Lactation consultant = Angel

The verdict from the lactation consultant today was a little more hazy than I would have liked but at least I got some answers. The problem we are having is one (or both) of the following:

1. Intraductal thrush (which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like)
2. Pain when my breasts are refilling with milk

The first problem is treated with a 21-day regimen of diflucan. The second is trickier. I need to take Motrin every 6 hours. I need to put warm compresses after feeding. And, mainly, I need to just try to hold on until the 3-month mark when this problem tends to go away.

To avoid taking a medicine that may not be affective, we'll treat this as if I have problem #2 at first. If the treatment doesn't seem to lessen the pain then I have the intraductal yeast and I'll get a prescription for the diflucan.

The good news: Ellis Rose and I are not doing anything wrong. Her latch is good. My hold is good. The bouts of mastitis are probably related to whatever is going on.

Good news piece #2: I'm not crazy in thinking this is the most excruciating pain I've ever felt. My lactation consultant told me several mothers have said this pain is worse than childbirth (sans epidural). This made me feel better since, when asked to describe the pain, I said it was like red ants with shovels were making their way through my boobs.

So. There you have it. I hope we've jumped this hurdle and are on our way back to the point where breastfeeding is a pleasant experience once again.

I'm feeling pretty good.

(And then today at lunch my dad said he though he saw a tooth. Good lord.)