Trying to self-diagnose - help please!

[redllamayellowllama]

Have a 3 week old DD. We had some problems with her latch initially and I ended up with an abscess on one nipple. Lots of pumping, some antibiotics and the abscess is no longer infected, but there is still a big chunk of my nipple missing. Her latch is much better, but I am still quite sore on the bad side and it doesn't seem to be healing.

So, my let-down is becoming quite painful (a stabbing pain) and my nipple (only the abscess-ridden one) is starting to look a little pink. I'm wondering if I might have thrush - but would it be possible to have it only in one nipple? I had thrush with DS and it was agony, but can't quite remember the sensation to compare.

Any advice?

Apparently you can get thrush in one breast

Can you call a breastfeeding helpline?

Sorry to hear of your problems ... Sounds painful

kellymom always says that first things first, check the latch. I've always found that very very helpful, veen when I'd "cracked" it.

Perhaps you could be extra careful with the latch over the next few feeds and see if that helps? You are doing brilliantly to have kept going through this difficult start.

Would you consider going to discuss it with your GP?

I had a massive crack that took weeks to heal. No thrush or infection, it just took a long time because it was "in use" so often iyswim.

My problem was definitely ds's latch and we never got it completely sorted, although it ceased to be an issue as he grew bigger, so I think the advice to get that checked again is worth following.

If it's thrush, it will most likely transfer to the other breast as well after a few days. In my experience thrush hurts after feeding not really during. Perhaps its the nipple still recovering from the damage. Does lansinoh help? I would go to the GP if I was you, but sadly they are not always up to speed with breastfeeding issues.

speak to your health visitor as they are more up to date with breast feeding issues trust me i talked to my doctor who had not got a clue and spoke to my health visitor who put it right straight awawy

Thanks for your responses. Spoke to the NCT breastfeeding line yesterday who don't think it's thrush, but more likely to be a positioning issue. I think I just need to be meticulous with latch at each feed. DS used to just go for it and get it right from the off. DD was much smaller at birth and has a teeny-tiny mouth - wonder if this makes a difference?

Lansinoh is making a slight difference - guess I'm just going to have to ride this one out!