Breastfeeding 3 weeks on and getting very painful, is this normal?

[Cowgirl7]

Hi all, I've been bf for 3 weeks now but rather than getting easier it's getting more painful, going to see doctor tomorrow to ask if it could be thrush in breasts as I had a nasty thrush infection downstairs after birth, just wondering if anyone has any thoughts?

[cheekymonkey3791]

Hey, your doing right thing by seeing your GP, we ha thrush and it started with a sore red nipple and lead to shooting pains through breast by time I has seen doc. Even with treatments my nipple suffered so would recommend putting a barrier between you if you can with nipple shield, it really helped.

It is really common as well, my LO got an almighty red bottom literally in the blink of an eye because of the thrush passing through digestion.

Hope you both get sorted soon x

[Cowgirl7]

Thanks cheekymonkey, that sounds exactly like where I am now, I'm using nipple shields occasionally, when I just can't face the full pain, but little man seems not to like them anymore. Cheers.x

[MadamAdams]

Not sure where you are but try finding your local La Leche League and speak to someone there too, it may be something as simple as your latch needs changing slightly. Poor positioning or a shallow latch can lead to problems that break a breastfeeding relationship despite the fact they're easy to sort out.

Thrush is normally quite easy to diagnose and easy to treat - main symptoms are white patches on and around the nipple and in baby's mouth. Your GP will be able to confirm a diagnosis. If it's not thrush ask to speak to a midwife about getting positioning and latch checked. Hope this has helped, I've put a link to the LLL website for more info

llli.org/

[Cowgirl7]

Hi MadamAdams, thanks for the reply. I'm not sure we have a local LLL but will investigate further, just managed a quick glance at the website last night. There is a children's centre run breast feeding clinic in a nearby town once a week, so I'm hoping to go there soon, just nervous as my 3 year old is at home on the same day and I'm not sure what toys there may be (she soon gets bored with any I take with us when we go out).

The doc has prescribed cream and gel for us, although Robert hasn't any symptoms, this is not unusual apparently. I have all the symptoms of thrush except the white spots, although there is one sneaky one on one nipple.

I do think our latch could be better, sometimes we do better than others, I have quite large breasts which makes getting a good mouthful a bit difficult to start with sometimes, especially if it's a while since he's fed, and as he is suffering reflux and really bad wind after most feeds my body is responding to all his crying by producing lots of milk, which just adds to the situation, another of mother nature's flaws in designing the human body! I sometimes express a little off shortly before he feeds just to make it easier for him, but of course that stimulates more production, argh, vicious circle, but it will get better in time.

Thanks again.

[kjam123]

Hey firstly really well done for keeping it up! I struggled with breastfeeding for 6 weeks but hang on in there and it's totally worth it! I would be extra careful with using shields though; I used them for a while and they can limit the amount of milk the baby is getting. My health visitor told me that 10 mins breastfeeding without a shield is the equivalent of breastfeeding for 40 mins with a shield! Sounds a bit ridiculous but my daughter did end up loosing a lot of weight because of them. Dont want to scare you, Im just giving you a heads up! Saying that I know exactly how painful it is at the beginning, but keep going! You're doing great xx

[Cowgirl7]

Hi kjam, thanks for the encouragement, I struggled with my daughter when she was born 3.5 years ago and ended up having to give up due to pain and poor milk supply, we managed 3 weeks ebf and a further 3 mixing. That said we hardly ever managed a comfortable feed, there were all sorts of other issues and I just hadn't a clue. This time it has gone far better so far and nipple shields and breast pump have had very limited use as I'm sure this was a major factor in things not working last time. Ironically, the last couple of times I used the shields was intentionally to reduce the flow as little one was choking as there was so much milk! I agree with you, feeding is far quicker without them, and a lot less hassle. I've only had fleeting thoughts of quitting but I'm enjoying bf too much to seriously consider that, it will improve. The thrush treatment is already taking the edge off things and I've just fed following Robert's first dose of ranitidine for reflux, and he's different again, fingers crossed we're on the right track.......

And well done you too, it really is a challenge but well worth it.x

[cheekymonkey3791]

Glad to hear that you have got the treatment for thrush, it does take a while to clear, my LO was put on Nystatin and I had Thrush Cream, I did use the shields but only whilst trying to clear it up, 1, because it was flipping sore and I would have tears running down my face and 2, so that we did not pass the infection between us. After this initial problem we have been symptom free every since I also found a more relaxed feeding position very helpful when it was so painful so we used to feed laying down on the bed to take all pressure/pull off and this was lovely.

Keep up with the great job that you are doing....it is an uphill struggle but you are half way to what is considered established feeding. Is there a Breast feeding baby café in your area, I attend one nearly every week, for advice in the early weeks but now because both my son and I enjoy going and meeting the girls for tea and cake. x