I am a LLL Leader and WIC Peer Counselor. I am posting on behalf of a
fellow WIC PC, about one of her clients.
The mother is 27 years old, Spanish-speaking, and this is her second
baby. Her first baby was breastfed for about 3 months, at which time the
mother might have had mastitis; she didn't seek help or treatment with
breastfeeding that child. The current baby is one month old, weighed 5
lb. 6 oz at birth, but is healthy. The mother had cracked nipples, at
the tips, in the beginning. She used an electric pump from WIC, and
working with her WIC PC, overcame the nipple soreness and is healed from
that.
The problem is a strange sensation the mother feels when the baby latches
on. She feels like there is "air in her breast" (that's the best
description she can give her PC), the feeling comes up to her mouth,
which feels like she's "sucked on a lemon." Her teeth hurt and she feels
sick. This feeling is strong and unpleasant enough that she can't wait
to end the feeding, and in fact, is only breastfeeding at night. During
the day, she pumps and gives the breastmilk in a bottle. ****Pumping
causes no discomfort or bad feelings.**** The mother is determined to
breastfeed, and wishes she could stop using the pump and just breastfeed.
I've searched the archives, but then this is a difficult subject to
label. I would appreciate any sort of feedback: if you've heard of
anything like this; what other questions you would ask the mother. In
the back of my mind, I wonder if there could be a history of sexual
abuse, especially because the pumping causes no problems, but
breastfeeding gives her a sick feeling. But then, what is the
breastfeeding counselor's role in that situation?
Thanks in advance.
Sally Bishop
La Leche League Leader
WIC Peer Counselor
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