Reading blogs and mothering forums, it seems that many mothers have a rocky start to breastfeeding. But not only was there the problems I had in hospital with feeding C enough, at about 3-4 weeks I started getting intense pain in my nipple when C latched on. It slowly got worse, to the point where the pain would make me gasp audibly when C latched on and the pain would continue on for up to a minute on the start of feeding from each side.
The help we’ve been given with this has made me realise why we paid a big lump sum of money to my OB. I’ve been in several times to see the midwives at the clinic and OB at no cost. At first the OB diagnosed me with thrush on my breasts and prescribed me with anti-fungal tablets to take myself and drops to give to C. After 2 weeks the medication wasn’t doing anything and the symptoms were showing now signs of easing up. I called the OB and she told me to take another round of tablets and continue C with the drops. I showed up to the pharmacy with the old bottle of drops to get more and the pharmacist gave me the third degree as to how old C is, why I was giving her so much medication and that I should see my doctor again to confirm that I did actually have thrush.
I went back to the midwives and the OB who suggested that after 3 weeks and no signs of improvement that it could be Raynaud’s (or vasospasms). So now I’m on different medication, as well as putting a hot pack on my breasts before feeds and trying to keep them as warm as possible. It’s been a week now and while it’s still painful, it no longer feels like someone is using a blunt knife to remove my nipples.
Now I just have to work out how to stop C from choking when I feed her from the right side. Seems my flow is just too strong and she can’t drink fast enough.
Claudia feeding and telling everyone to go away with a simple finger gesture
September 9, 2011 at 4:48 pm
I had a (and still do) fast let down. The ABA hotline is really helpful! Glad the pain subsided somewhat.
September 9, 2011 at 10:37 pm
omg, that is the funniest picture ever!
so sorry to hear about the pain, that sounds miserable. good for you for pushing through and trying to find solutions.
September 10, 2011 at 12:08 am
breastfeeding is tough! so many people make it sounds like it is the easiest thing ever and i just don’t think that is the case for most people. hope things improve for you both! great pic!
September 10, 2011 at 7:43 am
me, too, on the reynaud’s, and i am SO SORRY. very glad you’re getting treatment — was pulling teeth to get anything here. nifedipine had really helped me. i still get spasms if i pump, but i’m able to nurse with no pain now if i avoid the pump.
feel free to email if you want to talk dosages, etc. — i did a fair amount of research and am happy to share citations. drives me crazy how little is out there about this problem.
bionicmamas at gmail.
September 10, 2011 at 11:48 am
also, and i’m sure i’m biased, but for the record: i think reynaud’s is genuinely worse than most breastfeeding problems. it’s horrible being in pain so often, especially when it is worst right when you’re having to do something difficult (breastfeeding). i really hope you can get to a place where it doesn’t hurt at all; i often think it would have been more rational for me to have stopped altogether during the period that i was untreated. i’m glad i didn’t have to, but i did a much better job of mothering in general once i wasn’t in pain, and to some degree i felt more regret (for lost time, misery, and not-awesome behavior) than triumph.