badly cracked nipple - nipple shields or express?

[trixymalixy]

Have a really badly cracked nipple, have been managing to keep going so far, but don't think I can keep going it is too painful.

The MW and HV have both said there is nothing wrong with the latch, the damage was caused early on, but just hasn't been allowed to heal. It heals over a bit in bteween feeds, but as soon as he latches on as my nipple stretches the wound is pulled open again.

I just feel that it would be best to give my nipple a break and allow it to heal properly.

My question is whether i would be best to try nipple shields or expressing. Ds is 2 weeks and 2 days old. Which is less likely to cause nipple confusion?

Have you been expressing some milk onto the nipple and letting it dry naturally whilst being aired?

You could numb your really sore side using teething gel before latching... this would def help with the pain.. the only prob with this is that you may not feel if he is latched properly or not as you will be numb.

Just bear in mind that you have now managed for nearly 3 weeks and i bet the time has passed so quickly... before you know it you will be pain free and enjoying BFing to the full

hang in there your doing a fantastic job trixy

I did use nipple shields for about 1-2 weeks, if it helps you carry on b/f (and that's what you want) then I would use them.

I went to a BFC after a few weeks and she helped me too.

I also expressed in the first 2 weeks - haven't done that since and our feeding routine has settled down.

So far it's been okay for me. DD2 is almost 9 weeks and it can still be painful for a few moments if she doesn't latch on properly, but I can usually stop her before she clamps on too hard!

And there's been no nipple confusion

Did you just feed through the pain Cali or did you do anything else to help?

Will maybe try the teething gel as well.

Trixy,

I would try and get a set of the Silverette at least then you would know you would be healed completely within days (less than 48hours and i was sorted) and you could keep them for future babies or get them melted into some nice jewellery

Stern - i think it was - also bought a pair.. but i dunno if she feels as passionately about them as i do!! I feel this way as i think it saved our BFing relationship.

trixymalixy,

Hows things? Did you manage to get that sore nipple healed?

It's getting there. Hopefully I can get rid of the nipple shields in the next couple of days as it is a pain having to sterilise them and DS takes so much longer to feed with them.

I can't believe the difference it has made to me using the nipple shields on the cracked side. I was getting so down about it, I would spend the whole night in tears.

Cali, you must have a higher pain threshold than me!!

Thanks everybody for your help and support!