Still scared about my past experience.. [Archive] - Bub Hub Pregnancy & Parenting Forum

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EskimoMumma

31-07-2006, 15:41

I wasn't sure where to put this so I thought this section might be the best.

I have been having troubles getting over my experience when i was BF DS.

For me, it was hell. It was weeks of nightmares and crying and the sorest bleeding nipples.

I had tried everything, the nipple sheilds, creams, different positions. I had all the milk, all the supply, but he was still trying to go for more. Every 1-2 hours, day and night and no sleeping.

When DS was born he had a tongue tie, and that was snipped when he was about 3 days old, not sure if that affected it or not.

But because of that nightmare I am so scared of trying to breastfeed again. So so very bad (even 4 years later) that I didn't breastfeed DD. I just seriously couldn't.

I am pregnant again now and i really really want to consider breastfeeding this bubs but it was so painful for me that I do not want to. Is there anywhere you can go to get over this??

TIA

holly

31-07-2006, 17:08

I can feel your pain!! I stopped at 2 weeks because of what you described and it was getting to the point where I associated DD with giving me the pain - not good.
Thankfully after stopping for 2 weeks and healing, we have picked up the morning and the occasional daytime feed on the breast and we are painfree.

Had I not been able to get up the courage to stick her back on once I healed I would have this memory still strongly in my mind, hell I still do! I even got to the point where I didn't think I could have another baby because I couldn't handle the pain again.

My advice would be don't leave that hopsital until you have demanded all the help you need, after I left the hopsital everyone could verbally or on paper tell me what I should be doing but unless someone was with me physically helping me it didn't make a difference.

Good luck and you're very brave to be contemplating giving it another go!

mrsd

31-07-2006, 17:41

I understand where you're coming from, too, Tia.

I had the whole cracked nipple thing (by the way, Bepanthen really helped me), and mastitis, with my two elder kids so the middle ones were bottle fed. I just thought I'd give it a go again with this younger one 'cos I try to do the "natural" thing as much as I can.

I had a really understanding midwife at our hospital. Visiting her (daily in the first week or so) really helped. It also helped that I knew that I could bottle feed if I had to.

I actually only lasted with him fully fed by me for about 2 weeks but I kept up the night feeds for about 8 weeks (longer than any of the others) and that 2 weeks was more than the middle ones had. There's no shame in bottle-feeding if you have to.

Have you got contacts at your local Nursing Mother's Association ? They might be able to help or have other contacts for you.

Good luck with everything. It'll be much easier without the "first time Mum" nerves, too.

meme

31-07-2006, 18:53

Have you got contacts at your local Nursing Mother's Association ? They might be able to help or have other contacts for you.

i second this idea, you might find them easier to find using their current name, they are now known as the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
i found them really helpful when i had cracked and bleeding nipples. there wasn't much they could do apart from showing me how to position and attach my baby, but just knowing they were there and that other mums in the group had been through challenges learning how to breastfeed, helped me see there could be light at the end of the tunnel.

how about making some sort of breastfeeding plan this time, getting positioning and attachment working well from the very beginning can really help avoid sore nipples. i paid very close attention to this after my first experience and my nipples didn't get as damaged.
i have heard tongue tie can make attachment difficult, my nips were sore and damaged after one feed, so 3 days of incorrect attachment could have definately played a part in your painful experience.
having contact with some sort of bfding professional while pregnant, practicing positioning with a doll, talking through your past experiences, and surrounding yourself wwith supportive people who understand that this is important to you ,could help.

i hope it all goes well:)

reAllytee

31-07-2006, 20:03

Tongue ties can also do what my DS's did to me which is act like a little saw & cut into your nipple so it may not even be the case of a normal cracked nipple or the likes. So there is a good chance of success next time if you can get past the psychological issue.
I know this is going to be my biggest issue as well as the fact that even to this day my nipples are scarred as well as incredibly painful to touch.
Heres hoping with some help & guidance you can get the outcome you wish for :fingerscrossed: :hugs:

Funkychicken

31-07-2006, 20:07

I'm sure the ABA can help you with your decision and offer advice regardless of whether you go ahead and BF. Try also to remember that every baby is different and each BF experience is different. All three of mine have been worlds apart. All the best.:thumbsup:

xkwzit

31-07-2006, 20:18

Lil X-men

31-07-2006, 20:24

I had exactly the same prob with my BF too and now that I am TTC2 am terrified at the thought of a little mouth on my traumatised boobs. More than that I am terrified of my milk coming in as I had mastitis from the minute it came on day 3, it was worse than my 30 hour labour I tell you!!
I am going to stay in Hospital longer this time and ge as much help as possible as I really want to do it this time. I lasted 5weeks of continuous mastitis and cracked nipples last time, 5 weeks of pure torture.
If I get mastitis I am going to demand to be admitted for IV anitbiotics as last time everyday I rang the hospital they told me to stay at home,that there was nothing they could do for me.
So I took 6 courses of antibiotics and it still didn't go away. It was just ridiculous, my milk was yellow and pussy by the end of and bubs wouldnt drink it, I couldnt believe noone would help me.
I rang Breast feeding association as they just told me to keep trying, WTH??????????? I had 40 degree fever for a week straight, keep trying , like heck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am thinking of hiring a lactation consultant next time actually, but I have no idea of the cost, anyone know or had experience with hiring one?

xkwzit

31-07-2006, 20:28

Depending on your private health cover, a visit while you are still in hospital can be free. After that I think around $30 per visit (about 30 minutes), some of which you might get back under private health cover too. That's 2001 prices though :D .

Cheers

Lil X-men

31-07-2006, 20:33

The ABA are great for general support and boosting your morale, but if you are having technical difficulties, a lactation consultant is worth their weight in GOLD. Your hospital or paed will have contact details for LCs in your area.

Every baby is different, some of them just do it no problems (or so I've been told :D )

Cheers

Thanks we must have posted at the same time. I will talk to the midwife when I have my antenatal appointment. I hope that If I have a paln this time I might be able to knock the problem on the head before its gets as bad as it did last time.

Lil X-men

31-07-2006, 20:35