Community support for breastfeeding

Thrush can cause breastfeeding problems

katluce: I had the pains in the breast that sound like yours. When your baby feeds, it's as if they have a mouth full of razors. If you're having shooting pains in your breast after feeding, it might be a yeast infection.

The bad news is that it is difficult to treat in the UK. You can get Dilfucan, which is a medication, but you might have to bully your doctor into letting you take it as it is not advised for lactating mothers here. In America and Australia you would get it on prescription.

You take it by mouth, and I am living proof that it works. I am still breastfeeding my son, and he is now 16 months old.

The fact that your baby was not latching on means that he might have thrush in his mouth. If he has, you will see little white marks like curds on the inside of his cheeks, which you can't move with your finger. It will make his mouth hurt. It might also appear as nappy rash on his bottom - red clusters of spots. Doctors will prescribe Nystatin drops or Daktarin gel for the baby's mouth and cream for his bottom.

Keep expressing the milk to keep your supply going, and don't give up - help is at hand.

Nipple shields protect sore skin

clairemc65: The simplest solution is to allow your nipples time to heal by using a nipple shield/guard. They look like clear silicon Mexican hats with small holes in the crown.

I did this with both my kids and they were so easy to use and cleared up the pain so quickly that I would recommend them to anyone. Make sure you sterilise them between feeds. They are totally harmless to you and the baby, and will let him feed his little face to the brim.