Nipple pain at 16 weeks

[BelleStar]

My DD is 16 weeks old and we've never had any problems with breastfeeding. However, for the last 2 days I've had sharp stabbing pains in my left nipple whilst feeding, which is at it's worst when she latches on. It hasn't got better or worse since it suddenly started. The pain is only in the nipple. There's nothing visible - it looks exactly the same as my right nipple! Does anyone have any ideas as to what this might be and what I can do about it!? I have expressed a couple of times and fed her from a bottle instead of my left breast as pumping doesn't hurt. Nothing has 'spread' to my right breast. Might it be a bit of bruising or an invisible cut? Might it be caused by a sloppy latch as I haven't been as free and easy with feeding as we've been visiting family over Christmas? Should I express until it gets better? Having not had any problems so far this has really thrown me! Any ideas would be gratefully received! Thanks.

Almost certainly thrush if you have B/F up until now without problems. Get treatment for you and baby ASAP cos it will spread and it is Bl**y painful.

Don't be brushed off by professionals! Some try to :-(

Nipple pain causes help sheet here and thrush helpsheet here. The thrush leaflet has a section that you can show to your GP if your sure it's thrush (see the nipple pain helpsheet first).

If you are expressing be careful to boil or steam sterilise the pump and bottles as thrush can be spread. Your DD will have to be treated as well to prevent reinfection but that is just some cream smeared in her mouth nothing scary

Hope you get it sorted soon.

Thanks for your prompt replies. I'll be sure to sterilise the pump after each boob!

Is it likely to be thrush even with no other symptoms (on me or dd)? I don't really want to be using medication unnecessarily, particularly on her. I'll have a read through the stuff and try and get to the doctors when they open on Tuesday.

Thanks again.