Problems with breastfeeding

If you can't keep feeding, try pumping - use a pump if need be, some places hire them BUT Tesco has the Avent pump on sale just now - w/a nipple shield. 

I got no support from healthcare providers for breastfeeding, either, so this time I've already been in contact w/counsellors from La Leche so I'll know whom to contact if I run into trouble this time round.

I definitely recommend the nipple shields. My nipples were so blistered, they bled.  My midwife suggested trying to use them.  I immediately went out and bought some.  They were a God send!!  I used them until she got the hang of sucking, then eventually ventured her off of them.  It worked.  She has absolutely no problems now.

Just a word of advice, like I said earlier, the blisters/soreness are part of your nipples toughening up.

I tend to disagree with this.  Blisters are a sign that there is something wrong - not that your nipples aren't tough enough.  Generally, blisters occur due to a bad latch.  Instead of accepting this pain as part of breastfeeding, the mother (and I'm not speaking directly to Carly here, but generalizing) should do what she can to fix what is causing the blisters.  While, yes, it can cause soreness at times, it should never leave a permanent mark such as a blister or broken skin.

I'm not trying to start an argument, but just wanted to voice my opinion.  I'm not a lactation expert, just someone who realized almost too late that you don't have to breastfeed with constant pain.

I tend to disagree with this. Blisters are a sign that there is something wrong - not that your nipples aren't tough enough. Generally, blisters occur due to a bad latch. Instead of accepting this pain as part of breastfeeding, the mother (and I'm not speaking directly to Carly here, but generalizing) should do what she can to fix what is causing the blisters. While, yes, it can cause soreness at times, it should never leave a permanent mark such as a blister or broken skin.

I'm not trying to start an argument, but just wanted to voice my opinion. I'm not a lactation expert, just someone who realized almost too late that you don't have to breastfeed with constant pain.

 I totally agree.   Having soreness or a cracked  nipple is one thing, but blisters are something totally different.   
   The baby needs to take not only the nipple but of part of the areola into their mouth as well,when feeding.  Not doing this can result in blistering, among other things.
   There is this great nipple cream from , lansinoh (it's Lanolin cream and you can find it at Boots or Waitrose) and Soothies or Hydrogel Pads are a must for cracked and bleeding nipples.
   The object is to keep the nipple moist yet dry, sounds difficult I know but you can do it.

Good point about the bad latch, and also about the blisters. I did find though that there was a period of adjustment to the (at the start what seems like) constant sucking and your nipples do need to toughen up. At least, that's how it was explained to me, and the soreness did go away around about two weeks as promised by the midwife, once my body/nipples had adjusted to the change in use. So it is good to ask your midwife/health visitor/breastfeeding support group or lactation counselor about this too for help.

Constant pain is not good, and like Fun Girl says is possibly a sign something isn't right (most likely the latch) but you will when starting out get that toe-curling pain when baby latches on - that does go away after a couple weeks and pain should not be constant throughout the feed.

So do what you can to ease the pain, nipple creams and shields can and do help, as does expressing a bit of milk and rubbing it around the nipple;

Check the baby's latch, a bad latch will cause problems for you both and a good latch will make things a lot better

Cold compresses (a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in towel will do in a pinch, or put some frozen veg in a sandwich bag, wrap in some cloth and stick it in your bra) and warm showers are good for pain relief;

Paracetemol is ok to use while breastfeeding;

It will get better and does get better as you go along!

   There is this great nipple cream from , lansinoh (it's Lanolin cream and you can find it at Boots or Waitrose)

Lansinoh saved my life!  That stuff is faaaaabulous.

I have to chuckle only because this thread reminds me of a clinic day I had to do at one of the clinics ...so I had to sit in on one of the breastfeeding sessions...it was a room with a small circle of new mums topless massaging their breasts (they were learning how to bring down the milk )...in any other situation blokes would pay top dollar for that sort of image

I have to chuckle only because this thread reminds me of a clinic day I had to do at one of the clinics ...so I had to sit in on one of the breastfeeding sessions...it was a room with a small circle of new mums topless massaging their breasts (they were learning how to bring down the milk )...in any other situation blokes would pay top dollar for that sort of image

LOL,