WWYD - Struggling

tyler&maggie

DS is 6.5wks and was 6lbs 12oz at birth.

Saw LC at 10 days b/c of severe pain when nursing. Was diagnosed w/"nipple trauma" (cracks/fissures), LC said DS had lost weight b/c his mouth was too small and he needed to grow to latch properly so we finger fed/bottle fed expressed milk using preemie nipple for about two weeks.

At 3wks DS passed his birth weight. We kept attempting nursing 2-3 times/day (w/and w/o nipple shield).

At 5wks I thought we had it but then  cracks re-opened. Went back to the LC & she thinks problem isn't his latch but his upper lip. It's "tight" and doesn't move freely when he nurses - so he's basically chomping at the breast causing damage/pain. She recommended a PT and we have an appt to see PT next week - the earliest we can get in.

At this point, I can really only nurse 3 times a day but I dread it b/c it's so, so painful. I'm hoping the PT can help b/c I don't know where we'd go next or how much longer I can keep pumping/bottle feeding (it's so time-consuming it feels like it's robbing me of time w/my son and H).

I found bfing support groups to attend which have helped but I think I'm reaching my breaking point. I'm tired of crying about this. I'm tired of pumping. I want to BF but feel like I'm at the point where I need to determine the benefits of DS getting breastmilk vs. a sustainable routine so I can be healthy both mentally and physically.

I have a very supportive H/family/pediatrician who are all on board w/BF or FF...it's essentially my call at this point but I want to make sure that we've truly tried everything before I give up.

Thoughts? Something I haven't thought of? Thanks so much and thanks for reading...

TJ1979

I'm so sorry you're having a rough time.  I had a fairly similar situation, and had cracked bleeding nips until 8 weeks.  Around 6 weeks, I heard about laid back nursing.  Have you tried it?  (Google it and watch the video.)  It helped LO learn how to get a deeper latch, and it was much less stress for both of us.  It still took a couple more weeks for my badly damaged nipples to completely heal, but it felt better and hurt less from the first time we tried it.  GL and ((huge hugs.))  Hang in there.  You're doing a great job.

telyn

TJ1979:

I'm so sorry you're having a rough time.  I had a fairly similar situation, and had cracked bleeding nips until 8 weeks.  Around 6 weeks, I heard about laid back nursing.  Have you tried it?  (Google it and watch the video.)  It helped LO learn how to get a deeper latch, and it was much less stress for both of us.  It still took a couple more weeks for my badly damaged nipples to completely heal, but it felt better and hurt less from the first time we tried it.  GL and ((huge hugs.))  Hang in there.  You're doing a great job.

 

This. Laid back nursing and a nipple shield (and lots of lanolin and Advil) for a while to help with healing help us a great deal. GL!!

mcanant

Nipple shield (Medelas are great) and APNO   . Lifesavers

 

All purpose nipple ointment prescription (also called newman's ointment) can be gotten from your doc. Compound pharmacies are usually the ones that fill it. Not always covered by insurance but SO worth it. 

tyler&maggie

Thank you all.

We are using both a nipple shield and APNO (that stuff is amazing!). My supply is okay but not great and my letdown takes a while, at least on the pump - would that make a difference with laid-back nursing?

TJ1979

tyler&maggie:

Thank you all.

We are using both a nipple shield and APNO (that stuff is amazing!). My supply is okay but not great and my letdown takes a while, at least on the pump - would that make a difference with laid-back nursing?

I had low supply and used laid back nursing. 

hilsy85

If LO's upper lip is tight, have you looked into whether he might have a lip tie? My LO has one and I also have pain while nursing...I'm considering getting it clipped.