Please tell me.....

That this will get easier....I'm so fed up. BF'ing had been going fine except for the fact that I have a forceful letdown and my LO is very gassy, chokes on my milk, "fights" me at the breast, etc. Then I got mastitis. Smurfing OUCH. Now I'm on antibiotics and the first day was fine and I was starting to feel better. Now two days after starting them, my breasts hurt worse when I have let downs, they have this constant pin prickly, stinging sensation, and I guess I made the mistake of starting to feed off both breasts at each feeding (in hopes of emptying both of them for the mastitis to get better), and now I feel like my DD can't keep up bc she's not emptying them. And my boobs just HURT all the time and I'm so tired of it!!!!! I want to hold my older DD without fear she will elbow me and lay younger DD on my chest without it hurting!!!

     

BF'ing is so frustrating this time!!!

It will get better. Can you pump after you nurse to help the pain? Try warm compresses on your breasts to help. It will get better. Just gotta get through this hump

Like patti said, maybe pump after you feed her and lots of super hot showers. I have a forceful letdown too and DD is always choking on it.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Patti.:</b>" It will get better. Can you pump after you nurse to help the pain? Try warm compresses on your breasts to help. It will get better. Just gotta get through this hump"</blockquote>




 

<blockquote><b>Quoting Patti.:</b>" It will get better. Can you pump after you nurse to help the pain? Try warm compresses on your breasts to help. It will get better. Just gotta get through this hump"</blockquote>



Yea I can, I'm just scared it will up my supply even more   I was kind of hoping antibiotics would decrease my supply a bit but nopeee.

Quoting O ♥ G:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Patti.:</b>" It will get better. Can you pump after you nurse ... [snip!] ... I'm just scared it will up my supply even more   I was kind of hoping antibiotics would decrease my supply a bit but nopeee."

Its not a bad thing to have a good supply. If anything pump and save it for later. When your breasts are feeling better the baby will help regulate your supply.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Patti.:</b>" Its not a bad thing to have a good supply. If anything pump and save it for later. When your breasts are feeling better the baby will help regulate your supply. "</blockquote>




When would you say it regulates for good? I've heard around 12 weeks. She's almost 5 weeks currently

Quoting O ♥ G:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Patti.:</b>" Its not a bad thing to have a good supply. If ... [snip!] ... "</blockquote> When would you say it regulates for good? I've heard around 12 weeks. She's almost 5 weeks currently"

Well you figure right now shes probably going through a growth spurt. Its been awhile since Ive nursed (my youngest is 3 1/2) but I kinda think around 2-3 months is when it started leveling out to where my body knew what she needed. I remember the first month or so the let down sucked.
I ended up with a clogged duct when she was about 5 months old. Someone at WIC told me to put her chin where the clog was. It was an awkward way to nurse because of where it was, but omg it felt amazing to get the clog out. It was painful, yet easing at the same time...if that makes any sense.

Ive heard with mastitis to nurse more to empty your breasts. Thats why I think pumping would really help.

I pumped when I needed relief between feedings for the first few months. I also had a forceful letdown and I found pumping a bit before feeding helped my daughter not choke, I only needed to do this when I was very full (usually in the morning). Now that she's 5 months old I don't really pump anymore my body has gotten used to the amount of milk she needs and I don't overproduce anymore. I love having the extra milk saved and frozen because now I can go out for a few hours without her and I don't have to worry about her needing food. She doesn't like bottles as much but she will take one if she needs to. It will get better, you body probably just isn't used to what your baby needs yet. I'd also like to note I rarely feed on both sides I just find it more comfortable to do it that way, also that way you fully relieve at least one side instead of having both sides still too full. If you need to relieve the other side maybe you can try pumping until your body is used to your feeding patterns and the amount your baby eats.

Quoting **Jen:" I pumped when I needed relief between feedings for the first few months. I also had a forceful letdown ... [snip!] ... the other side maybe you can try pumping until your body is used to your feeding patterns and the amount your baby eats."

yes good point! Pump a little before nursing. That way you empty your breasts a little bit and it doesnt choke her.

<blockquote><b>Quoting **Jen:</b>" I pumped when I needed relief between feedings for the first few months. I also had a forceful letdown ... [snip!] ... the other side maybe you can try pumping until your body is used to your feeding patterns and the amount your baby eats."</blockquote>




Yes I will definitely start pumping more now. Hopefully it will help. And I had been doing one boob per feeding since we came home from the hospital but when I got mastitis I had the bright idea to start both sides to empty out the infected breast and not "neglect" the other breast. Turned out to not work so well lol.

Quoting O ♥ G:" <blockquote><b>Quoting **Jen:</b>" I pumped when I needed relief between feedings for ... [snip!] ... to start both sides to empty out the infected breast and not "neglect" the other breast. Turned out to not work so well lol."

When you nurse if she doesnt take both breasts try and remember which one she didnt nurse from and start on that breast first. Or if she takes both, start with the one she was last on.

I'm really sorry you're having such a rough time   with my first baby, bfing was a nightmare so I feel your pain.
Like PPs suggested, pump a little before DD eats so she doesn't choke on your letdown. I hope things get better for you soon