Severe nipple pain

[WillowsTree]

Hi, I recently posted having feeding difficulties with DD and her dropping weight centiles. I am now aware that the weight in itself is not an issue and is in fact very common, but I am now having such a hard time breastfeeding that I feel I need some advice.

DD is 14 weeks and EBF. She has recently been very fussy on the breast, pulling on and off for a while. Originally she was checked for thrush which GP didnt think she had. However, this week I noticed white patches on her lips and within 2 days of this, my nipples have been in total agony and have developed very large cracks on both sides. Have been prescribed Daktarin and have been using it since Friday, but the pain is so excruciating that I am in tears at every feed. Top this off with DD pulling off (whilst still sucking REALLY hard) I am reaching the end of my tether. Today she seems to have been feeding constantly so I feel even more ripped to pieces.

DD is constantly unsettled (am also on a dairy free diet incase intolerant to dairy) and every time she cries DP tells me she is hungry. Its really starting to bring me down as he doesnt seem to realise how much pain I am in. Even feeding doesnt make her happier.

I suppose what I hoped is that someone had a magic wand, but if there is any advice on how to get over this stage I would really appreciate it.

Are you both being treated for thrush? It's important that both you and baby are treated. As other wise you'll just reconnect each other.

I'm not sure you've been given the most effective treatment either. Have a read hear, look at the bottom link for the thrush leaflet. You can print it and take to your gp if needed. www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/thrush-and-breastfeeding.html

Thanks, will have a look at the link. I assumed the daktarin was for us both as have been advised to apply it to my nipples 4x a day before a feed? Who knows, will prob have to call GP again tomorrow...off to read the link now.

There should be daktarin oral gel for your baby's mouth and daktarin cream for you to use on your nipples. I used these alongside a long course of fluconozole which finally cleared it up. It's agony! I really feel for you. Try paracetamol, it helps a bit whilst you get sorted.

You should insist on the fluconozole and definitely take along the leaflet - which recommends it as well. You need to make sure you get the gel for your baby as well or you'll just get reinfected. Thrush can make babies mouths sore which could explain why she's having small, frequent feeds and pulling off a lot.

PS if you have really sore nipples that hurt whenever they brush against your clothing, try some Avent breast shells. They are plastic shells which shield your nipples from your clothing. I found these really helpful when I had cracks due to thrush.