4 day old DD2 and cracked/bleeding nipples

[MATB1]

The early days with dd1 and breast feeding were a bit of a struggle in that she used to bob on and off but we persevered and I bfed her til 18 months.

Dd2 is 4 days old and I'm in agony. We didn't have the same bobbing on and off and I feel a tiny bit more savvy in terms of feeding overall - but my nipples are scabby and bleeding. Whilst the first 10 seconds of a feed are generally the worst the rest of the feed is still a bit painful too. I suspect her latch wasn't great in the first day or so (lips sucked in) but I think it's better now even though I'm not sure she's taking big enough mouthfuls.

So do I just plough on with the reassurance that in a few days the pain will be a distant nightmare? Midwife is coming for day 5 check tomorrow so I can ask her then - but with DD2 feeding every 1.5-2hrs that feels like a long way off!

I feel your pain. My ds is 14 days old and although things have improved, my nipples are still store. What helped a lot was imprioving the latch, my ds struggles to latch deeply which results in sore nipples.

Show your latch to midwife tomorrow. Also apply breastmilk to nipples after feedings and use lanisoah. Let your nipples air dry after feedings. Good luck

And using the "nipple sandwich"
Technique helps too. If you google it there are some videos, websites explaining how to do it. Or the "nipple twist" technique

I've had my boobs permanently out - probably been a bit slack with the lansinoh this time.

She was checked over for tongue tie on her day 1 check.

I think she's feeding well enough it's just bloody sore. I remember scabbing and bleeding last time bit can't think how long it lasted and am sure it didn't happen this early - but then I don't think dd1 fed quite as well (though never lost any weight at the various weigh-ins).

Thank you all though.

I second getting her checked for tongue tie. DS's wasn't diagnosed for ages (I was expressing nearly every feed by then!).

In the meantime, Multimam compresses are brilliantly soothing once or twice each day (get them from large Boots stores) and Lansinoh in between for maintenance!

Thank you.

Nipple sandwich and nipple twist sound more painful than I can bear at the mo!!! But I will take a look.

Last time I remember feeling elated in general so didn't care about the pain as such - today I'm just tired and sore (but determined!).

Posterior tongue tie is often missed by midwives. Might be worth talking to a lactation consultant if the pain and bleeding persists. What general area are you?

Hydrogel pads (from fridge or freezer) are very soothing and promote healing whilst keeping the wounds clean.

Thanks all. It's actually eased off a bit as the day has gone on. I think the lack of moisture was making them worse but my milk is deffo in now and I've slathered them with lansinoh so wet scabs seem to be less painful than dry ones (sorry tmi).

Am in the south east.

Hi

For the first few days I had really painful nipples, one was cracked and every feed I was curling my toes with the pain. DD wanted to latch on all the time. Latch was not great, but worked on it with midwife and feel good factor website.

Also - Breast milk on nipples let it air dry, then liberal lanisoh. Paracetamol and ibuprofen- needed them anyway for afterpains and stitches. Milk came in on day 4 and she started going a bit longer between feeds, giving my poor nipples a rest. Latch got better and DD is now16 days old. Nipples pain free and crack healed. Fingers crossed we have feeding sorted.

Hope it gets better for you soon too.

Moist wound healing is recommended now -see kellymom for why.

Hope things are on the up for you now, but you're right to chat things through with your midwife. If she can see how the baby latches on she may be able to check if anything needs adjustment.

How's it going MATB1?

Jelonet moist dressing helped me a bit, cheaper than multimam. The pharmacisf in boots sold it by the sheet - cut it to size with scissors.

So it had eased off - bit then last night I tried to feed laying down again and it's set things back so it seems it might've been the positioning of laying down that's made it worse.

Midwife didn't really have much to say - she said she thought the latch looked fine and to experiment with different holds. Then referred me to a local breastfeeding support group which I may pop along to next weds when it's on.

Hey ho. I'm kind of used to the latching pain now so hopefully it won't be long til these bad boys toughen right up.

Dd2 is obv feeding ok as she'd put weight on at her 5 day check .

Thank you for checking in on me

Next week is a long time to wait. Are you sure there isn't another drop in session before then? If you can afford it it might be worth seeing a private lactation consultant.

Ouch. I remember the pain.

I think I'm ok. It's only the initial latch that's sore now, once she gets going the feed is fine. I just need to keep them lubed up I think.

Where do you get jelonet from?

I had a lot of pain with let down which I think I confused with latch pain. It was just as painful when expressing. It lasted approx 50 seconds. It disappeared after 8 weeks or so.