BF advice- don't want to give up but sore!

[beckyg123]

Sam is 7 weeks old and still breastfeeding with occasional expressed bottle. I still have a really sore cracked nipple on the right and can't get rid of it... its starting to get me down. The left side is totally fine now and completely pain free.
I've been going topless a lot- using masses of lansinoh and jelonet. I think our latch is fine but crack opens up when he pulls nipple back. Spoke to gp who just suggested it might all be too much hassle and why not switch to formula! I have not come this far to give up now! Other than the crack on one side its all going well and Sam is thriving, following his growth curve exactly!

So... any advice on how to heal this crack? its so comfortable feeding from left side and really want to have the same on the right!

As long as expressing on the cracked side isn't too painful, maybe you could do that for a couple of days and then only feed on the good side just to give the crack a bit of time to heal?

Well, well done to you for not listening to your shit GP! No wonder rates of bf are so low. Mine was equally as crap.

No expert, but how long has it been like that? May be that it is infected and you need antibiotics? I have heard of this.

MOist healing is apparently the thing, so Lanisoh is def the way to go. Personally I ike Kamillosan.

Hope it feels better soon.

I am at 15 weeks and it is fab now.

I'd do what Mull said and well done for keeping on going!!!!!!!!!! Get through this and you'll never look back...DD and I and 10 months and still loving it x

Thanks girls- its been like this since the start- it was a big crack which bled at every feed then started getting better for 2 weeks but for last 3 weeks its opened up again and not getting any better.

Mull i have tried expressing but think it makes it worse- certainly feels worse than DS's latch!

nicky and loving i'm really hoping to get to your stage- so many people have told me how great it is :) just want this crack to go away! it makes me cry at some feeds :(

The GP did examine it and didn't see any signs of infection or thrush but not got huge faith that she knew what she was looking at! I was shocked at what she said!

Hi becky

Firstly - I feel for you! And secondly a huge congratulations for getting this far and not giving up. I had very sore nipples with DS1. Can I ask what you're using to express? I used an Avent hand pump which was very gentle and kind of massaged the nipple area.

I had to express for a few days in the beginning to get me through. I also changed feeding position - you don't say if you've tried this? I tried the 'rugby ball under the arm' position in other words babies head at your nipple and the body under your arm away from you. I found it took the pressure off the really sore bit as it was a completely angle. I also found a v-cushion was quite handy for support generally when bf-ing.

Your GP sounds pants, frankly.

Good luck, I bf for 9 months and once it was established it was great.

completely different angle

I'm a bf mum with a 15 week dd. I'm also a GP and so ashamed of some of my colleagues. Ffs!

Anyway I'll avoid turning this into a rant. Had a crack recently courtesy of dodgy latching in 12 week growth spurt marathon feeding which has now healed. What worked was saline bathing post feeds for 5 mins - made me want to gnaw my arm off but very effective and dr jack newman's all purpose nipple ointment which I got my own GP to prescribe - 15g betnovate ointment, 15g bactroban ointment, 1 pack of canesten 10% ointment mixed together by the pharmacist. Is there another GP in the practice who could prescribe this for you. I started to see big improvements with this combination by 4 or 5 days.

becky are you me? i hhave exactly the same issue... am feeding quite happily providing i remember to take my painkillers regularly. my gp also suggested i switch to formula - grr! what are they on?!

hope your nipple gets better soon.

Thanks for all the advice :) Feel a bit more positive now.
mollycuddles i will speak to one of the other GPs in practice- my regular GP is on holiday so been seeing another- mine should be fine for this! i hope :)

jobobpin i always feed rugby ball style as can't get the hang of cradle! Boobs too big and nipples round the corner! lol! Been trying out lying down and feeding and did this for most feeds today- this seemed to take the pressure off a little but still sore! Got the tommee tippee manual pump.

Oh... mollycuddles is saline just salt and water? will try this too!

emster lol at you being the same- well not really lol just AGH for you too. Looks like we have some great advice here :) I've not taken painkillers for feeding just cry and wince! Didn't even cross my mind to take them- might do that for a few days till i get this sorted out. Hope your nipple gets better soon too x