OT: breastfeeding help -- update

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much to everyone who sent their advice, both on and off list, to

me to help get me healed and enjoying breastfeeding. Unfortunately, I am

just recovering from my 2nd round of mastitis, which I came down with

Christmas Eve, needless to say a 102 degree fever does nothing for holiday

enjoyment! But I have talked with my local LLL leader and also a lactation

consultant. I will be starting all purpose nipple ointment to heal the

cracks, b/c the mastitis will have a way to keep coming back in if I don't.

Not thrilled about the drugs, but at least they are topical. I have also

been diagnosed with nipple vasospasms, which are not fun, but certainly

explain my weird pain. If you don't know what they are, this phenomenon

makes for interesting reading:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/nipple-blanching.html

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBJulAug99p120.html

I do pump occasionally (2-3 times a day) to give the left breast a rest

(still opening up that crack) and to relieve the right breast from

super-fullness. Owen will take a bottle no problem, so at least we aren't

dealing with nipple confusion on top of everything else.

My midwife says the next step is to get my little chomper to stop chomping!

Even though we have a good latch, he is such a strong sucker that his entire

mouth is one big suck blister -- not just the tip of his top lip like most

babies. After feedings, my nipple sometimes comes out of his mouth flat b/c

he sucks so hard. Anyone have any advice for this? I know certain

positions help certain people, and right now we are doing football and cross

cradle b/c it is easy for me to see his latch and also b/c those positions

help me drain the clogged ducts the best.

Again, any nursing words of wisdom are most appreciated, and I'll continue

to update you all. At least I see the light at the end of the tunnel now,

and I am feeling pretty proud of myself for not quitting yet!

 

Thanks!

Debbie

deb

http://www.debrasrhapsody.com

[Guest guest]

I'm so glad to hear that things are on their way to working out well

for you and little Owen!

 

Have you tried nursing while lying down? This is one of my favorite

nursing positions.

 

In case it hasn't been mentioned (really, it bears mentioning again,

anyway :0), breastmilk itself is a great healer IMO, so use it on your

own nipples to help in healing. As you are probably gathering, there

are many, many remedies, opinions, and suggestions. You will find what

is right for you and Owen as you work through the several issues you

have (strong suck, cracked nipple, mastitis).

 

If you'd like to email me privately, I'd be happy to chat with you

about what has and/or hasn't worked for me. I'm just one of the many

on this list who has breastfed a baby or two. My third just weaned

himself (wahhhh!!!) two weeks after his first birthday. For the

last seven years, I've been either pregnant and/or lactating for all

but 17 months. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do with meself

now. LOL

 

Best wishes to you!

Lisa

[Guest guest]

Hi Debra,

 

Great to hear that you are in healing mode. I am glad you got to root of

all the problems and maybe now you can begin to have an enjoyable

experience breastfeeding little Owen.

 

I don't know what to tell about the super sucking ability he has *lol*

I'm rooting for ya though

 

My little one must be going through a big developmental spurt cause he's

been cranky, not sleeping very well at night (but taking LONG naps

during the days, except yesterday when he didn't nap at all) and he

wants to nurse a lot more than normal .. those silly babies <grinz>

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

 

 

 

Debra McDuffee [deb]

Tuesday, December 28, 2004 2:59 PM

 

OT: breastfeeding help -- update

 

 

Thanks so much to everyone who sent their advice, both on and off list,

to

me to help get me healed and enjoying breastfeeding. Unfortunately, I

am

just recovering from my 2nd round of mastitis, which I came down with

Christmas Eve, needless to say a 102 degree fever does nothing for

holiday

enjoyment! But I have talked with my local LLL leader and also a

lactation

consultant. I will be starting all purpose nipple ointment to heal the

cracks, b/c the mastitis will have a way to keep coming back in if I

don't.

Not thrilled about the drugs, but at least they are topical. I have

also

been diagnosed with nipple vasospasms, which are not fun, but certainly

explain my weird pain. If you don't know what they are, this phenomenon

makes for interesting reading:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/nipple-blanching.html

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBJulAug99p120.html

I do pump occasionally (2-3 times a day) to give the left breast a rest

(still opening up that crack) and to relieve the right breast from

super-fullness. Owen will take a bottle no problem, so at least we

aren't

dealing with nipple confusion on top of everything else.

My midwife says the next step is to get my little chomper to stop

chomping!

Even though we have a good latch, he is such a strong sucker that his

entire

mouth is one big suck blister -- not just the tip of his top lip like

most

babies. After feedings, my nipple sometimes comes out of his mouth flat

b/c

he sucks so hard. Anyone have any advice for this? I know certain

positions help certain people, and right now we are doing football and

cross

cradle b/c it is easy for me to see his latch and also b/c those

positions

help me drain the clogged ducts the best.

Again, any nursing words of wisdom are most appreciated, and I'll

continue

to update you all. At least I see the light at the end of the tunnel

now,

and I am feeling pretty proud of myself for not quitting yet!

 

Thanks!

Debbie

deb

http://www.debrasrhapsody.com