Big gash on nipple - tips for healing it please

[TheBlonde]

Sorry yet another bf question (just tried the NCT bf line but no joy)

I have managed to get a big crack (more like a gash) on one nipple. I'm using lansinoh and hoping to send DH out for some nipple shields later

What else can I do?

[Dinker]

Don't know but I'm having the same problem
just so you know you are not alone

[TheBlonde]

Ah thanks Dinker
Hope you heal soon

I thought expressing might be better than feeding but alas no

[Dinker]

I can't imagine expressing on mine. Makes me feel ill just looking at it! Am also tring a homeopathic remedy called phytollucca (sp). Not sure how readily available it is, my mum's a homeopath you see

[claricebean]

Lansinoh and a couple of days using shields worked for me. Good luck

[sockmonkey]

I had same thing happen when DS2 was teething. Went to docs and she recommended Kamilosan (sp?) and leaving it out in the air as much as possible.
Had to shut curtains and sit with my boob out, Dh thought it was shocking. Put cream on after each feed, and it healed in a couple of weeks.
I also took paracetamol just before feed times to dull the pain a bit... but blimey it did make me want to cry.
You have my sympathy and hope you heal up soon!

[SusanStoHelit]

have the same problem and didn't have much response to my thread.

lansinoh and hope it goes i think

[MrsRecycle]

Sorry you've not had a reply. What worked for me was the Breast shells (avent do some) and leaving them on for 24 hours. If you google Dr jack Newman (bf expert) he recommends these and they really do work.

[fishie]

no not dry, its the scab breaking which hurts worst (youch, remembered agonies) here you can get silver dressing things too but i don't know what the brand name is.

[rabbleraiser]

Daft though this may seem, Blonde, you could give honey a try. I know it's sticky, but underneath a breast pad it'll be fine, and it washes off with plain water (no painful scrubbing involved).

It's one of natures most powerful healers. Many years ago a friend of mine had a double masectomy, the scars from which just wouldn't heal. An old lady told her to try honey, and they healed up within a week.

[SusanStoHelit]

worth a try acytually, i use honey on burns and it works miracles

[liath]

I think Manuka honey from New Zealand is supposed to be especially good at healing though you'd want to wash it off thoroughly before a feed. Jelonet dressings can be good or Mother Mates (Boots sell them). Poor you with this and thrush. I am starting to come to the conclusion that girls don't breast-feed nearly as well as boys but I don't think I have any scientific basis for this .

[pirategirl]

Kamillosan, is the best, get t in boots. Rub a little on back of hand to soften ( its already soft but this makes it uber silky) and apply, its really good.

contains chamomille, and i had excruciating pain of cracked nipples, but it was very healing, and fast too.

[dazzlincaz]

TheBlonde - try different feeding positions as well as the Lasinoh. May well be easier if you start the feed on the opposite breast so any hungry chomping is not on the sore one.

Honey not advisable is baby is under a year because it may contain botulism spores that the baby's digestive and immune systems cannot handle.

Hth.

[lizyjane]

I had this and my bf counsellor suggested jellonet after every feed. This allowed gash to heal from the bottom, and not to scab over in between feeds as it gets deeper the next time you latch the baby on. Mine didn't heal until I did this - hope this helps.

[TheBlonde]

Thanks for all the replies

Where can I get this Jelonet stuff?

I am trying the rugby hold to take the pressure off the dodgy nip and it is helping a little

[lizyjane]

You can get it from any chemist, it is a paraffin gauze. The key thing is to use it after every feed, you don't need to wash nips before latching on and it stops the wound from scabbing over. It is the scab breaking that makes it hurt so much, so you should feel better quite soon.

[fishie]

get hydrogel if you can, it is pliable and fabric backed, whereas jelonet is a bit gunky.

you might need to order it from pharmacist, i got it on repeat prescription.

[Malaleche]

Thought honey was no-go for under one yo? You'd have to wash it off really well before every feed...

[shonaspurtle]

TheBlonde - try to get a prescription for Jelonet from your midwife/gp if you can. It's a bit pricy! Also make sure you use plenty of whatever cream you have as you want to make sure it stays moist (but not wet so change breast pads frequently) and that the sore place doesn't stick to your breast pad.

By the way, if you go to the TIPS website and sign up to be a parent tester, Sharon is testing breast pads, creams, breast shells etc at the moment. I signed up last week and have been sent loads of stuff to feed back on! Click on the "become a TIPS member" link, fill out the parent tester form and she'll contact you.

[TheBlonde]

Just reporting back to say thanks

Nip is healed now (used Kamillosan in the end)
Baby is still fully breastfed