Expert: ruth kraft - 5/8/2009

Question
Hi,
My 2 week old baby is not able to latch properly and its very painful to feed him .Ive been trying to pump occasionaly but since last 2-3 days breats have bcome very heavy and painful .Im having fever today as well. Even after punping both breasts , there is relief only for some time abd pain returns in a hr or two. There are also red swollen marks on my left breast which pain too much, maybe accumulation of milk.Ive been trying hot fermenting before giving milk . Can you please suggest any solution to reduce pain and how to manage b/w expressing milk and breastfeeding the baby.His latching issue is giving me phobia.

Answer
You need to immediately get in contact with a lactation consultant or breastfeeding councilor with la leche league. You need to fix that latch now or you will be in for a long hard breastfeeding relationship if you don't give up first. Unfortunatly that isnt  something that I can tell you how to fix over the computer. I have to see the baby in person nursing to give advice.

as far as engorgment, the pumping is actually complicating the problem likely. You sound like you might be coming down with a breast infection so see a lactation consultant as you might need medication. Run warm water over your breasts and then put some sage tea bags on them to reduce engorgment. You can also take a cabage leaf and place it in your bra until it wilts. this can help engorgment sometimes. However, not too much as you dont want to reduce your supply too much.  pump ONLY until pressure is gone, not to empty or you will have the same problem over and over. and get to see a breastfeeding councelor asap to fix that latch :)

Good luck!