Urgent help needed - huge blood blister on areola

[fisil]

ds2 is 2 1/2 weeks and breastfeeding is going much better this time. Right breast is no problem at all, but for some reason we always have problems latching onto left breast, there is always some pain and the nipple is a bit cracked. Then just now he latched on with no problem or pain at all. He was sucking and swallowing big time, and it was completely pain free. Hurrah. He did keep letting out small cries, but I ignored that. When he spat out, he'd basically been sucking on one of the areola bumps and had left it very swollen, painful and bright red. It is weeping blood very lightly and is painful. It is so close to the nipple and so swollen that I couldn't face trying to get him back on, so I fed him from the right breast (luckily I have a plentiful supply).

But now I have a very painful left nipple and areola and a full breast. What do I no next?

[Lizzylou]

Don't know really, but bumping in the hope someone who does reads this for you!

[Flossam]

Could you give it a rest for the day and try some gentle hand expressing to ease any discomfort? I know that blood does baby no harm, but I wouldn't want him back on there either! Olive oil is supposed to be good on sores, as it can be applied to broken skin, not sure if Lasinoh (sp) etc can. Also the expressing a little milk and leaving it to dry. You poor thing.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Hmm, I know that blister plasters are good on regular blisters, don't know about blood blisters.

Online references suggest icing? If it's hurting, that's probably a good idea.

[fisil]

Thanks for the advice. I didn't know about the olive oil, but I've put it on. Also I will try hand expressing (the thought of using my electric pump was even worse than feeding him, but somehow my little brain hadn't come up with the alternative of hand expressing!)

[Chandra]

I got that while BF, they gave me some gauzes with something on them to heal the blisters faster, I will get the name for you, bare with me.

[LIZS]

Ouch. I've used Kamillosan on general sore skin, nappy rash etc and when breastfeeding. Coudl you change position on that one to give that part of the areola a bit of a break and at least between that and hand expressing you'd keep some milk flowing, otherwise the ducts could clog too.

[Chandra]

Jelonet (Parafin gauze dressing BP,normal loading) you can get them in Boots. Just cut a small piece and place it over the area.

[fastasleep]

I know the feeling! I got blood blisters actually on my nipples due to full time expressing and nothing helped, just had to carry on... feeding DS pink milk was disconcerting to say the least....it's really painful isn't it!! poor you! shudders at the thought of having to do it again!

[PrettyCandles]

Jelonet is brilliant, but don't do what I did - make sure you remove both pieces of backing paper and put just the net on your nipple.

Lansinoh helps too, and you can put it on wounds, but I found nothing beat Jelonet for blood blisters.

When dd gave me blood blisters I found it helpful to feed using Avent nipple shields for a few feeds, just to give the skin a bit of a rest.

Also changing position completely can help a lot - try feeding lying down on your side.

I think someone has already mentioned hand-expressing.

[fisil]

thanks again. I was told by a midwife not to use Lansinoh etc. at the moment as I am treating thrush in my nipples with cannestan. But I guess if I'm giving the nipple a break, I could give the cannestan a break too.

[Chandra]

Carefulk with the breaks, I give mine a 24 hrs break and that was the end of breastfeeding. No amount of expressing, babymoons, etc could bring the production up to shape again . It may have been other thing but that when things started to go pearshaped (though I have had the blisters for 3 weeks already...)

[Flossam]

I'd carry on with the canesten. Best to try and get it all cleared up. Also thrush in an open wound wouldn't be too nice. defo keep putting it on. I hope you start to feel better soon, sounds like you are having a tough time of it, well done for carrying on!

[PrettyCandles]

Definitely continue with the canesten - thrush is IME more painful than blood blisters. I believe that thrush needs a damp environment to flourish, which is why we are always told to let our nipples dry before putting them away; the advantage of Jelonet (and, to a lesser extent Lansinoh) is that it keeps the skin moist and supple but without being damp - there is no water in Jelonet. So I think that applying Jelonet after Canesten shouldn't do any harm. Lansinoh, however, needs to be rubbed on, so might I suppose rub the Canesten away.

I wouldn't give the sorest breast more than one or two feeds complete break at this age. Try the nipple shields - using them didn't affect dd's feeding at all, other than to ensure that I was able to continue feeding her!

If you're leaking it will be very difficult to keep the nipples dry. Try taking a little teastrainer, removing the handle, and popping the sieve into your bra. That way nothing touches the nipple.

[dinny]

go topless round the house to get some air to your poor boobs. had the same when ds was v young. it healed v fast so long as air reached it. take care, Dinny xx

[fisil]

Thanks again for all your help. I went to a breastfeeding clinic as well this morning, and feel really confident that I can sort it out!

[dinny]

did you see Elizabeth, Fisil?

[fisil]

I went to St Helier - apparently that's my "local" hospital. Saw Sam.

[dinny]

there is a fab counsellor at St George's too. can't remember where you live - but know it's SW, isn't it?

[fisil]

Yes, I'm very close to George's too - used their EPU a lot.