Im at a loss with breastfeeding

**KaM** · 17-10-2007 22:51

I dont know which way to turn at the moment, Matilda is 18 months old and only goes to sleep with the boob, on the odd occassion she might fall asleep in the pram or watching a dvd but not very often.

The problem is that my nipples are so very very sore, and Im so very very tired. I get very antsy and flustered and short tempered when she is feeding as she just wont lay still.

My left nipple has a ring of ouch around it, its basically a big circle of grazing, from where her teeth drag on the skin when she sucks as well as a nice graze on the top of it and my right nipple, well just away from it, has a crack/split thats been there for months because it just cant heal, it is very slowly but its still there.

She refuses to let go and I have to tickle her til she laughs and has no choice but to.

I dont know what to do, part of me wants to stop but part of me doesnt, I dont know how Id get her to sleep or comfort her, thats all she knows really and what she wants. But I get so tired and cranky when she feeds.

Can anyone help? Offer advice?

**♥Heaven Sent♥** · 17-10-2007 23:06

Im sorry i don't have any advice so i can't offer anything but some

Have you tried some nipple creams to help sheild and heal them?

Maybe try explaining to her to be gentle or she dosn't get it,this is what i tell Sasha and he seems to listen and understand.

**Shanaynay** · 17-10-2007 23:11

Dunno..... you poor thing..... but you said that she feeds way less when you are out right? Maybe you could start to take small day trips to the park, library etc... around the time she starts to want to just feed feed feed? To distract her?

I don't know if she's anything like Evie, but when Evie sees just a hint of boob, she just goes for it. The temptation is too much and she can't help herself

Most tops show a fair bit of breast to young kiddies, spesh when you lean down etc... maybe you could try wearing firm fitting bras and high-ish necked tops like t-shirts, just to remove that visual temptation... out of sight out of mind sort of thing.
Then when she tries to maul you for it (it's how I can best describe what Evie does!!) maybe just try a bit of distraction, maybe pick her up so she still gets to be close to you, but take her over to the window and show her what is outside etc...

Probably won't help at all, but worth a shot.

**JnA** · 17-10-2007 23:13

perhaps consider nipple shields?

**EsSjAy** · 17-10-2007 23:17

18 months... Wow what an amazing effort!!!
Definitely don't feel guilt for your thoughts......
Do what you feel is right for you because you have definitely been doing what's best for her for the last 18 months...
I had alot of difficulty breastfeeding and i wish i was able to have done it but i'm one of the unlucky one's.
I don't have much advice to give you other than it is important for your little girl to have a good sleep/settling routine... More importantly for you...
You deserve it...
Speak to your Child Health Nurse
Sleep and settling issues can be resolved.... Boob or no boob!!!

All the best x x

**studyingECS** · 17-10-2007 23:19

for you

xoxo

**aardvark** · 17-10-2007 23:23

I have similar issues, but I notice that they are far more pronounced when I am pre-menstrual.

Knowing that the nipples won't be so sore and that I won't be so aggro during a feed in a few days helps me focus on getting past it. I REALLY hate the breast pump at work when I am like that, but I stick it out, and once AF starts, the situation improves.

DS is 21 months, still has a lot of boob, and I still pump for him while I am at work.

**KaM** · 18-10-2007 09:46

Thanks guys, Ive tried some creams but to no avail as once Matilda starts feeding again it happens again, plus it keeps getting stuck on my bra and you can imagine what that does

Ive ordered some wool breast pads, as they are supposed to help with healing and today Im going to get some nipples shileds. This is phase 1

**Kizmet** · 18-10-2007 10:33

We spoke about it yesterday but I think you need to decide which way you want to go so we can attack that way head on ie. if you are 100% on keeping breastfeeding then we can work out a plan of attack for that or if you want to wean we can work out that plan of attack

those very lush breastpads help!