I don't know what to do!

[Tam-I-Am]

I'm still breastfeeding 12 month old DD. I recently posted a thread about her getting school sores on her face.

She bit me the other night when feeding and drew blood - because of that and the obviously necessary close contact with the school sores on her face, the bite marks of my breast have turned into school sores themselves - Its AGONY!

I've been to the doctor and have antibiotics - but its turning into mastitis. I can't feed off that side and I'm having real trouble expressing too. I don't know what to do. I don't want to wean her now, but I don't know if I can keep feeding her at this rate. What do I do?

[misskittyfantastico]

Just chill for the moment. Does she have both boobs at a feed? When your poor owie boob gets really full I'm sure it will be easier (I know still painfull though) to express.
Take it one feed at a time. You know that sometimes things feel dire and then given time it all seems do- able.
Keep me posted and PM Goosie:hugs:

[Tam-I-Am]

Thanks kitty.

No, I'm actually not offering both sides ATM - I just cannot bear to feed her from the infected side. I've been trying to express from that side lots, but it sooooo painful.

I'm just feeling really unwell and tired, and I'm dreading every feed ATM b/c I know I should feed her myself, but can't so am feeding from the bottle.

Bad mummy! LOL

[Rainbowbrite]

Oh you poor thing :hugs: I'm sorry i dont have any advice but hope it gets better soon :hugs:

[borntobemummy]

i'm going thru the same thing ATM, minus the school sores. I'm on antibiotics since yesterday for mastitis. I hate feeding her now- it hurts do much, i cry and scream! I rang the Australian Breastfeeding Association councillor last night - she was really helpful with suggestions. I recommend you to call them too. Basically, for me, I need to keep feeding on the bad side or it won't clear up:banghead: so, I'm fighting through it :(

[Mischief]

Hugs to you Tami. :hugs:

You poor thing, you have been having a bit of a hard time lately havent you!

Hopefully the sore will clear up really soon. You have probably already tried this, but when your breast gets engourged, jump in a hot bath or shower and it tends to run off itself.....it also helps the lumps, I just massage really gently and they usually come out.

:fingerscrossed: I really hope you feel better soon and your poor booby gets all better!!!

[Tam-I-Am]

I've just gotten home from the emergency department for the 2nd time in 2 days.....It's turned into secondary mastitis. I can't breastfeed from my right side, and everytime I express the sores open up again. I feel shocking, I'm really miserable, and I still don't know what to do. They've given me one dose of intravenous antibiotics, but the doctor on today said they can't do anymore for me , and suggested that I wean DD.

I'm going to call the b/f support unit on mondya, and express as much as I can in the mean time, but for now - I feel like cr@p.......

[misskittyfantastico]

Oh chick! I just want to give you a big cuddle:hugs: You don't have to be a martyr...you're doing all the right things and you are a wonderful mum.
Be kind to yourself. Your daughter needs a strong, healthy mum first and foremost.
I'm here anytime.:hugs:

[gremily]

In the 13 mths I fed DD1 I had absolutely no problems. But with DD2 I've had mastitis twice and it's absolutely hell. The best thing is to keep feeding off of the engorged boob, but understandedly with the school sores it makes this sooooooo much harder.
It's great that you're on BH letting your feelings out - better out than in! It can be exhausting and extremely depressing when things like this happens, so make sure you keep talking to your loved ones, and like Borntobemummy suggested, call the ABA.
Please let us know when you recover, :hugs:

[borntobemummy]

OMGoodness Tami :hugs: :hugs: That sounds absolutely terrible!! Call the ABA, they are available over the weekend and really helpful :yes: Would you consider weaning? I was really tempted to when the pain was at it's worst.. just a thought, don't mean to sway you either way. I don't know what else to say, lot's of :hugs: for you!!

[Elijahsmama]

I feel so bad for you. Ive had mastits 3 times and it's a killer!! Luckily i never got it that bad but my sister did and she ended up having to stop BF much to her dislike as her mastitis ended up turning into an absess the size of a tennis ball and had to get cut out. She went through a really tough time - all this started happeing when her milk came in so combined with baby blues and being a first time mum.
Anyway you dont have to be super mum you have done so well BF for 12mths, not saying that you should stop BF but you should be proud of yourself for sticking at it this long and wanting to continue in the midst of all that your going through. Wishing you the best and that it all clears up rapidly without having to wean your DD.

[Tam-I-Am]

thanks guys.

Well, early monday morning and I've called the local lactation consultant - she was really supportive, and told me its not impossible to keep breastfeeding if that's what I want to do (and it is). She suggested nipple shields and because DD is 12 months old - said they shouldn't cause any nipple confusion probs etc, and because DD is used to the bottle, she will probably take to them quite easily.

She reckons they should protect my nipple while feeding, meaning less damage to the sores each time, speeding up healing.

:fingerscrossed: Fingers crossed it works! DD is still refusing some breastfeeds, but I think that's cause I get so tense and anxious when I know a feed time is coming. I try not to, but its hard knowing that I'm going to be in agony one way or another (either by her feeding, or me expressing) for the next little while.

Wish me luck guys - I'll update you when I know whether the shields are working!

[cheezelkat]

Good luck! I really hope things work out for you. I think its awesome that you're still trying to breastfeed even when in pain. The things we do for our bubs! :)