Monday, March 16, 2009

Breastfeeding 911!

So if you feel like this is TMI, please continue no further. I am in desperate need of some help, and I'm hoping someone has some suggestions for me. Since Grace was 2 weeks old, I have had a terrible case of yeast in my breast. I can't feed her on the one side- it feels like a stabbing knife pain in my nipple while she's feeding,and it just gets worse the more I feed her. Then, once she's done, it burns like all get out off and on until the next feeding. I have no outward symptoms, and her pediatrician didn't see signs of thrush. She has been treated with Nystatin, which did nothing. I have been on Diflucan for over a month (200 mg- the highest dose my Ob would give me). I've tried applying heat, and an all-purpose cream my OB prescribed. I even resorted to applying Gentian Violet for a week- which was terribly messy and made her mouth purple. Nothing has given me any relief! At this point, I don't want to give up. I have been pumping the one side and it feels better, but I worry she's not getting enough. My OB said there's nothing more she can do. Anybody have any suggestions?

6 comments:

The Oakes said...

Sorry Becca, I never had problems breast feeding so I can't give you advice from my experience but both hospitals I delivered at had Nursing clinics open to anyone that delivered there for free. Have you checked with the hospital or le leche? I'll pray... thats the best I can do, I know it can be so frustrating!!

Andrea said...

Becca, I didn't have that kind of problem nursing either, but I'll agree with Cassie in that I went to a weekly lactation group at my hospital, where a bunch of us moms sat around a big table & breastfed our babies...We were able to ask any questions we wanted, and we weighed the babies before & after feedings to see how much they were getting---it was my SANITY, especially the first time around. I'll bet if you call the nurses station at the hospital, they can refer you to a lactation consultant who might have such a group. Just a thought. I'll pray, too!

Whitney (for the rest of the Shouses) said...

Oh, Becca, that's awful! I didn't have that but with Layni I kept getting mastitis which was SO painful and frustrating. I can't believe your doctor isn't doing anything else; surely there's something else they can do! I'd call a lactation specialist at the hospital. You're being a great mom to keep nursing through all that!

Becca said...

I went to talk to the lactation consultant who helped me in the hospital...she checked my latch and swore I didn't have yeast (this was right at the beginning.) So I don't know...maybe I should go back and talk to someone different?

Anonymous said...

Hi Becca,
I went to the Le Leche League sight and here is a link to the help they offer re yeast: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/thrush.html
(I hope it works!)
If it doesn't, just google le leche league and look up yeast on there. They have several different resources and helpful suggestions. I hope it helps! I will be praying for you and Grace. Please tell Mike hey for me!

Mom of Three said...

I am sorry you are going through this. I have nothing for ya as I went the bottle route after a failed attempt with my first. If you have to switch to bottle just know that your not a failure as a mom. It sure does make life easier when you bottle feed I will say...