Do you use nipple shields? Question re nipple pain and sterilising nipple shields

[Starlight85]

My DD is 4 weeks old and I started using nipple shields when she was around a week old because I was really sore and bleeding. We found out she had a tongue tie that was sorted out around two weeks ago. I have carried on using the shields for some feeds as she seems more content when I do.
I was advised to sterilise the nipple shields and have been using Milton to do so. However I'm sure one of the breast feeding councillors told me you don't have to sterilise them and in fact the Milton might make my nipples sore. For the last few weeks my nipples have felt bruised and I have burning type pain in them all the time not just when feeding and also sometimes pain that I can only describe as a kind of stabbing pain. Are these normal types of pain or could It be in sensitive to the Milton? How do you keep nipple shields clean if you don't sterilise?

[sycamore54321]

Not an expert but that sounds a bit like thrush.

I use shields and scrub then with dishwashing liquid then sterilise in the steam steriliser like for bottles, or else boil them in a saucepan for five minutes. I know some people say you don't need to sterilise breastfeeding equipment but I much prefer to be cautious.

[sycamore54321]

Adding that I also sterilise the case for them and store them in it when not in use.

[ExplodedCloud]

Mine used to sit in a bowl of cold water and Milton (changed frequently) between feeds but I never had a reaction like you describe.

[Starlight85]

Thanks, sycamore after reading about the symptoms of thrush, I think it might be that! I did mention it to the health visitor but she didn't suggest that! Now it's the weekend should I just wait to get an appointment with the Dr Monday or do I need to see someone over the weekend?

[ImYourMama]

I use nipple shields as DD was premature and couldn't latch without them. You absolutely need to sterilise them but we have a steam steriliser, so no chemicals to react to, have you tried that? They're pretty cheap if you get a microwave one? We have the tommee tippee stand alone one

[Starlight85]

ImYourMama do you sterilise after each use? We do have a steam steriliser, once you've sterilised them in that do they just stay sterile until you use them? I have 4 shields, so could I do them all at once and then just use them when I need them? I think what put me off the steam steriliser was that it said things inside are sterile until it's opened, so I didn't know if that meant you had to resterlise each time you wanted to use one?

[gazingatthestars]

I sterilised in an electric steriliser like i would a bottle. Clean and sterilise after each feed. I used to buy loads of them. Bf for 18 months on them.

[gazingatthestars]

Oh and we'd sterilise cases too so could put them into case after then could carry about.

[gazingatthestars]

Ps you can get cream for thrush from chemists - daktarin

[Nickname1980]

I was told you don't have to be too militant about sterilising bf'ing stuff. I don't know how true that is.

I use them for repeated feeds in a row - maybe four? - before I clean them. And keep them in my bra. Then wash with dish soap and sterilise in a steam steriliser.

Your pain does sound like thrush, as a pp said. See your gp about it. And I hope bf'ing improves

[Starlight85]

I'm a bit annoyed as I've had this nipple pain along with sharp kind of shooting pains in my breasts for maybe a couple of weeks and have mentioned it to the health visitor, breast feeding counsellor etc they just said that could be the let down or just normal pain etc. Reading more about it I'm sure it's thrush and maybe in my ducts too? Baby also seems a bit fussy going on so maybe she has it in her mouth too, I don't want to put a light on to check so will check her in the morning. I wish I'd posted on here sooner so it wasn't a weekend and I can't contact my GP. I don't think it's really an emergency to contact an out of hours GP but now I know this pain could be helped I'm struggling with the idea of having to wait until Monday to get any treatment! Especially if DD does have it too, I don't want her to be uncomfortable or sore for any longer than she has to be!

[gazingatthestars]

You can get treatment for thrush from chemists as I said - ask at the counter for cream. You can self treat and see if makes any difference then get an app for Monday.

[gazingatthestars]

It's called daktarin and you just rub it on your nipples as per instructions on the packet.
If baby has white patches in her mouth then you'll need to treat her too with daktarin oral gel (also u can get this from chemists and don't need to see a GP).