h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

When I was feeding t'boy it was difficult because he fed non-stopb and was sick and screaming and in pain. Was hoping it would be better this time, and it sort of is. T'Other feeds for about 20-30 minutes every three hours which would be great except that it is excruciating while he is feeding and merely painful between feeds.

Really thought at least this part would be easier this time! Going to the doctor shortly, hoping it is just thrush which though painful, can be treated. Other options are poor latch (his isn't great but have seen several bf councellors and improved it yet the pain is worse), or that he has tongue-tie. The former option is now unfixable as have done what i can already. The latter would mean a cut in my baby's mouth if we fix it Otherwise I'm going to have to give up as I can't be weeping through every feed.

Seems I really am rubbish at having and feeding children!

you are so not rubbish at having children - as your two healthy boys show.



Some people just don't get into breastfeeding despite their best intentions and hopes, and they shouldn't feel bad about it. Frankly there is too much other stuff in motherhood to worry about.

Have you spoken to the Midwife? Or maybe... hmm, what are they called? Some breastfeeding league?

I must admit that we didn't have many bf problems - apart from repeated mastitis because I apparently produced more milk than a dairy herd and spent a lot of the summer of 1998 with frozen cabbage leaves stuffed down my bra.

Hope you get some sensible help from the
Is it just one side or both sides causing problems?

And I echo what Sho said ... You are so NOT rubbish at this baby stuff. It's tiring, difficult and sometimes painful. It's astonishing that any of us do it more than once

Kelli, millions of people have been bottle fed rather than breast fed and haven't suffered from it. Including me. Your well-being is important, too.

What everyone else said

And if it *is* a case of tongue-tie, my cousin, who was born when I was 15, so I remember quite a bit, had tongue-tie the entire length of his tongue, and seemed to recover really quickly from the surgery. Seemed to heal faster than the circumcision, actually...

Thanks everyone

Dr thinks it is thrush and given me some stuff. Really hope it clears up fast and am glad it isn't just me being rubbish at getting him into the right position. Also glad t'Other doesn't need surgery, poor little man.

If there was any justice we'd have got a much easier ride this time - am hoping that the fates are saving up my good stuff and will give me two dream teenagers

*wishes for edit button*
Adding: Hyp, I'm far too lazy to bottle feed - it sounds like far too much work. Breastfeeding, when it is going normally, is by far the easiest and most convenient way to feed a baby - no bottles/teats to steralise, no getting up to boil the kettle in the middle of the night and then waiting for it to cool a bit then making the formula then letting it cool a bit more, no having to make sure I have got enough of the right stuff when we go out, no having to warm bottles. I've always got the right stuff at the right temperature if I'm doing it myself.

I just need it to not ing hurt so much!

You forgot to mention that it's free, as well Well, unless you have to buy new nursing bras and whatnot, but that's a one-time purchase anyhow.

Amy, that is J's reason for wanting me to succeed, and why he has been encouraging me to stay away from formula this past week...

Not to mention the extra calories one passes along to the munchkin rather than to one's thighs. Ah, those were the days.

I hope the medication does the trick for you, Kelli.

Ouch. Thrush is nasty nasty

I hope you both get rid of it v soon.

How are things now?

More painful, and t'Other is having hs 6 week growth spurt feeding frenzy. How long 'til tyhis cream starts to work? Dr said to come back in 10 days but don't think i'll last that long without a hint of getting better

Sorry to hear that
Is t'Other receiving some sort of treatment too?

I know some people experiencing this sort of problem use a nipple shield to help them past the worst of the pain - but am not sure if it would be of much use in your situation. There can be later problems getting the baby to do without it - and, of course, you have to set up a mini-sterilising unit to deal with it between feeds.

Is there a breastfeeding counsellor you could discuss this with? I can't remember if you've contacted La Leche or NCT - but both organisations can offer good advice.

Between all this pain - and the lack of sleep, you're not having a very good time of it just now.
But - it will get better. Honest!

You've probably found this already - but just in case ...
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/thrush.html

And you can email or phone them
http://www.laleche.org.uk/pages/about/helpline.htm

Or there's support/advice available here too
http://www.nct.org.uk/info-centre/helplines

Apologies if I'm posting stuff you're already aware of

Kelli, I hope you're feeling more pain-free soon; meds/creams are SO annoying when they don't provide quicker relief!

You're a great mum, and you'll get through this!

The thrush is back and timed to perfection to coincide with the 12 week growth spurt so have had no sleep for a few days, and constant feeding which is excruciating. *sigh*

how are things?