I'm really starting to struggle, LO has oral thrush which has led to her not opening her mouth wide for feeds and getting so frustrated (possibly from soreness ive been told, I'm having to feed with a bad latch it's adding to the pain I have from I don't know what, I just know I can't feed her without crying because of how much my nipple hurts and the shooting pains. My doctor has prescribed daktarin gel for thrush so wil see if that improves the pains. As well as sore nipples, sore boobs, sore stitching downsatairs still and no sleep because she screams allnight And most of the day she is awake I'm a wreck. Most health professionals have just said to bottle feed her use Infacol and the Oral thrush drops or put up with it, I'm so close to giving up but don't want to she's only 18 days old but it seems one thing after another and I dread her waking up because she will want feeding, it sounds horrible and I feel it. My OH went back to work Monday and ever since she has just got worse, first she was just screaming and upset at night now it's in the day as well. I'm feeling like a failure already she dosnt even want to be near me most the time and calms down as soon as anybody else is in the house (apart from my OH), it's probably down to how crappy I feel and her feeling it from me but its like one big circle and we can't break it!! I don't even know what I'm asking for here but just any help please?!?!

Caz xx

For the thrush are you being treated as well? If she has thrush you need to be treated as well even if you don't show symptoms. otherwise she passes it to you and you pass it back to her and it will take a long time for it to clear up. Are her poops foamy? Maybe she has an allergy and that is why she is fussy lots, if its a possible allergy then usually the first thing to try is to eliminate dairy for a few weeks. Also is she gassy/colicky and that is why she is fussy? If she is gassy/colicky have you tried giving her fennel?
http://www.fushi.co.uk/department/he...d-infants.aspx

You also need to try your best to relax, because you being stressed, stresses out the baby.

Does she get a good latch when she didn't have thrush? Has she been checked for tongue tie as that sometimes makes it hard for them to get enough milk as they can't curl their tongue properly?

Have you tried supplementing with a feeding tube? To help her get more while she has the thrush? Then you will still be EBF just with a little help till it clears up?

Just some thoughts on some things you could try.
Also look for a LA leche league in your area they are a great help and give u some suggestions for things to try. They are a great support for BFing.

It sounds like you're having a really hard time.

.........but don't worry - there's always a solution to every problem.

Firstly - thrush.
As Candyday says - you both need to be treated for the infection or it will just pass between the 2 of you and never fully go away. So you both need treatment - the correct treatment.
Go to your GP and request Daktarin gel for LO's mouth and Daktarin cream for your nipples. That will treat the external infection. You also need to get a full course of Fluconazole. This will kill off any infection that has made it into your milk ducts. Get hold of some acidophilus (from Holland & Barratt). Start taking it - and continue taking it once the infection clears up as it will then help stop it returning. In the meantime don't forget it is totally safe for you to take paracetamol to take the edge off the pain.

When you say she cries all day - is this when you try to put her down or when she is away from the breast? If it is either of these things then it is normal. At her age baby just wants to be at the breast. Her job right now is to increase your milk supply to the level she needs in order to get it established.

I think with your OH having gone back to work now you maybe feeling abit overwhelmed by everything?