tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post2416379952253592715..comments2023-11-02T08:09:02.234-04:00Comments on Her Bad Mother: The Boobityville HorrorHer Bad Motherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03535958887714152413noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-7656274895718242782009-04-28T12:24:00.000-04:002009-04-28T12:24:00.000-04:00So, I just came across this post from awhile back....So, I just came across this post from awhile back. I wish I had read this about 4 months ago when my son was 3 weeks old and I was wondering when, if ever, the breastfeeding was supposed to get better. I was so tired of hearing that it doesn't hurt if you do it correctly. I was tired of the lactation consultant telling me I was doing it wrong. I was tired of my husband asking me to please talk to the lactation consultant again because we needed some peace in our house. You know, it took almost three months before it actually got painless. But, here we are and it all works very well now.Katienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-70098773901311494032008-06-29T22:34:00.000-04:002008-06-29T22:34:00.000-04:00We had a really tough time with BF. DS was a preem...We had a really tough time with BF. DS was a preemie and I spent the first month and a half pumping 10-12x per day. I relied on a nipple shield and lots and lots of lanolin helped. I put lanolin on both nips after every feeding and pumping and eventually the girls toughened up and it became much much easier.<BR/>Good luck!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-47107088182490281072008-06-23T07:41:00.000-04:002008-06-23T07:41:00.000-04:00been through it, twice. it really doesn't help whe...been through it, twice. <BR/><BR/>it really doesn't help when the 'experts' and the books all say it doesn't hurt unless you're doing it wrong. <BR/><BR/>i did it right and both times it hurt like hell for the first week or two (i can identify with the pavement analogy). with the first i'd be in tears with terror at the prospect of another feed and with the second the loud gasp i gave every time he latched on made him jump right off and then develop a habit of on-off-on-off that wasn't fun. <BR/><BR/>BUT it soon became sooooooooooo easy that i actually laughed out loud to myself about how ridiculously easy it was and thought incredulously of the poor women dragging their exhausted bodies down to the kitchen, sterilising, preparing, buying, lugging stuff around with them.<BR/><BR/>long term vision, that's what got me through and copious amounts of lansinoh, which i still use as lip balm. wonderful stuff.<BR/><BR/>good luck!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-48554881168272032982008-06-14T12:44:00.000-04:002008-06-14T12:44:00.000-04:00I can absolutely sympathize - my daughter is almos...I can absolutely sympathize - my daughter is almost five weeks old and we are just rounding the bend into "proper latch/less painful nursing" territory. Those first weeks, though? They were brutal.<BR/><BR/>With the help of a nipple shield and some ointment prescribed by a home nurse (it was called "triple nipple cream", if I remember right), I was able to heal up and keep going, but getting myself and baby used to nursing without the nipple shield again was tough. I finally just had to throw it away and cope, because I really, really wanted to nurse skin-to-skin.<BR/><BR/>Since then we've been working on getting a better latch. And lo! We are getting there.Theahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15086041454745467558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-32123283028106010292008-06-13T10:23:00.000-04:002008-06-13T10:23:00.000-04:00Early on in nursing my daughter I found it painful...Early on in nursing my daughter I found it painful so I read a book about breastfeeding. I wish I could remember the title because that way I could warn you to NEVER READ THAT BOOK. It went on and on about how you should never "distort" your nipple by compressing it in any way to get the baby to latch. You could support your breast, but the nipple should always stay round. I learned eventually, after much pain and learning of bad habits by my daughter, that this is contrary to what pretty much every lactation consultant would tell you, which is that you should use a C or U hold on the boob to stuff as much areola into the baby's mouth as possible. <BR/><BR/>Fortunately my week-old son seems to be getting the hang of opening wider right from the beginning so this hasn't been as bad. Sore yes, blistered yes, but bleeding and dark purple bruising? Well, not the former and not a lot of the latter anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-76979184408501121022008-06-10T12:13:00.000-04:002008-06-10T12:13:00.000-04:00Finally weighing in on this, but I've had a great ...Finally weighing in on this, but I've had a great excuse -- I've been busy having a baby and going through the first few days of nursing for myself. I'm inclined to believe, based on this experience (excruciating!) and the last, that a certain amount of pain, and even bleeding, is inevitable. But, last time, I toughed it out and lasted 9 months -- it got a LOT better. So, this time, I'll do the same. <BR/><BR/>BTW, in case no one else posted this, the one thing I did find helpful for bloody nipples was mixing together three over-the-counter creams (this was the advice of a LC): antibiotic cream, hydrocortisone cream and an anti-fungal cream. I don't know which one did the trick, or if it was just the combination, but it helped before. <BR/><BR/>Catherine, I just also wanted to add how great it's been following along behind you in this amazing journey. Your post from today, with the poem and picture, was so beautiful, and I'm right there with you, sentimentality-wise. (I cried the other day while watching a Verizon commercial that showed a women in labor going to the hospital.) Isn't it wonderful?