starting to fear feeds

[bronny-jane]

OMG it really hurts when zoe feeds off my sore breast, i wince in pain every time, im so scared to feed her off it, i try to avoid it for as long as i can....i know i have too though for it to get better, but it just really hurts.....my sister gave up bf after 10 days because of mastitis..i dont want too, i just wish it was better...im losing hope that it will ever get better:crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:

[the_queen]

BJ :hugs: this is totally normal, when you have pain BFing it is totally normal to get emotional and teary about it. Fear is normal, because we are biologically programmed to avoid pain. Please know that this will get better. Get some really really good advice, from the ABA or a qualified LC, and beleive me that this will pass. I was the same when Curtis was about 3 weeks old, the pain meant that I would take him off that boob before it was drained, and THAT'S what almost gave me mastitis. So although it hurts, please know that it won't last forever.

Have you tried different feeding positions? I found that the 'football' hold helped take the pressure off the crack on my nipple. So the breast got drained but the crack wasn't getting worse.
Lansinoh? Slather it on, it soothes after a feed and helps heal cracks and blisters.
Get some advice about attachment, go to your ECHN centre and speak to the BFing help team, or the LC, and get them to watch you feeding. It might be as simple as the way she's laying when you're feeding her. One little thing can make a huge difference.

:hugs: BJ don't give up hope, I promise it will all get better. Just when I thought that the pain and discomfort would never end, one day it just got 100% better. Suddenly everything just fell into place, and I really hope it will for you too.

[emilysmumma]

:hugs: to you. I know it hurts at the beginning but it is soooo worth it if you can keep it up till it passes.
I remember being in tears as well for a few days as I knew that again DD would have to be fed shortly and it just hurt so much.
Remember to massage the sore areas while you are feeding from that side and stroke towards the nipple to help unblock the duct.
Also when not feeding, hot face washers and a little bit of expressing and massaging I also found helped as well.

Good luck and your doing a beautiful job.

[Kirstlea]

Oh Bronny-Jane its not a nice feeling :hugs: to you.

Try and get on to a Lactation Consultant ASAP, I promise they will help you straight away.

I had a few problems at the beginning but as soon as I had the LC come to my house and help me no more pain. It was instant pain free. It all came down to attachment and I never had any more problems again unless I didn't ensure dd was latched on properly.

The LC will help you to find the best position for both you and bub which really helps with correct attachment. Not everyone can BF sitting up or lying down which ever, some find it easier with the football hold, some need an extra pillow but the LC will find the best way for you both.

Goodluck - there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Kirsten:thumbsup:

[zenifa]

Firstly lots of big :hugs: to you BJ

I can only reiterate what the others have said. The first few weeks of bf my DD were very painful, I also got teary, tensed up and dreaded the next feed, as it was just burning pain, leading to sore/cracked nipples!! I tried to give my nipples some air and sunlight to heal, lathered on the lansinoh and used hot flannels on them to relieve some of the pain of letdown.

However the best thing I did was ring a LC, she came around within 30 mins and helped me with positioning and attachment and I was amazed......it didn't hurt anymore!! Although my nipples were sore/cracked, and that took about a week to heal, but I could relax and bf my dd without screaming on the inside and crying:crying: ( & I didn't even have mastitis).

You can also ring the ABA or see CHN for help also. You aren't alone. Hang in there!! I promise it will get better. Good luck with it, and well done for persevering so far!!:thumbsup: