The Breast Feeding Support Thread

Neady83 · 30-06-2020 02:03PM

I'm not sure if you will be able to get it made up where you are but APNO cream is amazing. It really helped me to heal and I had tried everything. You need to get a prescription from your doctor and get a pharmacy to mix it for you. It's known the world over so hopefully you can get it made up where you are based. https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/breastfeeding/all-about-apno/

Millem · 30-06-2020 02:17PM

Wuffly how is the latch? I am not a fan of pumping myself tbh. Double the work and exhausting. You probably know this but you don’t need to sterilise breast pump and bottles etc for breast milk.

wuffly · 30-06-2020 03:47PM

I had apno cream last time, I’ll try and get a prescription. Hopefully I can get it here.
I’ve no cuts or bleeding just feeling raw from all the feeding & pumping. Once he’s gaining enough weight I won’t be pumping. I really want to avoid formula if I can as I feel that’s where I went wrong last time. At least this way my supply should go up as well. I hope.
I’ve seen 4 lactation consultants (1 in the hospital & there’s been a different one each time I’ve been to baby clinic) all watched a feed & said the latch was perfect. All said it will just take a bit of time & I prob still have pain/soreness from the infection & thrush.
Thanks for all the advice. Had hoped it would be settling down a month in, but hopefully on the right track.

Millem · 30-06-2020 04:13PM

wuffly wrote: »

I had apno cream last time, I’ll try and get a prescription. Hopefully I can get it here.
I’ve no cuts or bleeding just feeling raw from all the feeding & pumping. Once he’s gaining enough weight I won’t be pumping. I really want to avoid formula if I can as I feel that’s where I went wrong last time. At least this way my supply should go up as well. I hope.
I’ve seen 4 lactation consultants (1 in the hospital & there’s been a different one each time I’ve been to baby clinic) all watched a feed & said the latch was perfect. All said it will just take a bit of time & I prob still have pain/soreness from the infection & thrush.
Thanks for all the advice. Had hoped it would be settling down a month in, but hopefully on the right track.

Have you tried a nipple shield for a bit of relief?

wuffly · 01-07-2020 02:41PM

Got out the silver cups, big difference! Thanks for the advice. They did nothing for me last time, Weigh in tomorrow so hopefully all this feeding & pumping is working ðŸ€ž

jaja321 · 01-07-2020 03:08PM

wuffly wrote: »

Got out the silver cups, big difference! Thanks for the advice. They did nothing for me last time, Weigh in tomorrow so hopefully all this feeding & pumping is working ðŸ€ž

That's brill. Delighted for you. They were a lifesaver for me!

Dahdum · 22-08-2020 01:00PM

Hi all, has anyone any tips or recommendations for unblocking milk ducts? Think I have mastitis is one breast - not infected tho (no fever, chills etc)

Breast is swollen and hard in parts - been like this since Thursday night. So far I’ve been trying cold and warm compresses, warm hot water bottle, massage and silicon pump but at most I’m only getting 30 mls at a time. I’ve continued feeding from this breast too. A hot shower is my next port of call.

Anyone any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Digs · 22-08-2020 01:18PM

I used to constantly get blocked ducts. Have you tried dangle feeding (I’m not sure if that’s even the right term!!? Always felt like a twit doing it but worked a treat between gravity and baby doing its thing. Lie baby down and hover over them on all fours, boob to baby and let them feed. Much easier with a younger baby not on the move.

Dahdum · 22-08-2020 01:26PM

Digs- brill, will give that a go - fingers crossed! Thanks a mil for the suggestion.

Millem · 22-08-2020 01:31PM

I second what digs has said.
Dangle feed. I needed an electric pump tbh to unblock in general as I used to get them a fair amount especially when I went back to work.
Also have shower first and try and press down on lump and press down on lump when you feed.

Minier81 · 22-08-2020 01:37PM

Always feed from that breast first til it clears. The dangle feed is good if you can manage it, also try to rub the area while baby feeds in any position. Hope it clears soon. I had a blocked duct once at about 10 weeks old and it lasted a few days, thankfully never had mastitis. Feed, feed, feed!!

Aveen · 29-08-2020 10:41AM

Hey, so my little lady, is over 3 weeks, has slight tongue tie. Slight crack nipples (l>r), not painful to feed. I've been working on her latch which has improved, still not 100%. Only feed max for 10mins sometimes less.

Where best in Dublin to have tongue tie snipped in Dublin?

Any advise? C
Going to try shields, nipple are inverted at times

Millem · 29-08-2020 11:25AM

Aveen wrote: »

Hey, so my little lady, is over 3 weeks, has slight tongue tie. Slight crack nipples (l>r), not painful to feed. I've been working on her latch which has improved, still not 100%. Only feed max for 10mins sometimes less.

Where best in Dublin to have tongue tie snipped in Dublin?

