Help needed: non-healing nipples <graphic>

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I have some sores on my nipples, and I need to heal them fast.

New baby arriving in a few weeks, and I am getting worried about BF with non-healing scabs, even before baby has latched on for first time...

I think they came about when I let toddler DS breastfeed a couple of times when he was poorly recently. We had recently weaned, so maybe his latch was bad.

So that's the probable cause. Such a shame - until we weaned, I had nips of steel.

The sores kind of scab over, but on one nipple they are are just staying there (aren't scabs supposed to fall off once healed?!). On the other nipple, they get weepy underneath (or is this milk?), and then the scab comes off and nothing has healed. In fact the area has grown from re-scabbing.

Oh, and I should mention, they don't really hurt, even against my clothes. Really bizarre. But I don't think that will hold true if anyone tries to feed off them.

I have no access to Lansinoh here. Do I need to go to a doc, or is there anything else I can do?

If it's getting weepy, I'd go to the doc's to check it's not infected and see if there's something they can give you for it if it is. Good luck and congratulations in advance

Go to the doctor and get some Lansinoh from the Internet so you've got it ready for when the baby comes.

Good luck.

Thanks - hope the doctor will be able to give me something I can take while pregnant (unlike for this cold that won't go away...)

Trying salt water rinse in the meantime, saw that one on kellymom.com

I'd talk to the docs about infection, yes, as others have said.

How long ago did you BF your toddler?

Some people have better luck with moist wound healing. You can buy moist wound plasters at a chemist, or use any sort of nipple cream (or olive oil) on your nipples, then cover them with clingfilm and skin tape. The goal is to keep your nipples clean and oily.

Hi NotQuiteCockney - last time I BF toddler was about 2 weeks ago I think. He didn't do that much damage himself, but my nipples kind of got stuck to my bra a few days later, and I didn't realise when I took it off... . It's been downhill since then.

Doctor was very helpful this morning - she's taken a swab to identify the infection, if any. And in the meantime gave me a kind of patch to put on that will allow air to get through for healing. Fingers crossed I'll be fine in a week or two.

Didn't know the olive oil/clingfilm method, will bear it in mind for when baby comes!

I did the sticking damaged nipple to bra trick a few days after DD was born and it did take 2.5 weeks to heal over. I bathed with lavender water once a day in addition to moist healing and lots of airing (read wandering around house with boobs out!)
Feeding was possible but not enjoyable.

Moist healing works best without any airing.

I think the current thinking is, most wounds do better kept moist (and clean!) but certainly mucous membrane wounds should be kept moisty.

The clingfilm is partly there to keep your damaged skin from getting stuck to your bra/breastpad.