HHow long before the painful cracked nipples are better and breast feeding becomes a pleasure?

[Mamab33]

First time Mum. Baby feeds really well. Nipples are sore and cracked and constantly erect. Can't even wear a bra or a top so stuck indoors. How long does it take to heal and get into the swing of things? No problem with latch or tongue tie.

YY to lansinoh. Get some OP you won't regret it.

Thank you. Do you always have to use the Lansinoh or does it get to a stage where you don't need it anymore?

Just until your nipples toughen up a bit. I'm still feeding ds at 20 months and I've only ever had one tube.

I stopped the lansinoh with DD after a few weeks. With DS it took a bit longer as his latch wasn't great until he grew a bit bigger.

I hope your nipples are already getting better! I have slightly different advice to offer (doesn't everyone ) so I'll add it incase it helps-

-Cold tea bags on your nipples is supposed to be good (was recommended to me by a midwife because I have really soft fine skin)

• cabbage leaves for engorged breasted or blocked ducts

• as little nipple cream as possible. And before a feed wipe off lansinoh/nipple cream to make sure baby gets a good grip and it isn't too sloppy for them.

• breast milk (my personal favourite because it's cheap and easy) after feeding squeeze out a little milk & rub it onto your nipples.

My first few days feeding DS I had sore nipples. But he always had a giant thirst good deep latch.
DD it took about two weeks - she can be a bit of a nibbler.

Good luck op and well done for sticking with it through the pain . I find the first 6 weeks or so hard work and then after that it's much easier.

Depending on the shape of your breasts, I found that the trick was to avoid pain while feeding, then there was no damage from it. Then there's no 'time' for it to heal, it's just better and stays that way. You get the 'let down' ouchies for a bit, but it should then be comfortable. So work on the latch being deep, more areola visible above the top lip, none below the chin. Tuck baby right into your body so they are at the right angle, and if necessary re-shape your breast slightly with your fingers to help baby and reduce pain. If baby is really chomping away, try breast compressions to help the milk flow faster and leave baby just rippling away with their tongue and sucking gently.

Thank you so much. Your support has really helped. Things are getting much more comfortable. I am being much more careful with the latch even though it is difficult at times with a thrashing baby! Seems to be helping.

Can i just say, I think your amazing! My dd is 9 months. I'm still bf but didn't go through anything like you describe!
Glad it's getting easier.

Took me about 6 weeks I think. In the end the thing that cured my cracked (v painful) nipple was an anti fungal cream, maybe canestan. I had to wash it off before bf as not safe for baby to ingest but with that the crack healed in 2 days. Just wished I had it earlier!

4 months for me but I think I'm an extreme case!