Just about ready to give up :( - Have to rant - this still isn't fun :P

KatieLeigh79 wrote: Well the little guy is a month old today (was going to get pictures taken but he decided to scratch his face up last night so that gets put on hold yet again but its beside the point..) Between the seperation, the incorrect latch on, the drying up that i have tried and taken everything under the sun for, the damage he did to my nipples and the frustration he still seems to get when we try as well as the $1000+ we spent to make this work because DH is persistant about it, im now waiting for the Dr. to call me back to get me in because i believe i have an infection in them both now - i was told that isnt common, but they are both feeling as they are on fire, hard in spots, sore as all get out - its to the point of tears when he tries or i try to pump, not to mention im getting very little when i try it because of whatever is going on - does this ever get any easier? We have a chance as a couple to go out without the little monster in a few weeks but its probably going to be put on hold for the fact he doesn't want the supply to dry up when i keep wondering if it wouldn't just be so much easier - then to top off everything from today AF decided to show up as well - go figure i didn't think i would get that lucky ... any advice or should i just throw in the towel and let him get mad - he so bad wants to be able to say we "gave JR the best for milk etc" but i feel now like im feeding a paranah and aside from him still not sleeping more then 15 mins a night it seems i almost dread when he puts his hands in his mouth to show he is hungry because i know how bad its going to hurt...

Okay off my little rant i have to try and wake him up or else i won't even get my 15 tonight because he has been trying to sleep all day again...

Schnoogly replied: I'm so sorry you're having so much trouble! It really does get better! You're at the worst part right now--for me it started to get a lot better around 6 weeks. And now it's a piece of cake. I had thrush too--man did that hurt! I hope you can get your infection cleared up. Are you feeding any formula right now? It might help with your supply, once you get the infection taken care of, to slowly decrease the amount of formula so your breasts will make more milk.

Also, the only thing that has worked for me is to take domperidone, a reflux drug that has the side effect of increasing prolactin. Separation killed my milk supply too! It isn't normally available in the states but I get mine (w/o a prescription) from a pharmacy in southeast asia, www.ihealth.com. If you want to try it I have TONS and I could send you a couple dozen pills. It gave me about twice as much milk with no side effects. I take 3 pills 3x a day. It took about 3 days to see the increase.

Don't give up! Not only is breast milk better for your baby, as he gets older it will be SO much easier--no washing of bottles, warming of formula. And you will save money! It is really hard right now I know--it took 6 weeks for us to really get it right. By 2 months though he was a pro and it didn't hurt so much. Give it a couple more weeks, at least until you get the infection cleared up.

Steph

Here's a link on domperidone in case you want to know more
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/domperidone_01-03.html

amynicole21 replied: Ohhh, I so remember being where you are. The first few weeks are so tough. Trust me, if you can get through this, you will not regret the decision you have made. Please read this post I read today on PP - it's truly inspiring...
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/mes...ump&msg=37298.1

If you think it's tough nursing him all night long, just imagine having to get up, fix a bottle, warm it up to the right temp, etc. Have you tried co-sleeping? I don't even wake up when Sophia wants to nurse now. She's 9mos old and still wakes up once or twice a night, but it doesn't bother me.

Your supply will not dry up in a few hours if you want to go out. Go, enjoy yourself! You are probably not pumping very much either because you need to r~e~l~a~x or there won't be a let down. Take a bubble bath, drink a cup of tea, breathe deeply and slow down for a while. You can do this! I can't tell you how rewarding bfeeding is! Just stick with it a little while longer, trust me!

Also, have you tried a pacifier? He may be comfort nursing and just wanting to suck. Some people don't like them, but I have found that they are a lifesaver!!

Please, know that it does get easier. You're doing great!

Kaitlin'smom replied: I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. I really dunno what to say but I you for trying this long. I would say dont give up, but you have to decide whats right for you. I know it did hurt for a while, then it was okay then I would have one side get sore again, but it has gotten sooo easy now. I love it, curling up with her is so nice. I hope you can get some answers and they can help you. If it does not work out then at least you gave it your best shot! Big hug to you!

