Okay just a warning if hearing about breastfeeding is too much information for you, stop reading now.
Breastfeeding is a beast! I've seen a lactation consultant multiple times while in the hospital and four times since then and still no relief. Three of those times since we have been home I've just gone to the breastfeeding bunch to get some help and make sure our hold and latch is good and it has been and she's been getting plenty of milk. But it still feels like I'm being bitten over and over again and makes me want to cuss multiple times a feeding. Finally yesterday when I dropped Thomas off at work I went directly to the lactation consultants' office and dropped in for help.
One problem is that my let down is so strong she is getting just a ton of milk at one time and it's hard for her to keep up. So the LC suggested when I am feeding her at home to recline so that gravity is working for me rather than against me. That seems to help a bit. But the other problem is this clicking sound she makes as she is sucking which is kind of like her latching and unlatching continuously throughout the feeding, which hurts like a b****. Sorry but that really is how strongly it hurts. Apparently this problem could be caused by her jaw being too tight which happens when you have a long labor and just from the whole trauma they experience coming out. So I was referred to a physical therapist who specializes in helping breastfeeding moms and their babies and who does craniosacral therapy. Normally I guess this therapist has weekend office hours, except of course this weekend and this past Friday because nobody is in the office and she isn't answering her cell phone. And since we are going out of town on Tuesday I am desperate!! I'm seriously praying that she calls first thing Monday morning because I'm hurting so bad and NEED help.
I called the LC again today to see if there are any other PT's that work doing this kind of thing in the area and she didn't know of anybody.
I feel so bad that I am not enjoying breastfeeding because I really want to. I love the closeness with my baby and being able to give her the best thing for her but I hate that I am silently cussing in my head the whole time and just hoping she finishes soon so the pain ends. Breaks my heart.
Oh Linds I will pray that things get better for you! I know your pain :( Either way Brooklyn is so lucky to have you as her momma!
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The same thing happened to me this time breastfeeding my second baby. She was doing the clicking thing too, which was her latching and unlatching and it hurt like heck. I would cry through feedings. And same thing I went in to the lactation consultant multiple times and her latch was fine. She ended up seeing a specialist doctor from children's hospital because they suspected she had a posterior tongue tie (common symptoms are the clicking and tight mouth). Maybe you could have somebody check for that if they haven't already? It was instant relief for me after we got it taken care of. Hang in there. I was never prepared for how rough breastfeeding would be. I hope things get better soon!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried using a nipple shield? They have them at target. That saved me when it was really painful, and might help her latch on better.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried using a pump to help with the let down? I did that for a while. I would pump just until I could feel the milk coming and then stop and let that really fast milk come out. Then I would nurse. It was annoying but did help and eventually things got under control and I didn't have to do it anymore! Good luck. No one tells you how difficult/painful breastfeeding can be!
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