The Doc suggested I quit

kmcd23 · August 2013

Breastfeeding has been a long and hard road for us. My son is 10.5 weeks now, and while it's getting easier, it's still far from easy. Today, I went to the doc for a fever, and it was a new one because my regular doc deployed. The new guy suggested I quit breastfeeding. I felt awful.

He lost weight in the hospital, and I gave in to the pressure to supplement with formula, and regretted it right away. But about 10 days old, we were EBF again, and I was much happier.

He had a tongue tie, I got thrush, and he still has a shallow latch, which I think it causing vaso-whatevers.

My nipples are much better than they were, but my right nipple still has an open spot that hasn't healed yet. It's been open since the first week. It's for that reason that he wants me to consider stopping. He said if it hasn't healed yet, it probably won't, and I'm going to keep getting recurrent infections. He also said I was setting myself up for MRSA, which I thought was a little drastic. And he said it wasn't healthy for me to be feeding the baby from an infected nipple. I thought it was ok?

I don't plan on quitting. I'm scared to take the antibiotics he prescribed because of thrush. And he wasn't sure if the fever had anything to do with my nipple or not. There is no obvious signs of mastitis - no red, hard, or hot spots. Just the open, painful nipple, but that's not anything new.

This is more of a vent than anything. I am so determined to do ONE THING the way I planned. The way I feel is best for my baby. My med-free birth didn't happen. My vaginal birth didn't happen. My instant skin to skin and nursing didn't happen. I feel like breastfeeding is all I have left to give my son the best start I possibly can.

I feel like I need to meet a miracle worker. An LC that will say more than just 'work on his latch'. A doctor that will do more than write an RX I may or may not need. I need someone that will help me get there, not encourage me to quit.

JoyfulW&M · August 2013

Do you have LLL there? Or near by? Also are there any free standing birth centers? They usually either have excellent LC onsite or can put you in touch with one.

JoyfulW&M · August 2013

Here got to this sight and see if there is a trained LC in your area and hopefully a support group.
https://www.lllusa.org/

ktpaladino · August 2013

I ALMOST got to the point of needing it, but never made the call....but a few ladies on here recommended having my OB write me a Rx for APNO nipple cream, as AmyG mentioned for you. Supposedly the stuff works miracles...maybe give it a try? Also, trust your instincts. We were plagued with like every BF problem in the book, and somehow overcame everything. So don't give up if you're not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

Mrs.AmyDylan · August 2013

Hang in there! It took us about 8-10w to get going due to tongue tie, bad/inability to latch and nipple damage. My nipples finally healed with a nipple shield (only way to get DD off the bottle from pumping), but that introduced other problems.

I like the idea of pumping the damaged side. Not sure if you are using bottles and pumped milk, but if you want to avoid bottles maybe pump that breast every other feed to minimize time on that nipple, but avoid tanking your supply.

You can do it! I also echo finding a LC or at least going to some LLL meetings.

fancefpp · August 2013

I agree with the APNO suggestion. I think every nursing mom should get this stuff in the beginning! It saved me both times

opheliainwaders · August 2013

Definitely go to an LLL meeting, and ask the group leader for a rec for an IBCLC. The difference between the woman I saw who was an IBCLC and the nurses in the hospital was staggering, and really saved us.

hpoff33 · August 2013

You can definitely still breastfeed. I have had open wounds on both of my breasts from baby biting. They were incredibly painful, but I took a break from nursing on the side that was effected. I pumped, kept it clean, applied triple antibiotic cream and applied breast milk to the wound. Once I did begin nursing again, I used a nipple shield intermittently. It was definitely difficult, but doable. I agree that speaking with a good LC will really help as they are trained to help you navigate situations like the one you are in. Hang in there mama!

ljanette85 · August 2013

I had 8 weeks of BFing helll, 4 more weeks of discomfort and then it was better! I kept my nipples lubed up constantly lol, I would even put a little bacitracin on them. I wore nipples sheilds all of the time until they healed. You can do it! Once you get past the pain it is so worth it. It's not for everyone, but I would supplement in between feelings. He was so hungry and I really needed a break. I nursed every 2-3 hours and if he was hungry in between he got and ounce or two of formula. It kept us sane and let my nipples heal.