Hillbilly Housewife replied: I can feel your pain... literally. I had SOOO many problems bfeeding Zach...and I gave up on it. Looking back, I wish I had known the things I know now... your choice is your choice, but I wish I could have breasfed longer. I lasted until about 9 weeks.

MommyToAshley replied: HUGS TO YOU!

I am soo sorry you are having such a hard time. It was a little rough with Ashley in the beginning, but it got better. I can only imagine being separated and then trying to increase your milk supply again.

Here is a good link on increasing milk suppy if you haven't already read it:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/index.html

Also, make sure you get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. I know what you are thinking...how are you suppose to rest??!!?? Maybe your Mom or DH can take him for a few hours so you can rest. It really does help your supply!

I think you have done a terrific job hanging in there. Maybe try seeing a LC instead of the doctor? I found the LC to be a lot more helpful, and the consultation with the LC in our hospital was free of charge.

If at the end, you decide you want to give it up, no one is going to judge you. You have to do what is best for you and your family. But, if I were you, I would make sure it is definitely what you want to do because as you can see, it is difficult to go back once you stopped BF.

MamaMartie replied: I am so sorry you're having such a rough time. You sound so worn out! You've been through a lot, you're tired, sore,and AF comes for a visit. That would overwhelm anyone.

I know 2 weeks sounds like forever, but it does get easier after 6 weeks. If you can stick it out another 2 weeks of so, you'll probably have an easier time of it. If you can't do it, then you can't. You've put a lot of effort into Bfing and you should be very proud of yourself.

I hope things get easier soon!

Hugs,

KatieLeigh79 replied: Well the Dr. had more bad news for me - i still wonder when it gets better, i have severe mastisis (sp) in both breasts which is uncommon - its partially why im so tired as well it seems ive had a fever of 100-101 for the past week without realizing it and my body is dehydrated - she told me its up to us if we keep trying to BF, i was told until it clears up it will be extreme pain to nurse or pump she said i could try to clear it up faster if i wanted to be admitted into the hospital again - there is no way in heck im going back into the hospital for yet another infection so i guess i will figure it out - i nursed him when we got home, and boy that was so painful it wasn't funny but i guess if i can handle the pain level maybe i should keep going

Guest_Schnoogly replied: Oh no, that's terrible! Mastitis is serious, hope you get better quick! Once that clears up it will be much easier! Can I ask what kind of pump you're using? If it's electric and has adjustable vacuum, try turning it up just to get letdown and then turning it way down. This will help with pain. Also, until your infection gets cleared up, you might consider renting a hospital grade medela pump--it can suck very gently and get more milk out--it was the most comfortable pump for me. You can rent for a week at a time at medical supply places for not a lot of $$.

Also, here is a link on treatments for mastitis that might make you a little more comfortable! I know it hurts, but BFing more frequently will actually help the infection go away sooner--it's the milk stuck in there that makes mastitis worse. Being overly engorged a lot of the time is a main cause of it. The emptier you can keep your breasts the faster it will get better! If you quit right now you're going to get massively engorged and it will probably just make it worse.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/recurr...#usualtreatment

Hugs!
Steph

KatieLeigh79 replied: We actually have the nice hospital "Pump & go breast pump" from the company - i tried to get him to nurse again and it wasnt quite as bad - maybe if i just try and get him to eat a little more often then every 3-4 hours i will have better luck until it clears up. That site is really very helpful though and is already in my favorites folder .

Kaitlin'smom replied: glad to hear it was better this time around. Keep it up it will get better!

msjennbug replied: oh, 4wks is a terribly rough time for bfing. i'm sorry you're having so many difficulties.

a small encouragement for you, at one month, it's not likely your period you've just gotten, but some residual bleeding from birth. hormones gone wacky, a placental "plate" being lost, overdoing it - something - but not an actually period. so, it could be months before you see bleeding again.