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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Starting to dread him waking up nipples are so sore - help

17 replies

jobramm · 02/10/2010 12:49

Hi

This is my first post on mumsnet and doing it whilst rocking a newborn so sorry if it's a bit illegible!

Just become a mummy for the first time and DS is now 15 days old. Am bf and seems to be going OK; he is a really good feeder, every 3 hours or so, sleeps well in between and had put on 11.5ozs since birth (weighed on wed).

My problem is that my nipples are so sore. Had some problems with latch at the beginning where I had cracked nipples and "burn" marks where he had latched incorrectly. They have healed now though, it's just that they are sore, especially my right side. I'm using the lanolin cream which seems to help some. Is it normal to be sore until I "toughen" up or am I doing something wrong? Starting to dread him waking up to feed.

Any suggestions?!
Sorry about the long post! xx

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 02/10/2010 12:52

Get checked for thrush - see your GP!

StealthPolarBear · 02/10/2010 12:53

Sorry that was a bit curt! If you had sore nipples caused by poor latch, then got it sorted and still have pain even though nipples ahve healed then I'd suspect thrush.
Congratulations on your DS :)

thisisyesterday · 02/10/2010 12:53

has he been checked for tongue tie? have tyou seen a breastfeeding counsellor who has watched you latch him on and feed to make sure your positioning etc is ok?

BosomsByTheSea · 02/10/2010 12:54

Hi jobramm and welcome! Congrats on your DS.

Are they pink looking or dry looking? I had thrush on my nipples undiagnosed for about 4 weeks and it was total agony. You can have it without any sign in DS's mouth though he may have a white tongue.

You can buy Daktarin oral gel over the counter to put on your nips before and after each feed and it is safe for DS. It worked for me in aout 2 days and afterwads I couldn't believe I put up with the pain for so long!
Hope you get it sorted.

Lansinoh is also fab though it will ruin all your tops with twin oily patches!

BosomsByTheSea · 02/10/2010 12:54
Original poster
jobramm · 02/10/2010 13:02

Hi

Thanks guys.

Booms - They are very pink looking - especially on the nipple itself. How do I know if it's thrush?

Yesterday - how do I go about getting hold of a breastfeeding counsellor? Didn't know there were such things! Smile

xx

OP posts:
BosomsByTheSea · 02/10/2010 13:09

If they are v pink, suspect thrush. Go get Daktarin TODAY. You can use paracetamol for the pain too. Make sure you say the gel is for you (they won't give it to you for DS because it is a choking hazard if you squeeze a lump into his mouth) but is absolutely fine for you to put on your nipples and him to have a bit that way. I was prescribed it when DTs wereonly about 10 days. Also Canasten on nipples between feeds works well but you have to wash it off.

la leche League will put you in touch with bf counsellor.

Original poster
jobramm · 02/10/2010 13:13

Thank you. Think may be thrush - been looking at pictures on the net. Trying to get a GP appointment for this pm to get it sorted.

Thank you so much for the advice and quick replies! xx

OP posts:
BosomsByTheSea · 02/10/2010 13:16

Some GPs not good at spotting thrush on the nipples and don't even know you can get it there! Bear this in mind and don't be afraid to self-medicate (with over-the counter meds) if you need to.

MoonUnitAlpha · 02/10/2010 13:18

Daktarin gel is better for treating thrush in the baby's mouth than on your nipples, as it isn't designed to be absorbed through skin. You need to treat both yourself and your ds though or you'll pass it back and forth.

I was prescribed daktarin gel for my ds's mouth (midwife or GP can prescribe it, not sure if the HV can as he's so little) and canestan cream for my nipples. I found the cream was absorbed pretty well between feeds so didn't bother washing my nipples, just a quick wipe with a muslin if any cream was still visible.

BosomsByTheSea · 02/10/2010 13:20

But canasten tastes grim (don't ask!) You're right though, MUA, canasten worked well.

MoonUnitAlpha · 02/10/2010 13:26

And watch out for a thrush nappy rash too - as soon as the daktarin gel sorted out my ds's mouth thrush flared up on his bum.

Bosoms - I dread to think Grin

Original poster
jobramm · 02/10/2010 13:40

Lol - we won't ask Bosoms!

Will either the Caneston or Daktarin hurt him at all? Don't know what medicines he can have so little.

OP posts:
MoonUnitAlpha · 02/10/2010 13:50

DS was prescribed daktarin gel for oral thrush at 11 days old and is fine. As Bosoms says there is a choking risk if you shove a lump of it in his mouth so I was told to spread s little on my nipple for him to suck off and then after the feed spread a little around his mouth. The canestan cream goes on your nipples after a feed so your baby won't ingest any, and of course you can wash/wipe any residue off your nipples before the next feed.

MoonUnitAlpha · 02/10/2010 13:56

I found the Breastfeeding Network leaflet on thrush really useful www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/thrush-and-breastfeeding.html

Print it out and take it to the GP with you.

Original poster
jobramm · 02/10/2010 13:59

Thank you - sent the DH to get Caneston and daktarin. Printed off leaflet in readiness. Will see how it goes. I'll keep you posted. DS is waking up now so here we go again! xxx

OP posts:
mrsgordonfreeman · 03/10/2010 12:47

My GP prescribed a week's course of Fluconazole tablets for me which cleared the thrush.

I also noticed that my nipples healed up much faster once I had started the tablets and were completely healed by the end of the course, but that might have been a coincidence.

I second taking the leaflet in as one of the GPs at my surgery did not believe in nipple thrush. She does now...

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