Help me- huge crack in nipple, in so much pain!

[louloutheshamed]

My ds2 is 3.5 weeks old and ebf. He feeds great from the right side but the left is agony.

I have a huge crack on the left nipple. I am going through Lansinoh at a ridiculous rate, but I don't think it's getting any better. The first few seconds of when he latches on that side are agony, but it is still quite painful during and after the feed.

I know it must be down to positioning and attachment but I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I can't believe how it can be so painfree on one side and so sore on the other. I'm worried about the left side getting engorged as we both prefer the other side and sometimes I just feed 'just enough' from the sore side. I'm also worried about infection because of the huge open crack.

What can I do?

I fed ds1 for 18m so really thought I'd be better at it this time!

I had this! It will heal!
Firstly get a bf support worker out to help with the position- don't feel embarrassed as your LO is learning too and each baby is different. Keep up with the cream & change breast pads with every feed. Try holding in different positions to see if you can angle away from the sore patch. The thing that helped me most was let my nipple get lots of air too speed up the healing. Also, rubbing in a little breast milk will help. I found as my LO grew, it became easier because her mouth was bigger so hang in there lol x

Oh & take paracetamol to get you through x

I think I remember reading something about an 'exaggerated latch' when I had a similar problem. So get him to latch on when his mouth is as wide open as possible so you can position away from the sore bits. I guess re-positioning is the key to help it heal.
Hopefully someone who knows more will be along shortly.

Ooch bless you. Xx I struggled with no 3, all baby's are different. He'll get there.
Try feeding lying down or rugby ball hold (videos on u tube)
Let a llittle milk dry on the crack, Try to keep nipple uncovered with a bit of lansinoh on Lansinoh on before feed too.
Some people have great success with nipple shealds (I
never tried but probably should have.
Take paracetamol
I'd also get someone to come and check things, and make a plan with them, call hv and get numbers for bf
support.

Your doing great, it does get easier honestly. ( dd3 weeks)

Hope that helps
X

Make sure you air your effected nipple as much as possible. It took 2 weeks for my cracked nipple to fully heal. Paracetamol, plenty of liquids, rest & a healthy diet. Carry on taking Pregnacare for a few weeks more. Oh & I'd second putting a bit of bm on your nipple. It's nature's elixir.

It gets better & better, promise! X

Ouch....you poor thing :( I had this when DD was 2 weeks old ( except I thought mine was a blister and squeezed and picked at it!!)

Mine took 2 weeks to heal. So I promise it may feel like the pain will last forever, but it will get better.

I did the following (combo of mn and hv advice) :
Lansinoh before and after every feed
Rub in some bm as well
Go tpless to air it as much as you can
Start on the bad side when baby is hungriest and latch is strongest
Put baby into a different position temporarily to take pressure off the crack
Get to your nearest breast feeding clinic / cafe ASAP!
Grit teeth and count to 10 & slow deep breaths when baby is latching on the bad side (I found the initial latch excruciating and cried through it most nights!)
Never get lazy with the latch at the point, sustained bad latching at night set mine off. Was too stubborn to get help to start out / thought I knew it all / didn't see the crack til it got really bad as had thought bf was meant to hurt

I hope it heals soon. I know how miserable it is. It WILL get better very soon. You're doing a great job xxx

I found the gel breast pads really helped, Dr said to keep it moist and not to air it.