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Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Infant feeding

sore nipple - please help me

13 replies

ziggyf · 03/12/2007 15:05

hi

I am breastfeeding my 8 week old son and have had lots of problems mainly caused by poor positioning. I think i've got it sorted now but my left nipple is such a mess i am struggling to feed from that side. most feeds i am having to take him off because it's so painful and this really upsets him it's worse in the evening when my supply is less as he sucks really hard which is agony.

is there anything i can do? i don't want to only feed on the right as this nipple is only just recovering from weeks of abuse! i'm smothering lansinoh on after each feed and expressing once a day but i can't get enough out to do it more than once a day.

Please help me, i'm desperate to carry on bf but i'm at my wits end with all the pain.

thanks,
ziggy xx

ps sorry for the typing, i am doing it one-handed!

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Holymoly321 · 03/12/2007 15:11

Have you tried nipple shields? I find bf'g ex painful but these have helped enormously - I had bleeding cracked nips but can now breastfeed ok when wearing the shields.

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weeglenny · 03/12/2007 15:55

When I had problems with bf early on (DS 9 weeks now) a friend had recommended putting bm on the nipple once feeding was finished, which seemed to help cracked nipples a bit. Also I just made sure that DS had as much nipple in his mouth as possible, to the extent that I kind of shoved it in his mouth when he was ready to feed

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Stefka · 03/12/2007 19:31

I am so sorry for you! I have damaged nipples too so I know what you are going through. I have been using lansinoh and jelonet. Try and get it on prescription from your GP. In between feeds I put the lansinoh on and then a few layers of jelonet. Your doing amazingly well to hang in there.

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5goldrings4MONKEYBIRDs · 03/12/2007 19:50

Ziggy

well done you for getting to 8 weeks feeding your baby - what a fantastic job you have been doing.. God, it is really tough for some women and defo try the combination Stefka recommends. In the meantime, you could also wrap up your nipples in a good dollop of vaseline and a small square of muslin if you have these in the house, but a late night Boots or large supermarket might well have Lansinoh/Jelonet if you're really desperate and someone can get out for you. I've also been trying Silverettes which you can buy - not cheap - from Breastfeedingheaven.com I think. they seem to work quite well but not quite sure how!

You might want to go to a baby cafe or BF group or speak to one of the helplines when you're struggling, for some professional advice?

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lou200 · 03/12/2007 19:53

Poor love - I remember the agony, but not so prolonged as you're experiencing. It sounds like you need professional advice on correct latching on? Is there someone you can consult? Try to get DS to open his little mouth as wide as possible and get as much of the nipple area - areola - in his mouth as possible so he has a double chin. He shouldn't be pumping the nipple itself but the tissue below with his lower jaw and the nipple should be 'comfortably' up against his palet. His upper jaw should not squeeze the base of the nipple but the tissue just above.
lots of luck xx

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Mungarra · 03/12/2007 20:17

I second nipple shields. They give your nipples a chance to heal and they were what kept me breastfeeding DS1.

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absandme · 03/12/2007 20:45

I found using lansinoh more sore.... it's like keeping a plaster on a cut, it's too wet!

After a feed, rub a bit of milk on nipple & don't put bra back on, you can keep your t-shirt on but give your nips some airtime & the healing should speed up.

Maybe gentle washing a couple of times a day just with cotton wool & water would be fine, then let air-dry.

If you're not 100% happy with latch perhaps consider seeing someone like a bf counsellor? I did & they are great!

Congrats on new baby & bf!!

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ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 03/12/2007 20:53

Congratulations on your lo!

As you can see from the above, everyone is different. But the best piece of advice I was given was don't let your nipples dry out if they are cracked, as they will crack even more if you feed on that nipple. I smothered (and I mean smothered) my nips in lansinoh after every feed, and used washable cotton breastpads. My nips healed in a few days.

Good luck, you are doing great!

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5goldrings4MONKEYBIRDs · 03/12/2007 21:20

moist healing is generally recommended for fastest and most effective healing of nipple damage - see this linkk

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ziggyf · 04/12/2007 10:02

Thanks everyone - I'm going to see a BFC again on Thursday morning after a nightmare day again yesterday. In the meantime I'll get some jelonet and keep putting the lansinoh on. DH loves the idea of me walking round topless all day! I've already been seen by one of the neighbours - must remember to shut the blinds!

I've now got a different problem that might be due to wrong positioning! In the evenings when my milk is lower it feels like he is squeezing too hard on my nipple to get the milk out, almost chewing. When I finish feeding my nipple goes white like the blood has been sucked out and it's quite sore. I can get the blood back into it temporarily by squeezing. Is it possible that he's just a really strong sucker and i have to put up with this?

Sorry for all the questions, really need to get this sorted as it's making me miserable

ziggy xx

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Babytomsmum · 04/12/2007 10:12

Hi ziggy, just read all the advice and everything i was going to say has already been said! just wanted to add though that you are doing brilliantly to persevere when it's so hard. it does get better and unbelievable as it may sound there will come a time when baby can latch on and you won't feel any pain at all - honest! it's really important though to try and get the position right and to try if you can to feed from both sides. don't beat yourself up over all this though - remember this is a learning curve for you and your little one and not something that comes naturally, whatever some people may think! lots of luck x

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mylovelymonster · 04/12/2007 15:55

Dear Ziggy - my nipples did sometimes go white after quite a normal feed - sometimes purple during a stage when she wasn't latching on properly. (DD 10.5 months now) They would regain a healthy colour on their own though - I wouldn't squeeze the poor things tho if they're sore. I admire your perseverence & dedication and wish you success in getting through this really horrid bit.
You have not failed if you find you can't continue.

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ziggyf · 10/12/2007 11:02

Thanks everyone for all your advice.

We went to bf group on thursday and had a bfc watch me feed lo. Tiny change in positioning and things have improved so much!! It doesn't hurt as much anymore and lo is so much happier now i'm not taking him off several times every feed. I'm not dreading every feed now either!

Still getting the white nipple problem occasionally but most of the time they are fine. So pleased we persevered

Thank you!
ziggy xx