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-78008640492331837002008-06-09T11:33:00.000-04:002008-06-09T11:33:00.000-04:00Wow... I'm only 9 weeks preggers and a friend aske...Wow... I'm only 9 weeks preggers and a friend asked the other day if I'm planning to breastfeed... my answer was that I was planning to try... but holy shit - I think I'm now terrified by all the comments and your post itself... <BR/><BR/>I really hope that the nips heal quickly and that your pain goes away soon... I'm praying for ya!Rustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17912613768193549878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-58275013229723930942008-06-08T22:34:00.000-04:002008-06-08T22:34:00.000-04:00Hi Catherine,I'm sorry, I havent read the 152 comm...Hi Catherine,<BR/>I'm sorry, I havent read the 152 comments before this so I hope not to repeat this suggestion. I gave birth in November 2007 and struggled BADLY with breastfeeding. After an afternoon of having my nipples pulled and twisted by a nurse named Jeanne d'Arc (i kid you not) the night shift gave me silicone nipple shields. Nearly 7 months later I'm still bf'ing thanks to daily use of the shields.<BR/>Bon courage,<BR/>Rachel, MontréalAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-35806931490496157762008-06-07T09:07:00.000-04:002008-06-07T09:07:00.000-04:00Just got back to reading your blog again after so ...Just got back to reading your blog again after so long (been so busy), and I just have to tell you that I've had the same exact experience as you with both my boys (now 6 and 23 months). I've had nipple scabs sucked off and into their hungry mouths, exposing raw skin underneath, and the pain....oh Lordy, the pain! I tried using silicone nipple shields, took to using the breastpump (which worked none too well after the first baby, and hubby had to constantly repair it - electric breastpumps not so abundant here in the Philippines, mine was sent from an aunt in Kansas)... I actually started to dread each every-two-hour breastfeeding demand. There aren't any lactation specialists here, so I'd had to rely on old wives' tales and advice from other moms (who, not surprisingly, never had any problems breastfeeding).<BR/>It took an average of a month or so per baby for the wounds to heal and the discomfort to go away. But by that time, I was back at work (and actually relieved *hits myself over the head for such a thought* that the worse was over and I could safely express milk for their savagely hungry mouths back at home). Peace, sweet nipple peace.<BR/>I really feel your pain, and pray and hope you can get over your PPD safely. For both your sake and your children's. God bless you!Dondi Tipleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01926957237171710368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-6536581517804400662008-06-07T08:06:00.000-04:002008-06-07T08:06:00.000-04:00My son is turning 13 in two weeks and I still reme...My son is turning 13 in two weeks and I still remember the horror that was breastfeeding. I've always had horrifically sensitive breasts anyway, and whenever he latched...oyGOD it was awful. I gave it several weeks to see if it improved, but finally decided that I was probably going to give my son some kind of eating disorder if I continued to scream every time he ate.<BR/><BR/>Never even attempted with my daughter. Straight to bottle. Do not pass GO, do not collect the admiration of the masses. But both of my kids are extremely healthy and strong, and we have a very solid bonding.<BR/><BR/>Reading all this advice, though, I SO wish I had had access to this while it was happening! I felt like a miserable failure because I thought it was just me.markirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13251025210237420959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-21595916800515202632008-06-06T16:17:00.000-04:002008-06-06T16:17:00.000-04:00Nipple sheild. Lansinoh. Get them!Nipple sheild. Lansinoh. Get them!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-29007220198056626842008-06-06T12:35:00.000-04:002008-06-06T12:35:00.000-04:00Hi, I have not read the other comments, so this ma...Hi, I have not read the other comments, so this may have already been suggested. My mom told me this and it really seemed to help. You know how the saliva in your mouth starts to breakdown the food that you are eating? Apparently that goes for nipples too. If you leave the saliva on your nipples affter breastfeeding, it will keep breaking down the skin. Try rinsing your nips after each feeding. I know it is a pain, but it really helps. I would just cup my hand under the faucet and hold a towel under "the girls" and just pour the water over them. I couldn't stand to touch them. Also, put the Lansinoh (or whatever you are using) directly on the pads not on your nips. And repeat: "This too shall pass." <BR/>I don't care what anyone says. My daughter had a great latch. Fabulous, even. And it still HURT LIKE HELL for 6 weeks. But then it was absolutely fine. No pain at all. Seriously. NONE. <BR/>One more tip: try to do something besides focus on breastfeeding. Read a book, pray (that it stops hurting, haha!), etc. Something that requires thinking. Not just staring at the tv.