Dry, cracked nipples!

[OdaBear]

This is just out of curiosity really. I exclusively breastfed my youngest son for 6 weeks, and have been mixed feeding him until now. He is 20 weeks old and he some topup breastfeeds during the day and gets breastfed during the night. He is mainly bottle fed, four 8oz bottles during the day.

With both my sons I never had any problems with sore, cracked nipples or boobs - up until about three weeks ago. Although they're not at all painful or sore, they've become incredibly dry and cracked! I can't figure out why, as he's been latching fine and feeding fine.

So just curious if any other mixed feeders have had similar issues? (Been using lots of Lansinoh).

Not got any experience but thought this might help

Thank you - this will help with the general skankiness of my nips!

Does sound like you've got it a bit rough at the mo. Do you think ringing one of the helplines might be of benefit?

Hi JJJ,

No I've never had much luck with advice from bf helplines really. Have never been able to exclusively bf, despite historically having excellent latch, constantly offering boobs etc etc. Although I realise that my now crusty nipples betray the possibility of a bad latch, they're not infected and don't hurt. I guess the lack of pain us due to several months of bf and my nips being used to it. My son does like to bite down on them, chew them and generally take the absolute piss. But he's a baby, they're my boobs, and he'll be grown up before I know it.

Its s shame that you've not had much luck with the helplines. Maybe try a bfing support group?

If he's biting and chewing, have you read the biting info on kellymom?