Boobie help needed!

[celebmum]

When I was pregnant with DS (now 22months) my boobs started leaking milk at about 16wks, by 22wks this had increased hugely and I was constantly changing pads/bras etc. my nipples got quite sore and weepy, bright pink and soo itchy. My nipples would literally stick to the pad/bra and bleed when i tried to seperate them. I kept telling my midwife, but she
assured me it was normal.

Whilst in active labour the hospital midwife asked me if I was intending to breast feed, I said yes but the explained about my sore nipples. She looked and was genuinely aghast at the state they where in, she got in a specialist BFing nurse who looked and said she thought I may not ba able to BF in that state. (cue lots of getting upset between contractions!) anyway the took swabs for infection (thrush ? I think?) which later turned
out to be nothing. I did try to feed DS but only managed 5weeks on the breast as it was really painful, I tried to express but the milk was tinged pink with my blood. Due to stress and I suppose lack of support I gave in and switched to FF. it took a long long time for my nipples to settle down, months infact.
So, I'm now 7wks pregnant again, my nipples are again highly sensitive and moist/tiny crusty bits... It's happening again isn't it?! What do I do, I can't face all that again.. I'm not a wuss they were genuine agony. My health visitor team all said they had never seen nipples so sore, swab after swab came back negative for infection tho so I felt no one knew what to do with me

Any advice please?

Ouch, poor you.

Lanolin cream can be good to keep nipples from getting dry, pawpaw cream can help with inflammation and soreness from not an infection.

Other than that, fresh air as much as possible, don't wash nipples with anything irritating or drying like soap etc.

If they are starting to crack and bleed during the pregnancy, I'd be seeing GP and even lactation consultant before baby comes... nipples can take ages to heal and starting off with them in that state sounds OUCH.

Good luck

This is highly unusual, OP - what a struggle you had :(

Dermatologist, I would say - referral from your HV or GP.

I used lanolin all the way through last time, and would come home from work and be topless and your right it helped..

My health visitor last time did mention referral to a dermatologist, not sure what happened then tho cos it obviously didn't happen

Sorry - these would not be good for the OP's situation.

They collect milk, and some women find them useful for that.

They are likely to make moist/crusty nipples worse because they create a soggy, plasticky 'greenhouse' for skin :(

If you had this problem whilst feeding I would suggest keeping them clean using just water and a clean flannel each time to dry with incase of any infection. Change your bra daily. Sit with them exposed but with a layer of lanisoh or even just vaseline on your nipples so they stay soft and don't then air-dry and crack.
Other then that I'm not sure but I second talking to a bfing consultant and maybe ask your GP to get you a quick appointment with a dermatologist.