Help - sore nipple after 11months bf - what's going on?

[Eeek]

After lots of initial problems I've been happily bfing my ds for the past 11 months but just recently one nipple has got really sore and I don't know why or what to do about it. He already has his top 4 teeth and middle bottom 2 so teething seems unlikely as the cause. I don't think it's thrush because when I had that before my nipple went bubblegum pink - now it's more an angry red, but white just after a feed. Its worst when he latches on but its not great for the whole feed. Any ideas?

Oh Eeek - me too!! me too!! Ds is 14 months (8 teeth) and I have the same thing all of a sudden. Left nipple blimmin agony. Any ideas - anyone??

Is he latching on properly???? Babies can become lazy! And it can be on one side only. Do you unlatch him and try to reposition him???? Tricky at that age I know !

I developed a similar problem when breastfeeding ds2, but I had it in both nipples. I spoke to our local NCT breastfeeding person, and she suggested it was probably as a result of ovulation. I had my first period when ds2 was 10 months old. Not sure if this is the case for you but the pain was awful for a few days before ovulation, hit its peak around ovulation, and then got slightly less painful until my period started and then it disappeared until ovulation, and so on.

Hope this helps.

I had a similar problem too - very painful on both sides when my dd was about 13 months. Eventually it turned out I did have thrush - and indeed I did have very red and itchy nipples. Treatment for me and dd from the doctor pretty much sorted it out. I've also had problems more recently because I have eczema and the skin around my nipples can become very dry and itchy and sore after my dd feeds. I use a moisturiser immediately after my dd feeds to help - but this doesn't sound like your problem.

The teeth thing is definitely an issue - my dd is 15 months and has 16 teeth! And I have teethmarks after every feed - when her teeth first came through I got very sore, but I think in the meantime I have altered the positioning a bit and also my skin has just toughened up and we're back to pain-free, enjoyable feeds.

Oh, I'm so pleased to see I'm not alone, and grateful for your thoughts. Pupuce I think the latch is OK but I'll check better on the next feed. I noticed this am that he does latch on and then seems to slip away a bit as he starts to feed so maybe you're right. I have been taking him off and trying again but he's not keen as you can imagine!

Pidge you have "teethmarks"???! Oh, my god, poor you! When his other teeth came through I got a bit sore for a few days and then it eased but this has been much worse and going on for over a week.

Pupuce - I'm (reluctantly) planning to cut out the mid-day feeds as I'm back to work in a fortnight Do you think it'll help or make matters worse?

I got a really painful nipple at aroung this stage and I think it was due to feeding after solids - remnants of food irritated the nipple. It was more like eczema. Anyway, the GP prescribed hydrocortisone cream which cleared it up ( he initially said it was a sign I should stop feeding, but he is not a B/F supporter). That might be your problem eeek.

Hi Mears - thanks for the thought. Now you mention it I remembering you saying that on another thread. Was it one side only for you too?

Eyelash - will have to check my diary for the ovulation theory - v interesting thought.....

Periods didn't come back until last month so will have to wait till next month to see if the same thing happens.

Yes it was. Just the right one (I think). Cleared up really quickly with the hydrocortisone.

I had exactly the same thing when my daughter was 11 months. It's agony! My nipple never got red, just white, especially at the end of it and i got treatment for thrush for both me and babe it after a week or so it cleared up. I was surprised it was thrush, didn't know it caused whiteness on the nipple, but g.p. said it did and treatment worked, so hey ho.

I got this too and its happened again just this week. It got really sore and bleed and felt hot soemone was sticking a hot knife in my breast. It wasn't thrush. I just fed through it because I didn't want to stop bf remembering how much it hurt. It did get better!!!! Hold in there.