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-13663732954963435752008-06-06T10:59:00.000-04:002008-06-06T10:59:00.000-04:00oh, the pain of it all! What we do for our preciou...oh, the pain of it all! What we do for our precious babies! I had exactly the same thing! Why do we continue - because WE ARE MOTHERS!<BR/>Keep the faith girl, stay positive, keep trying and try not to scream in bloody ass pain!<BR/>It WILL get better!tiarastantrumshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03036618235332598079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-62585551436372559002008-06-05T18:53:00.000-04:002008-06-05T18:53:00.000-04:00Just another voice saying 'I've been there'. And ...Just another voice saying 'I've been there'. And I know you asked for advice, but I suspect you're probably already doing all of the things you're expected to (the lansinoh, the holds, the air-drying, the LC, etc). For some people, myself included, it just ain't easy no matter what you do. I pumped round-the-clock with my son for 9 agonizing months because our latch never got right. If I could do it again, I would try to find a way to live through those first god-awful weeks without pumping, and see if that would help at all with the latch. If there's one thing I learnt from my awful experience, it's that babies with latch problems learn to prefer a bottle to breast, so I wish I hadn't started off with those "escape" bottles, which seemed so much easier at the beginning.<BR/>Anyway, what I wanted to say is that if you can find any reserves to get through this - go for it! It takes a lot of bravery, a lot of strength, and a supportive crew around you. If I were you, I would hire help for the next month or so. Pamper yourself in any spare time you have. Get a helping hand with the newborn, and get someone else to look after your daughter (as much as she will allow it!). I'd pay whatever it takes, personally, budget be damned. These are some of the toughest weeks of your life, so get whatever help you can, and don't regret it. And don't worry about what other mothers of newborns can do -- they have different babies, different situations, and you have to simply find something that works best for you and your family.<BR/>A hug from a regular reader,<BR/>RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-87957148467669582302008-06-05T12:53:00.000-04:002008-06-05T12:53:00.000-04:00Liberal applications of Lansinoh lanolin + breast ...Liberal applications of Lansinoh lanolin + breast shells to keep anything from touching the nipples when not nursing helped me tremendously. I used them for at least the first 4 or 5 weeks, and finally things resolved. But I remember all too clearly how hard it was at first. It's hard. I remember crying hysterically to my husband, "Why can't I be a cow? Nursing is so easy for cows!"<BR/>Hang in there.monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08217204173696335662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-23328755839689073232008-06-04T17:10:00.000-04:002008-06-04T17:10:00.000-04:00as i recall, "Mt Cracktop" (my right nipple) only ...as i recall, "Mt Cracktop" (my right nipple) only got better after a trip to the ocean. i think getting in the salt water helped it to finally heal, where all the other standard remedies and creams did nothing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-53109527503539231642008-06-04T17:06:00.000-04:002008-06-04T17:06:00.000-04:00You know, I tried to read all these comments, but ...You know, I tried to read all these comments, but my breasts started shrinking in remembrance. <BR/><BR/>So I'll just say . . . me too.Jaelithehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12081888212421953409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-18511853634574331882008-06-04T16:46:00.000-04:002008-06-04T16:46:00.000-04:00Me again. Catherine, there are LC's out there who ...Me again. Catherine, there are LC's out there who make home visits (I'm one of them, but sadly I'm an ocean away). Perhaps there's someone who could come to you if you can't get out of the house right now?<BR/><BR/>My heart really goes out to you. You've gotten a lot of advice here, some excellent, some less helpful, but on top of everything else you shouldn't have to take on the burden of sorting through them and figuring out what to listen to and what not. You need help now, not next week. Please, call a local girlfriend and let her do the legwork and try to find you some help sooner.