Cracked nipple, can I feed from one boob? please help!

[paulbrom]

I posted a few days ago about sore nipples, and I thought it was thrush - got topical antifungal for me and nystatin for DD over the weekend. The burning sensation has gone and the right nipple is much better and I can feed as normal, but the left still v sore. Yesterday in the bath I noticed a big crack in it and I just CAN'T feed from the left boob, it's too painful. I've tried altering positions but they all hurt.
Managed to express a tiny bit today as boob about to explode but the crack is in such a position that it started to bleed :(
I had a crack in the other nipple when DD was tiny and managed to feed through it, the pain would get a bit less after a minute or so but this time it just gets worse.
DD is 9mo - can I stop feeding from the left breast and carry on feeding from the right? She has an evening feed and maybe one during the night but that's it. Don't really want to stop altogether if i can help it.
TIA

Nipple shields-available from anywhere that sells Avent stuff, including Tesco, can be sterilised.

I should have said, I tried this morning, but they're miles bigger than my nips! is there a way round that?

I've used nipple shields for the last 4 weeks or so for the exact same problem. The nipple does not fill the shield but when the baby sucks, it pulls up into it (like when you express). They look strange, but i promise they work. I bought the Boots own ones which i find really good and feeding is virtually pain free. I haven't looked back!

Thanks, will try again! Baby looked bemused at first, then she just laughed and started rolling off my lap. Will try when she's sleepy and easier to fool :)

ok just tried - baby is like wtf? and threw nip shield on the floor - any suggestions?

Pump and bottle?

I switched to one sided feeding when DS was about 11 months for the same reason.

He cut a new tooth and it just seemed to change his whole latch.

I just offered him the one side for each feed and in a day or two it seemed to be up to full amounts from that one side.

The sore boob took a while to heal and was full for a few days - I tried not to express much so that it dried up quicker. You may need extra pads on that side when you're feeding as I tended to flood a bit!

We fed from the one side for months until he weaned and it didn't seem to make any difference in the long run.

What about the size of your boobs? Were they equal? Mine are stupidly big from feeding (H cup from E before :( ) and I'm worried the unused one might go down and the other one stay huge, you would REALLY notice it...I suppose I could pad the smaller one, but I don't know how many chicken fillets that might take!