Reviewing Breastfeeding Basics

With my first child (who is now four years old) I had a horrible time breastfeeding. I had a blocked duct which turned into an abscess and I ended up in the hospital with a drainage tube hanging out of my breast. I only breastfed him for a month before switching to formula. I was worried that it would happen again with Myles but I really wanted to at least try breastfeeding again.

Everything was fine until he was about 7 weeks old. I felt like it was the flu but then I realized it was a breast infection on the same side as with my first baby. I saw my doctor immediately and he put me on antibiotics for three weeks. It cleared up and I thought everything would be fine after that, but as soon as I finished the prescription I felt it all over again on the other side. Back to the doctor and more antibiotics.

I am feeling really frustrated and discouraged I have been massaging them and Myles eats every hour and a half. If they feel too full I'll express some. I feel like I'm doing everything I'm supposed to, but for some reason I keep running into problems. I wear proper fitting nursing bras. I try to have him latched on different ways all the time. I read that if I position his chin close to a lump it would help. At night I feed him lying down. At first I was feeding him on one side per feeding, then on the other side next time. Now I've started feeding him on both sides every time.

This second infection has cleared up, I'm just worried about it happening again. (I also don't like being on antibiotics all the time.) Am I just prone to blocked ducts and infections? I really want to continue but it is taking a lot out of me. Help! Any advice?




 

Dear Andrea,

It sounds like you are doing about everything right. Your bras fit, you nurse in different positions, you nurse often. You say you used to nurse one side per feeding. It is good that you now feed both sides each feeding. How long do you nurse per side? Do you time feedings, or do you watch your baby?

I am going to go back over some basics with you. Please be patient with this.....sometimes the problem can be corrected with a review.

1. When Myles latches on is it comfortable? Are you in a comfortable position? Do you have good support for the arm(s) that support his weight? If not, his position may shift while nursing, causing the ducts and sinuses to not drain properly.

2. Do you create an air space for Myles to breathe? Some moms still press on their breasts to make an "air space" for baby to breathe. That's not necessary to do. Babies noses are hard with flared nostrils. They are designed to nurse from their mothers. Pressing down on your breast to make this air space will block some of your ducts causing backup and possible mastitis.

3. Watch your baby nurse. You know when he first latches on you see rapid suckling. When milk lets down, the suckling pattern changes to a slower, more rhythmic suck... swallow... breathe. When baby's pattern changes back to the rapid movement with little swallowing, that is when to switch sides. Timing the feeds on each side doesn't tell you when that side is done. Watching the baby will.

4. Take care of mommy! (I know, I know, I had a 4 year old when I had my second baby too.) Keep juices and other liquids in the house. Ones YOU like. If there is always something that you like to drink, you will drink enough fluids throughout the day. When you are making a sandwich, make a few and put them in Ziplocks in the fridge. You will then have something to eat when you are hungry and have no time.

5. Go without a bra when at home. Your breasts won't sag (any more) because of no support. Pregnancy seals your fate in that regard. Even proper fitting nursing bras can cause pressure on parts of your breasts when they are full.

I hope that this helps. Please let me know if I can be of any more assistance.

Margie Forrest, RN, BSN, IBCLC





 

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