2 questions re: cracked nipples and EBM

[MissTea4Me]

Getting dd (now 6 weeks) on the boob has been a real battle--we're getting there, however:

1. What to do when a cracked nipple won't heal? One of mine seems to have a design flaw which causes it to crack every few days. I've had MWs and BF counsellor check latching, positioning etc. but this seems to happen regularly and I pump for a couple of days on that side until it heals up. This time it's been a week and no sign of healing up. I've tried using Lansinoh to protect it, not using it to try to get it to scab over, any suggestions?

1. Is it possible to overfeed on EBM? Because I'm expressing on one side dh is topping her up with the bottles after her last feed at night and I'm concerned he's stuffing too much in. Poked 7 ounces into her last night after she'd already had a bf and she's been quite pukey this morning. His attitude is that if she'll take it, then she's still hungry. He is more experienced with babies than I am but I'm wondering where all that milk can actually go in such a tiny person?

You could try Mother Mates for helping healing - gel pads a bit like you'd put on a blistr or burn. I'd send you a link but it never seems to work when I do it!

this might work...
\link{http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mother-Mates-Hydrogel-Breast-Feeding-Pads-BNIP_W0QQitemZ170064018217QQihZ007QQcategoryZ100977QQcmdZViewItem}

With regards to Cracked Nipple.. due to experience i would have to recommend these . When i had this problem a friend recommended them to me and i actually imported them from Italy as they are commonly used out their. Since then i came across them in the UK but this is the only company i am aware of that have them.

From personal experience i was COMPLETELY healed within 48 hours and NEVER did i crack again.. as when i felt the nipple getting tender i would pop the cup on for a while and it would prevent it from cracking. They are truly a godsend to BFing mums - well thats my opinion!

As with giving EBM i would say that you can actually overload a baby.. they are kind of designed to suck and would suck all day and night if you let them! If she is contented after a feed at the breast i really would not give her the EBM too. This could lead to a dip in your supply at night time because you are not get the stimulation required.

Okay will someone tell me what I'm doing wrong here?!!!

Anyway Miss T, you can cut and paste the page...

I used the breast shells (Avent do some) as recommeded by Dr Jack Newman and they worked a treat.

Thanks everyone mrs recycle I have the shells but the packet says only to leave in for 40 minutes can I wear them for longer?

Determination, she is usually still a bit grizzly after last bf but I have a hard time convincing dh that babies cry for easons other than being hungry. She seems to be on a reversed day/night schedule (sleeping lots in the day and wide awake at night) and I think she's just annoyed at being put to bed when she's wide awake.

you can get gel pads on prescription - hydrogel is proprietary name i think. i used to get them in boots but they needed 24hrs to order them in. i had terrible cracked nips too, ds mouth was just too small at first, it was fine once he grew a bit i found feeding underarm minimised injury. here is good info

great link fishie, thanks a lot

Determination, if you're still there, I got the Silverettes. I balked at the price to start with but then I reckoned the Lansinoh is a tenner a tube and I'm running through that stuff like water. Do you wear them 24 hours? And do you have to keep putting the bicarbonate of soda paste on them or is that just when you get them?

Hi MissTea.

Sorry I haven't been around my bloody broadband aint working so I have only had access using my phone which I really slow. You should wash them with the bicarb at least 4 times per day. and ALWAYS drop some breastmilk in them before applying them. I wore them 24 hours and was completely healed within 2 days. How are they now? what did u think of them? I honestly worship them and will def have them handy for this time too ;)

And me too MissTea - have only just seen your question. I never read the box - just left them on for 24 hours (using the shell with the holes in) and hey presto nips were healed. I put a pad over the holes to soak up the milk when I was asleep or bending over. I had an episode last week and I really do swear by the shells. The lansinoh used to sooth but the shells do actually heal.

MissTea,

Hows things?

Much improved, determination haven't been doing the bicarb so I'll start that, but I've had dd back on the bad boob for a week now usually only manage a couple of days at a time before it cracks and I have to express.

Recycle-- I did leave the shells on constantly shortly after my milk came in but got mastitis, which makes me a bit nervous of keeping them on so long, even though it may not have been brought on by the shells.

Anyway, thanks for all your tips everyone!

MissTea,

Do you feel the Silverette worked for you too? I think they are amazing but im unsure if they would work differently for everyone. I think that company BFingHeaven is fantastic i got my breastpads, bras and everything from them.

Not sure I quite understand how they work, but they do seem to work, even though I didn't do the bicarb. I've had real trouble with the nipple on one side, it just kept cracking every few days and I'd express while it healed; although it's still sore it healed up and hasn't cracked since I got the cups. I just went straight to the link you gave and ordered but I'll check out the rest of website-- they certainly delivered very quickly.

I think the company is fantastic.. i check the site every week or so coz they keep adding new products.. But the overall service from them was suberb and the Product.. is truly unbelievable - i think.. i just wish more people knew of them as it would make BFing so much more enjoyable for them.

How long did it take for you to heal?
What kind of pain do you still have?

If you are completely healed now there shouldn't have any pain.

It took a few days to heal; it had been open for about 10 days before that-- the big difference is that it hasn't opened up again. My nipple is still sore between feeds, I thought maybe thrush, but it's just on the one side and I don't have any other symptoms.

Feeding is pain-free btw, apart from initial latching, the soreness is just in between.

MMmmm,

sounds like you should get it checked if it only between feeds it may well be the start of thrush.

Is it a deep burning shooting pain?

Do you have any itching?

It is better to be safe than sorry... and now that your painfree during feeds, you really don't want the pain to return then too.

Are you still using the Silverette to prevent cracking again?

Have a slight problem in that my GP does not believe in thrush. A midwife got me the prescription for the drops and the cream but I'm kind of reluctant to start self-medicating if I'm not really sure that's what it is. I stopped using the cup on the bad boob (must stop calling it that; it'll get a complex) after it healed up but it got sore again after a latching battle the other day so I've got it back on (and am doing the bicarb this time).

i would create a post for Sterny.. her dh is a scientist and may know if the silver will actually naturally treat the thrush too.. i beleive it will. I would get the both cups back on for now! 2 days of wearing them solid and you will see anyway.

Sorry, did not answer your question properly. The soreness is just on the nipple, and on the one side, it comes and goes and is sometimes quite strong and burning; no deep breast pain but some itching on the surface of the breast; it's been like this for a few weeks. It was REALLY REALLY painful on both sides with deep shooting pain, crunching glass sensation on nipples, temperature sensitivity etc. about a month ago, which prompted me to to to the GP but by the time I got the appointment I also had mastitis, so she just prescribed me for that. BTW thanks so much for all your help and advice on this, it's really giving me the determination (ha ha) to press on with this.

Crossed posts there. I'll try the cups on both sides for a couple of days and then maybe try the cream + drops if it doesn't improve the pain.

With the burning and itching it does def sound like the start of thrush.. but i would def ask sterny to speak to her dh more regarding the cups as he as the knowledge and we dont!.. i just know from personal experience how great the silverette worked but i dont have a clue how they actually worked and what they could treat...

your doing great to hang in there with the problems/pain. You should be holding your head high with pride