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bored? help diagnose my BF issue? long

amyinaustinamyinaustin
in Austin Babies

Here is where we stand:

-no noticeable lumps/clogged ducts, but generalized tenderness on each breast (to where it hurts to hold DD over my shoulder), more on the left than the right, and a SLIGHT bit of redness on lefty no bigger than a quarter in diameter

-no fever, but I do have general body aches that come and go.  I had mastitis twice before, and this seems to be different b/c of the lack of obvious signs (fever/clogged ducts).  Oh, and it does not seem like thrush b/c I'm not having that stabbing nipple pain

- Sometimes DD will nurse like a champ from each side, but sometimes she will stop and unlatch/re-latch/unlatch, turn red (as if she's straining to make a diaper), then cry out.  I'll burp her, she'll burp and spit up a good amount and then immediately want to eat again and then the whole cycle starts again.  She does this from both sides, but more often w/ lefty.  Thankfully it's usually after she has eaten for a few minutes so I know she's getting SOME thing.  She usually then sucks a little more and then falls asleep.  She also has been her typical laid-back self a lot too - it's not like she's been super fussy or irritable.

- I was having an oversupply issue (w/ lots of choking) but that is no longer the case.  she IS getting milk b/c I can squeeze it out very easily and I can also hear her swallowing.  At the suggestion of the LC from the hospital, I put a small amount of cabbage on the reddish area of lefty and it seems to have helped a little w/ the redness/pain.  Also, she suggested putting ice on my breasts after feedings to help in case DD is not TOTALLY emptying each side, so I've done that a few times.  I've also tried changing up the nursing position (going from cross-cradle to football) and that does not help.  I would say about 30% of our feedings end with her crying/spitting up/latch/unlatch, etc. And it's like a mad cry, like "how dare you take that away from me!"

-she IS sleeping longer stretches at night (4-5 hrs) but I'm hesitant to pump b/c I don't want to tell my body to make more milk than she needs at night - is that wrong? And if I do pump, how long should I to avoid confusing my supply?

Any ideas?  If you made it this far, thank you.  And for those that will recommend Cheryl - a few questions for you:

-how quickly can she get you in?  

-does she take credit cards?

I'm worried that if I don't act fast I'm going to somehow mess up my supply since she is not eating as much as she used to.

Thanks for any advice - I'll be checking back later tonight.  :)

 

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Re: bored? help diagnose my BF issue? long

  • PMBridetobePMBridetobe member
    I am sorry that you are having BF issues.  I cant answer on much but Cheryl takes CC and I was able to get in within 2 days.  I would call ASAP tomorrow morning and see what she has.
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  • el_twirpoel_twirpo member
    imageamyinaustin:

    -no noticeable lumps/clogged ducts, but generalized tenderness on each breast (to where it hurts to hold DD over my shoulder), more on the left than the right, and a SLIGHT bit of redness on lefty no bigger than a quarter in diameter

    is the tenderness near the armpit or closer to the center of your chest? i ask because i had a small clogged duct toward the center of my chest for the first time (of the 5-6 clogged ducts i've experienced), and massaging that spot and doing compressions while DS ate helped. i never had a lump there - it was generalized tenderness in that area. 

     

    imageamyinaustin:
    - Sometimes DD will nurse like a champ from each side, but sometimes she will stop and unlatch/re-latch/unlatch, turn red (as if she's straining to make a diaper), then cry out.  I'll burp her, she'll burp and spit up a good amount and then immediately want to eat again and then the whole cycle starts again.  She does this from both sides, but more often w/ lefty.  Thankfully it's usually after she has eaten for a few minutes so I know she's getting SOME thing.  She usually then sucks a little more and then falls asleep.  She also has been her typical laid-back self a lot too - it's not like she's been super fussy or irritable.

    could it be gas? maybe she's feeling uncomfortable when she starts to eat. 

    imageamyinaustin:
    -she IS sleeping longer stretches at night (4-5 hrs) but I'm hesitant to pump b/c I don't want to tell my body to make more milk than she needs at night - is that wrong? And if I do pump, how long should I to avoid confusing my supply?

    i would first try to rule out clogged ducts. hot showers, massage, compression while nursing and pumping on the left side after feeding to try to empty it as much as possible.

    it sounds like you're not dealing with engorgement/oversupply anymore, so i'm not sure what pumping would help with except to unclog ducts. maybe you can take DD to special addition to weigh her before/after nursing to see if she's taking enough in. otherwise, all the extra pumping would give you an oversupply problem again.

    hope some of this helps! 

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  • amyinaustinamyinaustin

    Thanks PM!

    And eltwirpo- the pain is more central to the breast but there is also some near the armpit. I did a long hot shower tonight w/ massaging and that seemed to help a little. Also, I think you're right- I'm sure it has to do w/ gas somehow, it's just a matter of treating it the best way I can. It's just so frustrating to hear he screaming and see her rooting only to watch her get so frustrated and latch/unlatch.

     I appreciate your replies :) 

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