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Rubbish supply and needles in nipples!!!
As I couldn't feed Archie when he was on life support I expressed as best I could. Now we're trying to continue but I have 2 probs. Firstly my supply is rubbish and I feel like my boobs are totally empty- he sucks for ages and still cries after as if he's hungry, I know it's supply and demand but I think he's getting tired from all the effort. Secondly it's soooooo painful- feels like I have needles in my nipples and I've not had this before. Any ideas- I don't want to give up especially as he's had such a bad time but don't want him to go hungry either....
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Replies
As for your supply - it might be worth expressing after each feed to help it and offer him a feed as often as possible. Would you be happy topping him up wth formula?
lisa
Archie probably is getting very tired feeding with all he's been through, and it sounds like if he is struggling to get milk from you (cos of poor supply), he is working too hard, and getting knackered- it will be a chicken and egg situation at the moment - your supply is poor as he isnt stimulating enough, yet he cant stimulate as he is knackered!
it may be an idea at the moment to wake him for feeding after a short time lapse - it will be hard for a few days, but when your supply is up, he wont need to be the same.- if he has been going 3-4hrs between feeds, wake him after every 2-3 instead. when he is well, and you are suppling again, you can go back to demand feeding
make sure your nipples are not sore with thrush - this can affect supply too.
although nipple creams and shields are not recommended, they could be worth a try.
in view of your circumstances, you maybe able to get some medication from your GP to boost your supply. usually this is something like Maxolon (metoclopromide).
if you can, i suggest you ring your Trust and see if they have a Lactation Consultant (midwife) that you can see, and she will be able to give you some more advice, and maybe prescribe the drug for you!!
i read your other post -you've had a shocking time, but i am sooooo glad he is back home with you! )
[Modified by: ollier2001 on December 12, 2008 04:55 PM]
Also needles in the boob getting worse, the ends in particular are agony and hurt all the time not just when feeding - I did wonder about thrush but how would I know? He has a clean mouth & bum so don't think he has it.
Just tried expressing as he had sucked R side for about 15 mins and not had L side for a few hours. Nothing from either....
have been at work all night, so sorry if become garbled!!
i'm not sure that resting at the moment would be a good idea- your boobs havent been stimulated well, and your body may think it is time to stop if you dont feed for a few days - it may recognise it as weaning off the boob at this point.
see if Boots / chemist can give you some nystatin drops for your boobs just to stop possibility of thrush
as for topping up, you could do it after any feed, but maybe try cup feeding so he would lap at it instead of getting tired sucking. what you could maybe do to a)give your boobs a rest, b)know he gets a good feed, is just do a one off formula feed.
hope they are better this morning anyway!
xxxxxxxxxx
Last night he fed, cried, fed and cried for 2 hours until we gave him a bottle of formula which he guzzled and went to sleep. Have breast fed all day but offered formula after 2 feeds to ensure he was getting enough and he seems much happier.
Because he went 4 hourds I thought my boobs had filled and the right was REALLY painful so I expressed but only got 3oz. Fed him both sides and then he took the EBM aswell.
Have a hard area on the right side which stays hard when rest goes soft after a feed, so def going to Dr Monday. Don't know whether to admit defeat and get on with bottles or persevere because I know I'll regret not giving my best shot.
Lisa