Two bad previous BF experiences, hoping for better luck this time

[Bexybun]

Hiya, just looking for some support I guess- bit of background, I have two daughters of 8 and 3 and am 36 weeks pregnant. I started breast feeding both girls, with my first I was a young nervous first time mum and was told when she was about a week old that she wasn't getting enough for me and should just switch to formula I was never advised to persevere or anything, so I just went ahead and stopped. With her I never had any pain or issues, just her weight loss.
Then with my second I fed her for the same, about a week, but had such horrific nipple pain that I was constantly weepy and scared to feed her. I didn't start using nipple cream until day 8, and by then I was feeling so depressed I think I'd all but given up on the idea (I have a history of depression so was nervous that it would send me over the edge into PND if I carried on).
So I suppose I'm just wondering if anyone has advice on how to push through and keep going even when its not going well? I think this time I will definitely have the cream to hand from day one- should you apply it from the beginning to avoid cracking etc, or wait til the pain starts?
Thanks guys xx

 

[Pin badge]

Hi Hun, I'm still breast feeding my 14 month old, just at bed time now. I found the first few weeks terribly difficult, painful and frankly miserable! But I am so so glad I persevered...it has been good for her, I'm sure it helped me loose my baby weight and meant I had no bottles etc to faff about with...one less job for a busy mummy!

Tips I can think of that helped me...
Use the cream from the word go, it's great stuff.
Try to let you nipples air dry a bit between feeds.
Try different positions, cradled, rugby ball, lying down, in a sling.
When you are engorged in the first week or so try cabbage leaves down your bra...it works!
Check baby for a tongue tie...my daughter has quite a severe one which is what caused the pain for me. The HV can check for you.
Get someone to check babies latch (HV or MW can do it.) They told me baby should have a good chunk of breast in the mouth not just suckle at the nipple...which causes pain.
There are lots of breastfeeding support peers online and you may even find a local group you could go to for help if you are struggling.
Remember it does get easier...I promise!

If I had my time again I'm not sure I'd have been so hard on myself...there were lots of tears, but I'm proud of myself now. Still I'm hoping feeding baby number 2 will be a little easier!

Good luck I'm sure you'll be great. I would say though if you feel it is contributing to PND for you seek help from your HV and at the end of the day if you feed baby formula it is not the end of the world. Having a happy, healthy mummy is more important. Xx

 

[TTT]

It definitely gets easier. I'm bf my first baby who is six months almost. I haven't faced as many problems as other mums I think just that we go hot and cold on latching well or not which Gabe me cracked nipples in the early days and I've just worked through nipple blebs and plugged ducts. I have quite a high pain threshold and deal with pain well (cant cope with sickness lol) so painful nipples don't bother me.too.much.

If I find it tough, the hardest phase I've got through was when we were back and forth at the docs with a suspected cows milk allergy. I found the pressure and anxiety very difficult.

I get through the tough times by reading up on the many many benefits of bf - there are hundreds! I believe bf releases oxytocin so in theory you should be less at risk of pnd. If exclusive bf is too much, you can always look at combination feeding.

 

[tinselcat]

I found the start of each breastfeeding session incredibly painful for the first several weeks (inverted nipples & tongue tie/poor latch made it worse) but one tip was offered was to count to 60 through the first minute each time, as it gets better after that.

The pain does go after a while - I used nipple shields to help me too, especially when I was very sore (best to experiment with different brands as they come in different shapes & sizes). The midwives at the hospital said you could use breast milk to heal yourself if you were sore, but I'd get the lansinoh ready anyhoo!

Good luckxx

 

[Browneyed Girl]

I totally recommend Lansinoh, my nipples were cracked and bleeding after a few days of breastfeeding and it makes it so much harder. I started using Lansinoh after every feed and they're in great condition now with no pain. I would use it from the start to try and avoid any cracking and just make sure you apply it every time. Good luck xx

 

[wifeywifey]

I haven't read your replies but I have 3 kids my first I bf for almost a month. I cried every time he woke and every feed. My second I fed for 3 days my third I fed for 6 weeks and I loved it, it came really natural and was actually relatively easy. I only stopped because she has a tongue tie and was cluster feeding all night and having two toddlers I had no time to sleep at all so started combine feeding which started off with one feed but then kind of went down a slippery slope so switched to bottle. Although it doesn't sound great lol it was a much better experience and I see it as a fond memory unlike my first two. Not every experience is the same and well done for not letting experience put you off x

 

[kumber]

Pain in nips can also come from oversupply or a foremilk/hindmipk imbalance. Google "oversupply kellymom" for help with identifying symptoms and whatnot as Lanisoh makes absolutely no difference with it but you can can improve it and regulate your supply, thereby getting rid of the pain.

I think the most important thing to do is listen to your body and your instinct. It's ok if you can't do, as much as it's equally ok if you can. Don't pressurise yourself!

 

[JJ Mum]

Totally agree on cream, use lansinoh and use it from the first feed in hosp thst you can reach it from your bag!! Put on both nipples after each feed even if you only use one side, you dont have to wash it off before feeding again.

Ignore hv/midwives etc just keep going , and if it helps i bottlefed 3 babies totally before I managed it and bf the last two for 12 and 13 mths each , you can do it, dont buy bottles or dont buy formula for hosp or home until needed that was its less easy to swap in a weak momemt.

 

[MrsGriff]

Have to disagree about the Lanisoh.

It's excellent stuff but I would definitely not recommend using it EVERY time you bf. It can cause problems with latching as it can be slippery for the baby. The bf counsellor we saw after we had problems with tongue tie told us that she regularly saw babies struggling to latch because their mums had smothered themselves in it. It really doesn't need to be used until your nipples start feeling a bit sore. Then put it on straight away. It works pretty quickly to relieve any discomfort so there's no harm in waiting till you need it. You'll probably find the first few weeks you use it a few times a week and then bf gets a lot easier and you'll not need it anymore.

 

[JoanPrice]

I too agree on cream.