and last night I was feeding and noticed after that there was blood coming from one of the sores. Shortly after my poor baby was sick and there was blood in the sick

Feel awful about it! To give the nipple a rest I'm just feeding on one side overnight and expressing from the bloody side. Think will have to get a nipple shield tomorrow

Anyone else had any experience with this?

Really hope breastfeeding gets easier soon I've had several people look at the latch and nobody can tell me how to fix it. Feel so sad! Xx

 

[Samantha55]

Try not to worry Hun, if your baby was sick then it sounds like they got any blood that they may have taken out of their system. I did also have a little bleeding from one of my sore nipples during the second week but it was only bleeding slightly and I just used other breast while it heals as you are so sounds like you are doing all the right things.

I also brought nipple shields but I found it more painful with them on as baby had to work harder to get milk out so he chomped down even more and it wasn't pleasant. That's just my experience though and I've heard other ladies get on really well with them. Mine were boots own ones so perhaps it's worthwhile spending a little more and getting name brand ones...

As for getting easier, I think it really does, or at least that's what everyone says. I'm at week five now and although it isn't 'easy' yet it certainly has got a bit easier.... The toe curling latch is less toe curling for me now and that initial pain now only lasts a few seconds rather than minutes and I no longer cry when he latches so I guess it has got easier. You're doing great though, so well done. I try to remind myself each day that today will be easier than yesterday and the hardest part (the first 2 weeks) is over...

You said you have had your latch checked... Did they say it wasn't a good latch then? I guess it might be worth attending a breast feeding clinic maybe and get someone else to check if you think that the latch is causing the bleeding/pain still.

Good luck and keep going xxx

 

[ScotchEgg]

Hi honey I feel your pain. We've had several feeds where my bleeding nipples have caused him to bring up the feed and my blood and it's heartbreaking. I've still got a lot of pain at 5 weeks although it is better than the early days. I've had his latch checked so many times and always told it's perfect. I knew feeding would be hard but never knew it would be this hard.

 

[ChloeSmith]

Thanks both, I've been to see a specialist and been to a peer support group twice and an always told latch looks good, but I know it's not and that her tongue is rubbing my nipple, but I just don't know how to fix it!

Feeding the expressed milk was so easy today it made the transition to formula seem so tempting but really want to keep on breastfeeding if I can, it's just so hard!

 

[knopk@]

It doesnt sound right hun, have you seen a lactation consultant? Sounds like possible tt

 

[ScotchEgg]

Does tt cause pain then? SR has tongue tie but they said they're not concerned as he's feeding fine and putting on weight but it's so hard for me with the pain.

 

[ChloeSmith]

She did have tt which was only diagnosed on Friday. We had it snipped (was so upsetting to watch but didn't seem to bother her!) but have seen no improvement on the pain, perhaps cos she learnt bad habits?

I've resorted to a nipple shield on the bad side to stop her getting any more blood but tbh it still hurts, and think it's making things worse latch-wise.

Will be back on to the lactation consultant at 9am x

 

[Nat26]

Just read this thread and the first thing I thought was tongue tie. Did you get anymore help? The nipple should heal fairly quickly I would have thought, really hope things are a bit better for you

 

[ChloeSmith]

She's directed me back to the support group so I'll go there again on thurs. They haven't been able to help much so far though

 

[SpinSugar]

You do have to give it time with TT. And it can get worse before it gets better. It took us 3 weeks till it started improving! I hated it when I was dripping blood, such agony. My savour was breast shells so my boobs could heal. I had these. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000MMQO60
I also found giving a dummy helped so much, I trained her to keep her tongue down...but I know that's odd as u shouldn't give a dummy too Doon after TT procedure.

Scotchegg, TT can cause a shallow latch which caused a lot of pain x

 

[ChloeSmith]

That's really reassuring Spin Sugar, thanks!

I have just introduced a dummy to reduce comfort sucking, so let's hope that helps

Keeping persevering, at the end of every day when I feel sore I think to myself that's one more day I've breastfed for. Plus weighed her today and at 4 weeks she's 11lb, so she's getting her fill! X