How can I help my injured nipple recover when every time DS bfs the wound reopens?

[waspandbee]

Sorry, this is a bit of a horrible post. DS bit me about three weeks ago with his new top teeth (he's 11m). It's a nasty wound, about the size of a peppercorn, on the right side of my nipple, it is open and weepy and keeps getting infected. Feeding is very uncomfortable (understatement) but I am nowhere near weaning him, mainly because he is a very frequent night-feeder and my boobs are the best way for us all to sleep.

I have tried only feeding him from the other side and expressing from the injured side, but I only get an oz or two out even when the boob is hard, and also it is clear DS wants more milk than one boob can provide.

Any advice or ideas? I had cracked nipples when he was newborn and they did heal, but I can't remember how. This is different though because it is an open wound.

Thanks

Poor you that sounds horrid. It's been a long time since I breastfed and I only did foe 6 mo this each time so didn't deal with bites. I remember that when my nipples were cracked and bleeding they recommended squeezing outa little of your own milk and leaving it on the wound to air dry. So you could try that? It did work after couple of days of doing after each time i fed. The only other idea is could try a nipple shield to protect it til it heals. Lanasinoh was the cream I swore by but I am not sure of it's healing properties. Maybe call the health visitor for advice? Hope it gets better soon.

Try jelonet. You can get it from any pharmacy. Worked a LOT better than lansinoh (didn't do anything for me), when I had a crack in my nipple that was about 3mm deep and went round the whole side of one nipple. Just cut out a stamp sized square and apply it into the wound. Use a breast pad to hold it in place, and change both the jelonet and the breast pad regularly (about 4 times a day) / after each feed.

If the wound is infected, what has the Dr suggested? Have they done a swap or culture of the wound? It could be something like a staph. infection or indeed any number of bacterial infections.

Details on swabbing for staph. infections in breasts here

Thank you all for responding. Truthsweet - I haven't been to the doctors - I feel a bit silly now, but I thought it would just heal so I haven't made an appt. I will do now.

Jelonet also sounds excellent.

This evening I fed him in the rugby ball hold which meant there was no direct pressure on the wound which was a lot more comfortable.

Bit left field but I had a deep crack that wouldn't heal due to thrush, and I used silverette nipple cover things. Apparently silver is antibacterial and antifungicidal and it just allowed the wound to heal. I got them from a shop called breastfeeding heaven, online. Mine were half price and about £12 i think.

I feel your pain - I came on here to post something very similar then found yours. My 8 month old bit me with her new bottom teeth a week ago and my wound sounds much the same as yours. I went to the doctors yesterday as it was sooo painful, the whole nipple was red and swollen and the redness was starting to spread to the skin around it. They said it was very common for bite wounds to get infected, whether from an animal or a baby! They've given me antibiotics to try to clear the infection. Like you I don't want to give up breastfeeding so am soldiering on but... ouch! You sound much less of a wuss than me for taking it for 3 weeks and calling it 'uncomfortable'! (I dread every feed from that side, and expressing isn't much better as the pump rubs in just the place where the wound is) I'm also interested to see if there's anything I can do to help it heal, though the doctor just shrugged and said nothing topical would make much difference if it was infected. I'm finding taking ibuprofen about an hour before I think she'll be feeding off that side takes the edge off the pain. Hope you get some help at the doctors, let us know if you find anything else that helps the healing. Will look into some of these other suggestions.

I'd get to the doctors to check it's not infected, and second the suggestion for jelonet - it is wonderful at healing nipples.