Help, I’m struggling with breastfeeding.

No advice but don't let it discourage you if you want to continue with breastfeeding! It took me 6 weeks to get my son to latch. And the opposite is true as well - don't feel guilty if you're ready to stop either

I’ve had mastitis in the first couple of weeks of breastfeeding too with similar symptoms. Phone GP so they can prescribe antibiotics - I rang mine in the afternoon and had my prescription that same evening then it takes around 3 days for it to fully improve. If possible, keep putting baby on the breast to try and empty it/relieve it.
Honestly it’s such a struggle at first but I’m at 4.5 months breastfeeding and it’s just sooo much easier and convenient. I would definitely do it all over again.

If your nipples are in a lot of pain, try pumping till they feel a little better then try latching again. Your baby could possibly have a tongue tie which isn’t helping him latch which can cause pain so I would ask their pediatrician to check. You should also look into a lactation consultant to help you. For me the two weeks were painful and then it just went away. I kind of just thugged it out, but it was also my second time doing it so I was aware of what to expect. But I noticed when I pumped, it wasn’t painful.

But i’ve read that if you take antibiotics, your milk supply can drop, so I haven’t wanted to call the GP. How did you recorver ?

It didn’t have any effect on supply what so ever. I just made sure to put the baby on the boob as much as possible and she wasn’t phased by it. After about 3 days all the cold like symptoms went. The redness cleared almost instantly and the pain in breast took a little longer but by the time I finished the whole course it was all good 😊

Mam nipple Shields when breast feeding + renting a Medela symphony pump to ensure I get all the milk out is what is working for me!

I almost gave up on breast feeding because it was so freaking painful.
I ended up buying a hands free pump. I add in breastfeeding when we both feeling it. But it’s a huge help and I wish I could breastfeed all the time because it’s less clean up. But it hurts too much for me. So I just do what I can. 👍

The cracked nipples and clogged milk ducts, to me, suggest a tongue, lip, or cheek tie might be at bay. I would highly recommend setting an appointment with a phenomenal pediatric dentist who specializes in revisions and see if your baby has one, and if so, go with them. You can check your local Facebook for groups and get recommendations for that dentist. Some dentists "clip" and others use a laser, I highly suggest a laser. My daughter had a pretty bad one, and breastfeeding never really got better.. I didn't get hers revised until she was nearly two.. I listened to my family dentist (who is great, but not a pediatric dentist and he's moved into orthodontist work), and he told me not to do anything because they usually just.. break on their own after a natural fall or two — well, that happened, and her mouth was soooo bloody, and it did NOT break through. In fact, it healed and happened AGAIN before I finally took her in. 100% wish I did it when she was an infant, rather than a toddler.

For the cracked nipples you can try silverettes, they are like little silver caps which stop your nipples rubbing on clothes and help them to heal. I thought they were a total fad when people recommended them but was desperate enough to try anything and they made a huge difference! Just make sure to keep them clean

I have had to go on antibiotics twice in my first 7wks pp and it didn’t drop my supply. Don’t leave ur mastitis to get worse u can become very unwell with it if left. It’s very hard in the beginning as I also had sore and damaged nipples from poor latching, the only things that kept me going was by pumping my day feeds to bottle feed and just letting my nipples have a break so I could bf for the night and early hrs for bonding and convenience. We are 11weeks in and it is getting so much easier as we go, so hang in there mumma ur doing amazing x