Shredded nipples - is there a dressing you can use?

[ElphabaTheGreen]

BFing four day old DS2 and my nipples are shredded so I'm thinking of expressing and cup feeding for a few days to let them recover (I did this fine with DS1). I'm getting great support from the BFN with his latch but he's tongue tied, hence the difficulties. He's booked to have it snipped at an NHS clinic at their next appointment in a month Seriously considering getting a private lactation consultant to do it...

Anyway, I'm sure I read somewhere on MN recently that you can get dressings (Jel-o-net?) that can aid healing. Is this right or did I dream it?

TIA!

[LilyandGinger]

There is a net gel thing you can get but I didn't personally find it helpful. Lansinoh was the best thing really. I also had gel filled rings (like doughnuts ) which I got from the NCT catalogue which I could put in the fridge or warm up in hot water and I found them Very soothing.

Don't worry your nipples will toughen up soon. It's just you haven't used them before - it can take a while to settle in.

You might want to get your latch checked too to make sure you are getting the best position as that can really make a difference.

Hang on in there, it's worth it.

[LilyandGinger]

Sorry just seen you are getting latch advice.

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

Jelonet is what you need. It saved me when I was feeding. it is totally, totally magic.

Good luck.

[fruitpastille]

Jelonet helped me. The pharmacist sold it byvthe sheet which I then cut into small squares. I put on lansinoh with jelonet on top, plus breastpad. It dries out after a few hours so although it helps, it's not a miracle cure. Multimam compresses are good too - Boots stock them.

[TeenageMutantNinjaTurtle]

If you can afford it, get the tie snipped privately. My 4 week old was tongue tied and we had it snipped at three days... I was in agony and within 24 hours my nipples had healed. Feeding her was totally pain free within a couple of days

Anyone saying "your nipples will toughen up" has not experienced feeding a tongue tied baby - it is not the same pain as normal feeding and does not go away but continues to get worse.

[Marnierose]

I would pay to have the tt sorted if you can. Or try to insist on a sooner app. I would argue that 4 weeks is just not acceptable.

[ElphabaTheGreen]

Thanks everyone - I'll give the Jelonet a go.

The midwife who does the snipping actually saw him and booked him in for the tongue tie clinic while we were still in hospital. Why the hell she couldn't have done it on the spot mystifies me. It can 'only' be done in the clinic, apparently. I can only assume the large acute hospital he was born in didn't contain a single pair of serile scissors

I've sent an email to Milk Matters to see if they cover my area for a private snip.

[fishpietea]

I had TT snipped privately in Berkshire if that's near you. I used silver cups to fix my wrecked nipples, you just have to remember to empty them now and again to stop them emptying on the floor in front of your husband's friends

[TeenageMutantNinjaTurtle]

I can recommend two tongue tie snippers in London... We paid £100 for our dd's.

I've heard good things about the silver breast cups too, but never tried them!

[ElphabaTheGreen]

I'm up north, unfortunately, but thanks for the suggestions

[Superworm]

A month is a long time to wait, especially if you're already suffering.

If you can afford to go private, here's a list of lactation consultants in the UK, I'm sure someone could do it if milk matters can't help. I did DS's TT privately in the end.

You will be at increased risk of mastitis and thrush as there's trauma to the nipples. Jelonet can help with 'wet healing' although you might be more at risk of thrush or introducing something to the wound. Research wise, there's no evidence wet healing is any better than dry healing.

Congrats on your DS

[ElphabaTheGreen]

Thanks for that Superworm (are you super fun? ) That gives me a plan B if Milk Matters aren't able to help.

[Philippalc]

This is a link to a good article on sore nipple treatments by Marsha Walker including a paragraph on hydrogel dressings but it is quite technical and a bit heavy going to read, but very thorough! The latest findings include washing damaged nipples with unperfumed mild soap just as you would wash any other wound, to keep bacteria in check and prevent infection (no need to wash healthy nipples with soap). breastfeeding.support/what-can-i-put-on-sore-nipples/
The private IBCLC route sounds a good idea to get breastfeeding comfortable for you whether positioning or tongue tie. breastfeeding.support/why-does-breastfeeding-hurt/

[HuggleBuggleBear]

Cote Royd in Huddersfied (John Roberts I think) did my dd tongue and lip tie by lazer if that's close to you. A m