TJ1979 · August 2013

Big hugs. You have gotten a lot of great advice. I had cracks and open wounds for 6 weeks until I learned about laid back nursing. That was what finally allowed LO to latch deep enough to stop injuring my nipple. (Google it and watch the video if you aren't familiar.)
Also, try to air it out as much as possible. I spent 24 hours a day topless. I applied neosporin 3 times a day, but you have to wash it off before nursing LO. I slept topless with the fan on and no sheets over my boobs (with a towel under me for leakage.) The combination of fixing the latch and airing them out had me fixed up in less than 2 weeks.
If you take the antibiotics, definitely get some probiotics too. That should prevent the thrush from returning. We went through all of the breastfeeding issues too, we had such a rough start. But we finally made it through all that, and are still happily nursing at 12 months +. GL, and hang in there. You're doing great.

kmcd23 · August 2013

Thank you ladies! I'm sorry I posted and ran. I was definitely having a pity party for a while.

I decided against the antibiotic for now. I don't feel sick at all any more. Instead, I started using Bacitracin (Sp?) and Lotrimin mixed together again - 2 of the components of APNO, right?

I haven't been able to get APNO. The military pharmacy doesn't carry it, and my doc wouldn't call it out to a compounding pharmacy, and the compounding pharmacy won't let me buy it without an RX for it. But I'm going to try again. I started going to a breastfeeding support group, and i'm going to ask next week about other avenues to obtain it.

I swapped out a few feeds for pumping too.

Evidently, I was making a big mistake. Somewhere along the way, someone told me to use my finger while I made a boob sandwich to pull his chin down a little farther to encourage him to open more. The LC at the new support group told me to NEVER do that, because they close down harder and faster by reflex. How did I not notice that? I just thought it was his enthusiasm for boob, lol. So already, just stopping that is making a huge difference. Even if he doesn't open as wide, it hurts less than when he opens wider and then chomps down. She also told me to massage his jaw during play time to encourage him to relax and open wider. I know he can open wide, because he does it all the time for his own hand. But for some reason, he doesn't no matter how long I tickle/wait when it's time to eat. And his abs are getting stronger because now he gets impatient and jerks forward to get the nipple anyway!

I'm not giving up, that's for sure. And I really, really appreciate the kind words, advice, and support.

emaddock · August 2013

A similar thing happened to me with DD and I ended up EBF her for 14 months. See a lactation consultant again. My DS is 10 months and I am going tomorrow because they change so much from week to week. I also had 2 births that didn't go as planned and felt breastfeeding was my only way to feel successful. So I totally get where you are coming from--just don't beat yourself up. It is super hard but I promise it does get easier after about 3 months and then at 6 months even easier. Good luck! And if you need to use a little formula it is OK!

Watergirl21 · August 2013

Sorry you are going through this. Jack Newman website has the recipe fir the nipple cream- I would take the antibiotics and use biogaga probiotic drops to help prevent thrush. With my first daughter I got an abscess on my breast around 4 months and was put on antibiotics- I had to go to emerge, have it drained and go back many times to have it looked after. I didn't stop nursing but I did stop pumping. The good news I kept nursing for another 11 months- so you can do it. You might try emailing the jack Newman clinic - they are pretty good with getting back to people.

cgregory81 · August 2013

" I am so determined to do ONE THING the way I planned. The way I feel is best for my baby. My med-free birth didn't happen. My vaginal birth didn't happen. My instant skin to skin and nursing didn't happen. I feel like breastfeeding is all I have left to give my son the best start I possibly can."

I completely understand this feeling! I said the same exact thing to my DH the other day. I've become a crazy woman about BFing because of it. I know what it's like when people tell me so readily to quit, but they don't understand. I'm sorry you're dealing with this and I don't have any great solutions for you, but I wanted to say that you're not alone in how you feel!! I hope your journey becomes less bumpy & that you find an LC who can truly help.

