Day 5 nipple wound - any advice welcomed.

[redllamayellowllama]

My lovely DD was born on Friday and am determined to breast-feed her as I did DS.

Unfortunately, the first couple of days of bad latching (too tired, too worried about how small she was to amend it) have left me with a cracked nipple at the base on one side and a big open wound on the other.

I can just about feed on the left side and have had the midwives remind me of a proper latch today. The right side brings me to tears each time she feeds - the pain is unbearable. I've been pumping the right side every 3 hours and am giving her a bottle of EBM at every other feed. I have a breast shell (can't bear to have anything touching the right nipple) on the right side which I think is helping the healing.

Lansinoh doesn't seem to be doing anything on the right hand side, but helps on the left.

I'm really worried that she's going to get nipple confusion and end up rejecting the breast so am eager to get the right nipple healed and in good working order once more. Any advice on how to do this or how long it might take to heal?

Sorry to hear you are having this problem. Have you tried nipple shields whilst you feeduntil you heal? Also breast shells to protect your nips when wearing clothing. Also def recommend getting the air to your nipples, does seem to help heal. Lansinoh also say to not let nipples air dry so now I dab dry with muslim before putting on the cream.

It really hurts but saline soaks about 4 times a day work well. I did this recently and it made me want to gnaw my arm off but I healed quickly. Just warm water and table salt and dangled the boob in for up to 5 mins and then lansinoh with jelonet dressing (you can get it from a pharmacy)

Hth

www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/nipplehealing.html

take painkillers and try to keep the wound moist

good luck

I had the same thing on both sides and was told to take paracetamol every 4hrs and ibuprofen in-between. It helps a bit with the pain. Once the latch is sorted out it will improve fast but not until then. It took about 6/7 weeks to correct my bubba's latch and then they healed but it was agony until then for every suck. See if your hospital has a breast feeding workshop and go each week until you're sorted. Also ask as many different midwives as possible because they all say things and show you things in a different way and it took a while before I got someone with the time and patience to help me get the latch right for my baby and wasn't just doing the same generic thing for each person.

Thanks all.

Am using a breast shell on the right side which is making a big difference.

Have dabbed saline on them and will have a go at saline soaks tomorrow.

Midwives inspected my latch today and have reminded me of the correct way to do it - had a pain-free feed on the left side this evening which was quite a revelation.

Continuing to pump the right side - the wound looks a bit better. Less pain upon touch, but is is still open. I saw the recommendation to keep the wound moist, but will it heal if it is moist or just remain open?

The midwife suggested trying a cup rather than a bottle. Any thoughts on this?

Any other words of wisdom gratefully received.

TIA

it will heal if you keep it moist

the alternative is it scabs over and then the scab will come off every time you feed

with DC2 I had a big gash and it did heal, just took a while