Sensitive and stingy nipples

5 replies

wateraddict · 31/10/2010 23:08

Hi everyone,

I've looked through the thrush threads and a few others but not sure I have found a complete answer, can anyone help?

I have always had v sensitive nipples (some shower settings are a no-no) and I have had really horrid nipple pain on feeding. I had some latch problems and saw a BF counsellor and got loads of help but not sure if I can do more. Was advised to use nipple guards to help healing and now I can't dare to lose them, the pain without is torture.

I get stingy nipples on and off through the day and no breast tissue soreness at all, it's just at the nipples. Not sure if this can be thrush? DD (3 weeks) not showing much, only a very slightly white tongue. Green poos unfortunately but seems if anything to be overfeeding and putting on plenty of weight.

I appreciate I need to let the pain of BF settle down but I have been crying through the pain, especially on latching. I do get some needle like pains after a feed too. any ideas?

Thanks!

OP posts:

MrsTimeOut · 01/11/2010 05:19

Really not sure. Have you rung one of the bf support lines. Had thrush myself and had raw, v painful nipples but also had very deep pain in breast whilst feeding & for hr afterwards that went all the way through to my back. Do you have any whiteness in your nipples? I know one girl in my bf group had similar, but not all, symptoms to me & bf group leader thought it was Reynaurds. Although, haven't heard of any other lady with this. Sorry not much help; just wanted to give you a bit if support whilst everyone is a sleep. I'm sure you'll get lots of advice soon. You have been doing great to get to three weeks and your lo is obviously thriving.

MrsTimeOut · 01/11/2010 05:20

DomesticG0ddess · 01/11/2010 13:33

I had thrush with DS1; it was awful. I also had breast pain, but the pain can just be in your nipples. Also, DS1 never had any symptoms of thrush at all. I am now bfing 1 week old DS2 and paranoid about getting it again. If you do have it, then get some super high strength probiotics - last time, after about 3 weeks on anti-fungal tablets, it was a visit to the health food shop that did the trick. Probiotics, manuka honey and citric acid I think, in the end, but the key thing is the probiotics. I currently have: Biocare Bio-Acidophilus Forte, 24 billion bacteria per capsule.

I have got some pain in my left breast at the moment, but I think it is because I have a little nipple damage. The pain on latching on the left side is bad, but then it dies down, with thrush you just have it all the way through the feed. For me, it was like DS1 had a mouthful of broken glass, just awful.

To be honest, if the nipple guards are not affecting your DD's feeding, then I would just carry on using them.

Marylou242 · 01/11/2010 14:36

I'm not sure if it's thrush or not, but just wanted to say it took a good 6 weeks for my nipples to stop hurting with feeds and feeling sore all the time. The latch was fine and nobody could see any problems, it was just that my nipples weren't used to being feeding machines.

Maybe pop to the doctor's to get checked out for thrush? But you might find it settles down after a bit more time and your nipples toughen up.

Original poster

wateraddict · 01/11/2010 16:53

thanks so much everyone, it's tricky getting used to this feeding machine status. My pain threshold is somewhat poor I think. I just need to toughen up perhaps! MaryLou rol on 6 weeks for me then ;-)

The pain does ease during the feed which is encouraging, just get caught out the moment DD revs suckling up a gear - shocker! She has a pretty potent munch but that's good for her as I want to know she's thriving. MrsTimeOut it's useful to know how you felt. I get shoulder/arm twinges but these ease off too thankfully. I feel like I'm being fussy now even though it can bring tears to my eyes for a bit - thrush sounds absolutely no fun at all.

I can't see me losing the guards as they make such a difference and thanks so much for the support on using them DomesticGoddess - it's working so far so why not? I hoe you feel better soon too. I'm expressing enough each day for a evening feed which my OH can give, which gives him Daddy time and precious extra sleep for me.

thanks so much everyone, I'm going to stick it out and see what happens. Here's to an easier time of it for us all!

OP posts:

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