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409530202277375625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-66936411978878376082008-06-04T16:02:00.000-04:002008-06-04T16:02:00.000-04:00I would definitely use Lansinoh, every single inst...I would definitely use Lansinoh, every single instant. It helped me a lot. Also, have the lactation consultant check his latch-on. That cured a lot for me. You said you had talked to one, but I wasn't sure if one had seen you or not. <BR/><BR/>I am so sorry for what you are going through. One way or another, it will get easier. I think we forget how HARD those first few weeks are--especially when we have another little person that we want to be our best for. (((Hugs)))Mom24https://www.blogger.com/profile/00061152728345287775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-68057664607333924212008-06-04T14:24:00.000-04:002008-06-04T14:24:00.000-04:00I second or third the Lansinoh, but to be honest i...I second or third the Lansinoh, but to be honest it really didn't feel like it worked for me. There was a lot of pain , so I guess I wasn't doing it right. But the only thing that actually helped was a breast shield (Medela makes them) which allowed baby girl to nurse w/o actually touching my boob, which helped me get over the scabbing of one incident...it took about 4 weeks to get to a non-painful state...geez...no thanks for the reminders on this one though!!!Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12823571693640400878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-3381908770439749802008-06-04T14:01:00.000-04:002008-06-04T14:01:00.000-04:00I'm so sorry you're having this trouble. My theor...I'm so sorry you're having this trouble. My theory is that breastfeeding generally takes a whole lot of hard work in the beginning, and that work to get a good latch can be exceedingly painful. <BR/><BR/>I am currently in training to become a breastfeeding hotline counselor. Ravaged nipples can be hell to heal. Can I tell you what saved my life? It's called Dr. Jack Newman's All-Purpose nipple ointment. It will help your nipples heal and kill some of the pain. A little goes a long way and it doesn't need to be wiped off. Here is a KellyMom link:<BR/><BR/>http://www.kellymom.com/newman/03b-treatments_sore_nipples_breasts.html<BR/><BR/>It SAVED me. In the early weeks, I went through thrush, vasospasms, cracked nipples, etc. I thoroughly cursed breastfeeding. This ointment made it all go away. If I ever meet Dr. Newman, I will make out with him. <BR/><BR/>You're not alone. It took me a good 5 weeks to start to enjoy breastfeeding, and to get a latch that didn't make me scrunch my face in pain and want to shriek.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17350861069153040567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-8944881179714963352008-06-04T13:14:00.000-04:002008-06-04T13:14:00.000-04:00I have no advice.Just wanted to say I know where y...I have no advice.<BR/>Just wanted to say I know where you're coming from and OUCH. This time I took the oxy codone from my c-section to heal with the nursing pain and the nursing pain was worse than the c-section.<BR/>Have you got the prescription from Jack Newman (the breastfeeding doctor)? It helps.<BR/>But, really - it gets better. My problem has always been that I flinch because I know the pain is coming and then screw up the latch.<BR/>Not that that helps.<BR/>But, I'm sorry. it will get better, but don't feel like you need to nurse.LDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14132834699208306395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-75196497855788206542008-06-04T12:36:00.000-04:002008-06-04T12:36:00.000-04:00I'm just here to offer sympathy, I have no tips at...I'm just here to offer sympathy, I have no tips at all, because I tried nursing my first, a bouncing 8 lb. girl, and never could satisfy her. After two weeks of sitting miserably nursing first one side and then the other for hours at a time, and her still shrieking her head off, we decided to go out for the evening and I fixed a bottle of formula to take with me. I was abysmally dumb, had no guidance at all...and I made a full 9 oz bottle, having no clue that a two week old baby should probably have 2-3 ounces. She drank it all and slept 7 hours. I never looked back. Called my doctor the next day and got instructions on how to bind my breasts while the milk dried up, and bought a case of Similac. I never even tried to nurse the other two.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-69157704207091381942008-06-04T09:22:00.000-04:002008-06-04T09:22:00.000-04:00I had to use nipple shields because the pain was s...I had to use nipple shields because the pain was so bad. IT is a habit that was hard to break and 11 weeks later I am still using them, but who cares? he gets the milk and I am not in pain. Nipple shields-- the best $5 you will ever spend!Tuesday Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01816799873933925204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21558474.post-55219243008011350762008-06-04T09:05:00.000-04:002008-06-04T09:05:00.000-04:00True, Lansinoh is greasy. I used to put GLOBS on ...True, Lansinoh is greasy. I used to put GLOBS on each nipple immediately after nursing, & put nursing pads on to protect my bra - worked wonders, after about a week.<BR/><BR/>The football hold feels awkward at first but it is a nice change for everyone.<BR/><BR/>Big hug!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com