APendola · August 2013

First of all, I'm not overly impressed that a doctor would recommend you stop breastfeeding. I think a lot of doctors aren't knowledgeable about breastfeeding. I would suggest talking to an LC who will support your decision to keep nursing. On the other hand, maybe the doctor is worried that you are stressing yourself out by working so hard to keep up the nursing.

I had a hard time at the start too. I had very damaged nipples, thrush, a baby that was refusing to nurse which lead to low supply etc. I had to work hard to nurse and it took a few weeks to get back on track. I saw an LC, my family doc, and a breastfeeding doctor. Everyone was supportive of breastfeeding. It's important to find a health care professional that supports YOUR choices. It was worth it in the end though. My LO is 13 months now and I am still nursing. It was hard in the beginning, but in the long run nursing is easier than bottle feeding in my opinion (nothing to clean, nothing to pack when you go out). It's also better for the baby and you.

TheFutureMrs.O · August 2013

Bactroban got rid of my cracked and bleeding horrible nipples. You need a rx for it but it worked wonders. Put it on 3x a day and just make sure to remove before feeding again.

rm2013 · August 2013

cgregory81 said:
" I am so determined to do ONE THING the way I planned. The way I feel is best for my baby. My med-free birth didn't happen. My vaginal birth didn't happen. My instant skin to skin and nursing didn't happen. I feel like breastfeeding is all I have left to give my son the best start I possibly can."

I completely understand this feeling! I said the same exact thing to my DH the other day. I've become a crazy woman about BFing because of it. I know what it's like when people tell me so readily to quit, but they don't understand. I'm sorry you're dealing with this and I don't have any great solutions for you, but I wanted to say that you're not alone in how you feel!! I hope your journey becomes less bumpy & that you find an LC who can truly help.

This exactly!

rab2006 · August 2013

I had a stressful time trying to nurse with DD and the pain they said that woudl go away, never went away. I constantly had blisters and bleeding and therefore quit after 1 week to try exclusively pumping. THat became so much work that I quit at 4 weeks. I have read from other posts that nipple shields can sometimes hurt your supply, but after my experience, I am trying it to start and go from there. Maybe that would be something you could try on the side with the open wound to give the skin a long enough break to hopefully start healing. When I was still in the hospital after having DD, the LC also suggested a "Home OIntment". While I was still trying, it was the only thing that helped to some degree w/ healing...

"These medicated creams are approved for breastfeeding according to Dr. Hale, author of Medications and Mother's Milk.

1. Bactroban ointment (perscription only) OR Polysporin ointment (over the counter) (antibiotic ointments)

2. Mono stat OR gynelotromin OR terazol (antifungal creams)

3. Hydrocortisone 1% (for 48 hours) (anti-inflammatory cream)...

Mix equal amounts of the 3 ingredients and use a small dab on nipples after each feeding. You could mix the ingredients in a small bowl to have enough for the entire day.Stop the hydrocortisone after 48 hours and continue the other 2 ingredients for 3-4 days. (You may continue these for an additional week if needed)You do not need to wash the cream off before breastfeeding. If there is an excess amount on your nipples, you could wipe gently with a cotton ball or pad with olive oil."

jedimindtrick · August 2013

rm2013 said:

cgregory81 said:
" I am so determined to do ONE THING the way I planned. The way I feel is best for my baby. My med-free birth didn't happen. My vaginal birth didn't happen. My instant skin to skin and nursing didn't happen. I feel like breastfeeding is all I have left to give my son the best start I possibly can."

I completely understand this feeling! I said the same exact thing to my DH the other day. I've become a crazy woman about BFing because of it. I know what it's like when people tell me so readily to quit, but they don't understand. I'm sorry you're dealing with this and I don't have any great solutions for you, but I wanted to say that you're not alone in how you feel!! I hope your journey becomes less bumpy & that you find an LC who can truly help.

This exactly!

I am with you ladies on this too. On all accounts!

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