Any advise? C
Going to try shields, nipple are inverted at times

http://tonguetieclinic.ie/

Dr O Reilly was recommended to me by the paediatrician if we needed it snipped.
If you add your baby onto your health insurance you can claim it back.

We don’t need it snipped and paediatrician reckons it will stretch itself out.

Have you seen a lactation consultant. I wouldn’t get bogged down in the 10 mins feeding. Count the nappies and look at weight gain.

Aveen · 29-08-2020 12:08PM

Millem wrote: »

http://tonguetieclinic.ie/

Dr O Reilly was recommended to me by the paediatrician if we needed it snipped.
If you add your baby onto your health insurance you can claim it back.

We don’t need it snipped and paediatrician reckons it will stretch itself out.

Have you seen a lactation consultant. I wouldn’t get bogged down in the 10 mins feeding. Count the nappies and look at weight gain.

Thank you.
We're having average 8-10 wet nappies and 3-4 dirty nappies. Weigh gain is happening. Both PHN & GP say tongue tie is slight.
PHN offer to review latch, may ask her to do this first.

Millem · 29-08-2020 12:33PM

Aveen wrote: »

Thank you.
We're having average 8-10 wet nappies and 3-4 dirty nappies. Weigh gain is happening. Both PHN & GP say tongue tie is slight.
PHN offer to review latch, may ask her to do this first.

Dr o Reilly is a lactation consultant too. Maybe no harm booking a consultation if it’s causing you worry.
Receipt is written as GP so check out your health insurance. My kids get 75% back.

I really wouldn’t take any notice of how long baby feeds for tbh. I had to pump the other day as was very full. In 2 minutes I pumped 2oz. The length of time means nothing.

If your baby is content I am sure everything is fine

It’s super early days and she is still only learning

Your PHN will call to your house if you ask.

Aveen · 05-09-2020 04:12PM

Update PHN nurse was out all good with latch, good weight gain. Great days feeding, which helped with the back to school week.

But today I have mastitis on my left side, what can I do? I'm taking painnrelieft, had hot shower, getting baby to drink for that side. Will it go by itself or will I need antiboditic?

SmallgirlBigcity · 05-09-2020 04:16PM

Aveen wrote: »

Update PHN nurse was out all good with latch, good weight gain. Great days feeding, which helped with the back to school week.

But today I have mastitis on my left side, what can I do? I'm taking painnrelieft, had hot shower, getting baby to drink for that side. Will it go by itself or will I need antiboditic?

Hi Aveen, sorry to hear you have mastitis, its an awful thing to have. I've had it twice. If you get a fever then you should go to the doctor for the antibiotic. Otherwise, keep doing what you're doing. I massaged it a lot and got baby to feed from it a lot and I made sure I got loads of rest. Hope this helps and hope you feel better soon!

Millem · 05-09-2020 04:39PM

Aveen wrote: »

Update PHN nurse was out all good with latch, good weight gain. Great days feeding, which helped with the back to school week.

But today I have mastitis on my left side, what can I do? I'm taking painnrelieft, had hot shower, getting baby to drink for that side. Will it go by itself or will I need antiboditic?

Do you think it’s defo mastitis or do you think it could be milk stasis or clogged duct. If it’s defo mastitis I would go to doc and get an antibiotic.

If it’s milk stasis or clogged duct I would try my best to rectify before it turns into mastitis!! Feed, rest, empty breast.
Feed as often as possible. Don’t neglect other side though!!
Gently massage the breast to help with drainage when your baby is sucking on that side. Avoid a tight bra. Drink loads of water.

I was in the horrors myself this week and had to pump too. I would never usually pump but it was the middle of the night and I was sore!!

Pocos · 05-09-2020 04:48PM

Aveen wrote: »

Update PHN nurse was out all good with latch, good weight gain. Great days feeding, which helped with the back to school week.

But today I have mastitis on my left side, what can I do? I'm taking painnrelieft, had hot shower, getting baby to drink for that side. Will it go by itself or will I need antiboditic?

Pretty much what everyone else has said!! Feed feed feed or pump a lot from that breast! If there’s redness around the blocked duct?

I had mastitis on my first and I felt like I had a really bad case of the flu! Aches, pains, nauseous and very weak!!!! So I got antibiotic and within 24 hours felt like a new woman!!!

Best of luck with it

Aveen · 05-09-2020 05:00PM

SmallgirlBigcity wrote: »

Hi Aveen, sorry to hear you have mastitis, its an awful thing to have. I've had it twice. If you get a fever then you should go to the doctor for the antibiotic. Otherwise, keep doing what you're doing. I massaged it a lot and got baby to feed from it a lot and I made sure I got loads of rest. Hope this helps and hope you feel better soon!

Thank you, I feel chills but no temp, I'll drop GP email for antiboditic, she great for communicating this way.

