This is a 2-part problem.

First, baby likes to cluster feed from about 6pm to 8pm (from what I understand this is normal because milk supply is usually lowest at thus time of day, right?) And then she likes to comfort nurse from around 9pm until nearly 11pm. I'm fine with following her lead, but needless to say, my nipples are very sore. Lansinoh helps a lot, but I'm still sore to the point where I dread feeding her in the evenings. So should I just ride this out? I worry that its too soon to bottle-feed her expressed milk and I definitely don't want to introduce a pacifier, mainly because I'm worried about nipple confusion and hurting my supply, but also because ds just gave up his binky last week and I don't want him to freak out, y/k?

Second, I woke up in the middle of the night with a fever and chills, like when you first come down with the flu, and with a painful knot in one breast. At first I was thinking mastitis, but now the only symptom is a sore, tender spot. I'm trying to nurse her on that side, but its still very tender and my nipples are still really sore from last night. Should I pump on that side, or grin n' bear it and nurse?

Thank you!

[LaLa]

Any chance you could be battling thrush?

I suppose its always a chance. I wouldnt expect sore nipples from just cluster feeding right now. Shes also 3 weeks so I'm guessing a growth spurt thrown in the mix is another issue.

Nurse nurse nurse, get some GV and probiotics and treat for thrush. Any other symptoms?

Lala...

I'm not sure if I have thrush; there are no white patches in her mouth. However, I did get antibiotics during labor for GBS and it totally threw off my gut flora and she did have a yeast rash. Also, I still leak a lot (soaking through at least 4 sets of flannel nursing pads during the day and a double-layer at night), which is breeding ground for years. So I guess thrush would definitely be a possibility.

You know, it just hit me: doesn't a forceful let-down sometimes cause soreness because it causes baby to keep tugging, clamping and unlatching? Mine is so forceful that baby doesn't even need to latch on; I can just sit her across the room and squirt the milk into her mouth . And the last few days I've been trying to get the hang on NAK, which may have caused bad positioning...

[LaLa]

I could bet money on thrush.

Treat with GV, and check out kellymom for the full protocol. Boil everythign, including bras, and use a little vinegar for extra measure (every day). DO GV 2 - 3 times a day for 3 -4 days, and you can also use some Lotrimin on the diaper rash if its still present, and even on your nipples for quick relief. Apply after a feeding, and you shouldnt even need to wipe it before the next feeding. Treat it aggressively now, and hopeuflly it wont become a lingering problem (((Hugs)))

Lala...

thank you!

[srs]

I had soreness for longer than I thought I should, like maybe the first 10 weeks, and in hindsight I wonder if it was thrush too, even though there were no symptoms like the white patches. I also had the GBS antibiotics during labor.

Good luck and I hope you see some improvement!