Hi Ladies,

I think I may have to give up BF .

From the day Chloe was born(10 weeks ago) my nipples have been sore and have never got better. I have seen 2 lactation consultants and been to several BF groups because I thought it was something I was doing wrong but it turns out my positioning is fine it's Chloe who has the problem, she has a posterior tongue which means she can't latch deeply enough and an upper lip tie which means she can't flange her top lip to create a good seal which is why she clicks so much on the breast. One lactation con told me she couldn't refer me because the tie is not visible enough.

I saw my HV yesterday and she could see Chloe has a tie and told me to speak to my GP about a referal to get the tie snipped. I saw the GP yesterday afternoon about her tie and he said what do you want me to do about it ,you should just bottle feed her...WTF. I asked why we just couldn't be referred to get it snipped and he went on about the procedure and that she will need to be put to sleep and the risks of an anaesthetic (sp), I then had to explain to him that the tie is snipped with a pair of sharp blunt ended scissors and there is no need for her to be put to sleep, he just kept saying well if she feeds well with a bottle then that's what I should do. I tried to explain that because she can't create a good seal and clicks a lot she takes in a lot of air whether she's BF or bottle fed, he just wouldn't listen. He then asked to see my nipples and told me I have thrush and sent me packing with a perscription for canestan and told me to use nipple shields....well thanks for all the effing support . They go on about breast is best but are unwilling to support and help someone who wants to continue and can possibly see a solution to a problem that can be so easily fixed.....ggrrrrr .

I have looked into having both the tongue tie and the upper lip tie(there is a bit more to an upper lip tie snip) done privately and there is a Dr in Manchester who will do it for us early next week but then I keep thinking do I want to put her through that just so we can keep breastfeeding or do I admit defeat and give up beacuse I can't see my nipples healing whilst we are still BF.

I am at a loss and when ever I think about stopping I end up in tears, I just don't know what to do????

PS Sorry for the mammoth post

heya i am just running off to put crying eli to bed but will return x

If you want to continue bf then i'd say it would be worth it. I do know someone who had cracked nipples. I can't remember why off the top of my head but I know when the problem went she used nipple shields to allow her to heal. Have you thought about expressing to see if she is any better on the bottle and to give your nipples a break?

Secondly your dr shouldn't just dismiss you like that. Is there someone else at the surgery you could see to get a second opinion because it doesn't seem right that you have to pay for something she needs to have done.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about the actual procedure so can't help there but I do know how hard breastfeeding is at the best of times so congratulations for getting so far. You should be so proud of yourself (and if that sounds patronising I don't mean it to). Hope you find a solution you're happy with

I would try and get a 2nd opinion chick as that doc sounds a right tit. If you want to bf then that's your choice and I don't think the procedure is very difficult and could be better done now than later. If it were me and I wanted to carry on bf I would deff get it done, stupid doctor telling you to bottle feed, I am actually quite mad for you xxx

ffs will this never end?! your doctor is a proper moron. can your hv write prescriptions? if she can i would ask for nystatin for chloe because you won't get rid of the thrush unless you are both treated.

as for the tie...at the time i probably would have given up bf because i found it so hard at the start. in hindsight and for other babies i may have i would go for it and get it snipped - in my honest opinion it would be 100% worth it in the long run, but i also know how hard it can be to keep going.

just do what you think it best, personally i would battle through and bf, but 2 months is a long time to be sore so don't in any way feel bad if you decide to go to formula.

i think i said before, but combination feeding might be a key, you could do half and half until you healed and then decide how you felt about going back to exclusive bf or formula

I would really like to try and combi feed but don't know how much to give her, also when would you do the bottle feeds?

The more I think about it the more I don't want to give up because I love being able to feed her so a second opinion I think is needed.I shall give my hv a call tomorrow and ask if she can do perscriptions.

And don't worry liberty it doesn't sound patronising at all

Thanks girls I feel a little better

xx

well i think when elijah was about chloes age we were still combination feeding - we just used pre-made cartons of hipp organic. he had anything up to 7oz in the evening (about 11pm but he has always been nocturnal). the way i decided was i thought of the best times for daddy to feed eli and give me a break - so evening it was...i didn't want to affect my milk supply so kept it to one feed which was enough of a break for a shower or sleep or bit of food.

if your oh or someone else is around how about one bottle in the morning and one in the evening? i would try her with maybe 5oz and see if she drinks the lot or leaves some - she might even be like wtf mummy what is this? i suspect she will drink the lot as i think bottles are easier to drink from.

i would say it really worked for me and enabled me to go back to exclusive bf and we are still bfing now without formula - nipple shields were good too, but a word of caution, i found they made the thrush worse, so maybe once you are clear they will be better? they were great as a short term help though

Others have said it all but just wanted to reiterate!
GP = bollocks
HV = may help
BF = only you know but a mix could be an idea
milk = can be formula and/or expressing?
second opinion = I deff would, and a 3rd and 4th if needs be
medical profession = a bag of shit - (e.g. we have our "6 week" check tomorrow. At 10 weeks. And only baby; not me. I don't get one. )

P.S. trust your mummy instincts xx

ahhh grace, that was poetic

my lo had her tongue tie snipped at 2 weeks old and it was so quick and easy, she cried for a sec until i put her on for a feed then was absolutely fine, i would see another doc and push for it as a tongue tie can affect there oral hygiene in the future as well as there speech, good luck your gp sounds useless by the way, unfortunately there are quite alot of old school gps that need a bit of retraining out there

That is shocking!

Can you see another doctor at your surgery? I would also speak to your HV again tomorrow and tell her what you have been told.

Dont give up xx

Oh Nay, I was actually nearly in tears reading this. I am absolutely fuming about how your gp is treating you!! As you know, Dexter has tongue tie, not severe so thankfully not causing problems but if it was I would definately consider getting it snipped. I wish I could say something more constructive but huge hugs hun xxx

GraceBean&Pip wrote:

medical profession= a bag of shit

*Bottom lip quivers*


Seriously though Nay your doc is a flamin moron you need to kick up shit about it. No way you should be paying to have it done when she needs it. Dont be pressured by him to bottle feed its a choice only you can make. I really hope you can get it sorted out hon xxx

Hello,

Well we have had a good week....for the first time my nipples are not as painful and I feel we have turned a corner...yay. I have no idea what has changed but it certainly is a good thing

We are still looking to get her tie snipped and have another appointment at the Dr's on Friday where I will also be making a complaint about that twat of a doctor.

Thanks for all the advice and support I shall NOT be giving up

xx

Brilliant news hun!! Been thinking of you and wondering how you were doing.

xxx

Glad you've had a better week. Hope it continues

that's awesome, i'm so pleased for you hopefully you will have an easy time of it now and can actually enjoy the simplicity of bf!

Chloe has been refered...yippee

Appointment should be within the next week

Thanks for the support ladies

xx

Thats great news. Hopefully it will be sorted quickly

That is brilliant!

I hope they get it sorted out quickly xx

that's fantastic