Cracked nipples

[buffythebarbieslayer]

Milk is in and baby latching/feeding well. But I have deep cracks in each nipple which makes feeding sore.

Any tips on how I can get them to heal?

Hand express some milk and spread it over the nipple after each feed. Then layer a nipple cream over the top, there are various - lots of people say Lansinoh, I liked Dermamum. (If you don't finish the tube, use the rest as nappy cream / hand cream / lip balm for you.) Look for one you don't have to rub off before each feed, you will forget. And as much topless time as possible. I found mine healed in about ten days, with continued and enthusiastic feeding...

If your bra is aggravating things or uncomfortable, try the Bravado silk seamless, I wore mine day and night for about 9 months.

If you have cracks in the nipples, then the latch may well not be ideal. Could you call one of the helplines? (or someone on here can talk it over with you?)

Wet wound healing can really help - lots of nipple cream, and then clingfilm on top, to keep the wound clean and moist.

But really, the latch is probably not ideal (or maybe wasn't ideal earlier?). How old is your baby? Does it hurt during the feed? What leads you to believe the latch is good?

Lanisoh Lanolin cream (purple tube) bit expensive but worth every penny to me in early days and is also great for any grazes or chapped lips in future to use it up
Make sure you let the nipple dry too after your little one has finished sometime that helps rather than just putting away

Lots and lots of Lasinoh

Hi there. This is dc3 so been here before but nipples particularly sore this time!

Good latch indicated by wide mouth, bottom lip back and more areola visible at top.

Baby content, wet and dirty nappies.

She does have slight posterior tongue tie but can stick her tongue out etc. I really feel if I can get the nipples healed I've cracked it.

She was on the breast constantly for first few days (now day 5) but it was a traumatic birth and I haemhorraged. Maybe the latch was poor initially as I was out of it and that injured my nipples?

Really want to carry on as I breastfed my other two for a year. But I'm so tired and the soreness is getting me down a bit.

Yes have the Lanolin cream and been smearing nipples with breast milk too.

DD had a perfectly good latch and my nipples cracked to f**k too, OP. She was just at the breast round the clock.

I found the first week the most painful. But day 7, despite being cracked, my nipples started to desensitise. In the second week the pain subsided entirely. I think if you can hang in there for another week you'll be through it.

Can your partner or family take the baby out for a walk for an hour so that you can sleep and not feed? DM did this for me at the worst points of soreness.

it sounds you are doing so brilliantly, especially after a traumatic birth. Take care of yourself. Lavender oil (the £3 little bottles you get from the chemist) in a hot bath is wonderfully soothing and healing.

The problem possibly lies with the tongue tie.

Who described it as "slight"? This description is often used by HCPs who are not as clued up on ties as they could be and usually refers to the appearance of the tie.

Appearance is irrelevant, as is sticking the tongue out. It is function during feeding that is important, including lift at the back of the tongue.

My suggestion would be to find someone who knows what they are doing to assess it.

Have discussed it with several midwives Mawbroom. And my name has been referred to the lactation specialist at hospital. I'll give it another day or so (managing at the moment, just feeding isn't that enjoyable) but will see someone if it doesn't improve.

Just chatting on here helps. I'm so thrilled with my new baby but I'm weak and tired (anaemic after blood loss) and sore (episiotomy).

I don't know how I'll ever be functional again. Dh doing everything at the moment.

Glad your DH is there, let him hold everything together apart from feeding the wee one. Your body will heal, but it may take a little while. Do you have appetite, are you eating well?

Yes eating like a horse! Dh cooking nice meals with ironrich food.

This part I am enjoying after nine months of pregnancy sickness and nausea!

Good. I ate about four packs of smoked salmon in the days after DD arrived! if your energy doesn't pick up consider a liquid iron and mineral supplement, like Floradix. Good luck with everything

Ok, it sounds like the positioning etc might be ok, but the latch? Has anyone talked to you about the shape of the nipple at the end of the feed?

And is the baby's nose generally touching the breast, during a feed?