Nursing Help - Cuba,MO

Your baby might not be emptying your breasts or you might be feeling a let-down of more milk. Either way, try pumping after feedings. That should relieve the pain you are feeling and you can start to build a supply so Daddy or other relatives can share in the feedings. You are aware already of the symptoms of Mastitis (flu symptoms, fever, pain, redness, heat) so just keep watching out for that. Pumping after feedings can help prevent that also. Good luck and congrats on the new baby!

I nursed both my baby boys and the only time I had those sharp pains was when I had Mastitis and when my milk was drying up.

I'm breastfeeding my fifth child who's 4 months old and I get that too. I don't remember getting that with my others. For me, drinking plenty of water makes it go away. If I don't, then it turns into a plugged milk duct eventually. Good luck and congratulations!

Sounds like thrush to me (I'm sorry!). The good news, I suppose, is that when you manage to kick it, it often doesn't return. I had it early on with my second child, and although it took a good month or two to beat it, it has not returned. I have nursed three children now, for two years each, so I've certainly had plenty of exposure!

Yeast grows in warm moist places, you can be especially susceptible when you have (even tiny) cracks in your skin, or when your immune system is low (too little sleep, too much sugar or otherwise acidifying diet). Do your best to let your nipples get air circulation, eat as much of your diet in raw fruits & veggies as possible, and treat yourself at the same time you treat your baby. Gentian Violet is a standard place to start. Make sure you read up to find the appropriate concentration (1% or 2% or whatever). You can find it on the shelf at Walmart, but you may need to the pharmacist to dilute it for you. It's crazy messy. I bought my baby a purple outfit to use when we used GV :)

You can also use white vinegar for sponge-bathing or in your bath water. I think I used my vinegar sunburn spray to just mist myself whenever I changed my nursing pads.

Lotrimin (an anti-fungal cream) can help, but you'll need to wipe it off before nursing.

Next traditional step would likely be Nystatin, prescribed by your doc (you could probably get your OB to call it in and save a trip to peds, if you wanted). I personally didn't like Nystatin - didn't find it very effective, and the super-sugarey application was kind of counter-intuitive. I mean, if yeast feeds on sugar, why would you put an anti-fungal in a syrup?

Here's what really knocked it out of the park for us:

- Instead of Nystatin, I would recommend Grapefruit Seed Extract, which you can purchase from a health food store. The liquid tastes AWFUL, but the benefits are that you can start with a very small internal dose and gradually increase (because you really do need to take it slow). You can also use it topically, although it's very likely your baby will also hate the taste. You can get capsules as well. I personally started with the liquid, and then when I built up my dose, switched to capsules.

- Jack Newman's All Purpose Nipple Ointment. There is a recipe for it here: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/thrush/thrush-resourc...
This stuff was MAGIC. I've kept it in my fridge and used it for various nipple irritations ever since. Perhaps that's why we've never had thrush again. You may have to see a compounding pharmacy as this is a custom mix. Try to get the smallest amount possible - a little goes a long way. They gave me a 3oz tube which will last me through about 25 children. It cost nearly $60. I wish I could have gotten a third of that, but never thought to ask in advance.

- Diflucan. This is a powerful oral antifungal. It shouldn't be your first resort but it will be a great last resort. Some passes through your milk so your baby will be treated simultaneously.

I used to get these stabbing/burning pains in my breasts after I would nurse my son. It didn't last long and started to just not happen after a little while.
One thing that helped was to rub my breasts. Sounds funny but it helped me.

Are the pains in your nipples? As soon as the baby is done nursing on one side,put slight pressure on your breast,either with your hand or a good bra.
Are your breasts red or hot to touch? It sounds like you are ok and just need a good supportive bra. If your nipples are sore during nursing you can get nursing shields. Baby is only 3 weeks you are starting to produce more milk now. If you are feeling pressure you might want to express some.
Congrats on the new baby!