I'll try to rest, hubby working all weekend

Aveen · 05-09-2020 05:24PM

Millem wrote: »

Do you think it’s defo mastitis or do you think it could be milk stasis or clogged duct. If it’s defo mastitis I would go to doc and get an antibiotic.

If it’s milk stasis or clogged duct I would try my best to rectify before it turns into mastitis!! Feed, rest, empty breast.
Feed as often as possible. Don’t neglect other side though!!
Gently massage the breast to help with drainage when your baby is sucking on that side. Avoid a tight bra. Drink loads of water.

I was in the horrors myself this week and had to pump too. I would never usually pump but it was the middle of the night and I was sore!!

I don't know for sure, I'm tired & have chills on/off. Woke up for night feed with horrible pain, she did do 6 hour stretch. I'll keep trying to self recovery first, not keen for antiboditic unless needs must.

PhoenixParker · 05-09-2020 08:34PM

I would get the prescription at least.

Nothing worse than feeling like death warmed up and trying to track down a doctor, get a prescription and then get it filled, especially when you're also in charge of a tiny baby.

You don't have to take (or even buy) the antibiotics if you don't think its necessary but with how quick mastitis hits and how nasty it can be I'd start the process now.

Aveen · 06-09-2020 02:00AM

PhoenixParker wrote: »

I would get the prescription at least.

Nothing worse than feeling like death warmed up and trying to track down a doctor, get a prescription and then get it filled, especially when you're also in charge of a tiny baby.

You don't have to take (or even buy) the antibiotics if you don't think its necessary but with how quick mastitis hits and how nasty it can be I'd start the process now.

Thanks will look tomorrow, I have VHI with o line to will call them tomorrow

Aveen · 06-09-2020 09:21PM

Hey ladies, felt much better today, went to bed extra early (after sleeping on the couch too). Anyway, no chills.today, breast not as tender, slight reddness still present but also improved. Going to see how everything is tomorrow.

LillySV · 11-10-2020 01:32PM

Hi folks, my newborn boy is 11 days old and doesn’t seem to be getting enough milk from my breast so I had been supplementing it with bottled formula... which may have upset the supply? He had really damaged the nipples which is why we had started the formula initially. I was thinking about buying an electric pump to increase the supply... any suggestions on which electric pump to get etc?

Millem · 11-10-2020 02:14PM

LillySV wrote: »

Hi folks, my newborn boy is 11 days old and doesn’t seem to be getting enough milk from my breast so I had been supplementing it with bottled formula... which may have upset the supply? He had really damaged the nipples which is why we had started the formula initially. I was thinking about buying an electric pump to increase the supply... any suggestions on which electric pump to get etc?

Is it sore when you breastfeed? Has baby been checked for tongue tie?
Personally I wouldn’t bother with a pump. Ditch the bottles, take to the bed, lots of skin to skin and feed, feed,feed.

Pumping is double the work.
Buy those silver cups for your nipples. I haven’t used them but they are meant to be great. Nipple shields can help if your nipples are damaged or sore.
Best of luck

LillySV · 11-10-2020 05:17PM

Millem wrote: »

Is it sore when you breastfeed? Has baby been checked for tongue tie?
Personally I wouldn’t bother with a pump. Ditch the bottles, take to the bed, lots of skin to skin and feed, feed,feed.

Pumping is double the work.
Buy those silver cups for your nipples. I haven’t used them but they are meant to be great. Nipple shields can help if your nipples are damaged or sore.
Best of luck

One nipple is cracked on top and at base and the other is just cracked at base. They are sore all the time but particularly sore at the start of a feed.

Thanks for your advice ðŸ‘ðŸ»I must try the silver cups
They haven’t checked for tongue tie - I will get this checked.

Millem · 11-10-2020 08:20PM

LillySV wrote: »

One nipple is cracked on top and at base and the other is just cracked at base. They are sore all the time but particularly sore at the start of a feed.

Thanks for your advice ðŸ‘ðŸ»I must try the silver cups

Oh gosh they must be sore. I have used a nipple shield in the past to give my nipples a break and the purple cream.

Is the baby latching correctly?

bee06 · 11-10-2020 08:41PM

The silver cups are magic. Pumping will never be as effective as your baby at removing the milk which in turn will produce more milk (and it’s a pain in the arse). If you can get onto a lactation consultant (make sure they are IBCLC registered). Alternatively Cuidiu have BF counsellors you can contact for free. You don’t have to contact one in your area and if one doesn’t respond move onto another one as they are volunteers and busy mothers.
https://www.cuidiu.ie/supports_breastfeeding_counsellors

LillySV · 11-10-2020 09:54PM

Millem wrote: »

Oh gosh they must be sore. I have used a nipple shield in the past to give my nipples a break and the purple cream.

Is the baby latching correctly?

One was cracked before he was born so that’s part of the problem. I got APNO cream from the pharmacist and that has helped a lot.
I think the latch is ok but I do find it very hard to get enough areola into his mouth.

The Breast Feeding Support Thread

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