At the end of my rope

I really need help/advise. My baby is 5 weeks old today and we breastfeed with a nipple shield because my nipples are soft and are difficult for her to latch on to properly. She has done it a few times with out the shield, but never stayed on longer than a few min. My pp recovery has been difficult. Had a repeat c section with no complications and that was fine, but got mastitis a week later that turned into a mass on my right breast that had to be aspirated. Thought things were getting better after 3 rounds of different antibiotics, but got a fever and had pain in my c section area so went to the ER. I got antibiotics and a ton of different tests done to rule a bunch of stuff out. The Dr is thinking it's still my mastitis and I'm on antibiotics again to hopefully kill this off. Now what I'm getting at is my baby will not have a full feed at my breast. She can be so hungry, and start feeding, but then stops after a few min and just soothes on me. That can be ok, except she freaks out after I take her off because she realizes she hungry. And this cycle continues. She will only have a full feed from a bottle (breastmilk). I'm sitting here crying, feeling defeated after going through so much mentally and physically, and now she won't breastfeed. I don't know what to do.

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COMMENT (9)

Ke

Posted at
I would highly advise that you see a lactation consultant who can watch your baby nurse and give you more specific advise. I have just started going pretty regularly for check ups because my daughter is a lazy eater. What she’s actually intaking is less that what I’ll pump (which is the opposite of what’s supposed to happen haha). There were women there with similar difficulties. One had a shield and was working with latching. One has a clogged duct. I’m going for weigh checks. Etc... Also, I feel like more mommas need to hear this, but if you choose not to breastfeed because it’s too much and your mental well being is declining.. that’s okay!! Babies thrive off of formula! If you choose to exclusively pump and bottle feed, that’s okay too! But if you really want to breast feed, then I think a LC is your best bet! Hang in there!

Em

EmiliaM • Jul 22, 2019
Thank you for your support. I'll definitely go see a lactation consultant!

Ag

Posted at
Do you have a professional you can see? Does your baby have a tongue tie maybe?

Em

EmiliaM • Jul 22, 2019
I checked for that after she was born and she doesn't have a tongue or lip tie from what I can see. I did see a lactation consultant a few days pp and everything was good, but I'll make another appt. Thank you for responding

SD

Posted at
Have you seen a lactation consultant? Definitely get baby checked for tongue/lip ties. We were experiencing similar latch issues and found a tongue tie at 6 weeks old after much breastfeeding frustration. Good luck!!

Em

EmiliaM • Jul 23, 2019
I just found an upper lip tie! I had no idea to check the upper lip. I'm making an appt with her dr asap!

SD

SDO • Jul 22, 2019
Nurses, LC and even a pediatrician looked for the tongue tie and it wasn’t until we went to see an ENT specialist that our baby’s posterior tongue tie was discovered. Since it’s been released breastfeeding has definitely improved!

Em

EmiliaM • Jul 22, 2019
Thank you! I don't see any ties, but I'll definitely have a lactation consultant check and help me.

Ni

Posted at
Look into poke root for the mastisis