Ouchy cracked nipples...

kateyp · 2007-03-19T18:33:57+00:00

Well - only on day 4 post c-section and already in agony with each feed. I think the problem was a night of 'wrong' latching on which created the problem. Since then I have had 3 separate midwives all agree that he is latching on proparly. But it still really hurts! Is it just that the damage has been done and whilst it heals with proper latching it will hurt to feed? Or am I still doing something wrong? I guess it doesn't help that my milk isn't quite in yet and that he therefore wants to feed all the time! Reassurance or top tips all welcomed! Kate x

tiktok · 19/03/2007 18:52

Check for tongue tie, maybe, katey?

Really for you....sore nipples are a real pain. I would suspect positionoing and attachment though - I find it is sometimes irrelevant what any no. of midwives have said , sadly

Ask again - most soreness is caused by the baby compressing the nipple against the hard palate. That is not where the nipple should be. Ergo - latch is not right.

ska · 19/03/2007 18:54

i used calendula cream which my husband got from the local chemist. It works!

also definitely try the position. I wnet to a breastfeeding clinic and learnt the rugby ball method(!) which was to hold her across my chest and attach her flat onto the breast coming from the side - it meant she got a full mouthfull and it was much easier.
good luck, happy memories....

KerryMum · 19/03/2007 18:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

aznerak · 19/03/2007 18:59

Until you sort out positions etc, use Lanisoh. It is brilliant. My daugher drew blood and the Lanisoh helped immediately. Especially good to apply in the shower. I swore by it after that.

Califrau · 19/03/2007 19:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lillochum · 20/03/2007 21:03

Hi Kateyp - I really feel for you. I found Lanisoh brilliant too. Getting the right latch on can be a really tricky business, and its a bit of a learning curve for the first 6 weeks no matter how experienced you are. I had a brilliant breast-feeding specialist nurse to help me at the outset, and only then discovered that I have short nipples. Having big breasts also made the standard angle for the baby all wrong for me. I know midwives aren't generally in favour of nipple shields, (they are a potential way of introducing infections etc), but the specialist gave me a particular brand suitable for premature babies (although mine weren't premature - the Boots type were too big for me, and these had to be mail ordered). Nipple shields really worked for me. My first child wouldn't give them up 2 weeks down the line as they are supposed to, but did give them up at 3 months and continued feeding until 13 months old. My second had severe heart problems and was very weak at sucking. I was put under lots of pressure by the midwives to resist the nipple shields, but with my short nipples and her weak suck she simply couldn't latch on properly and I endured about a week of agony and distress before using nipple shields. She never gave them up, but fed successfully for 15 months, and never had a tummy upset either. With my third child I was determined to try not to use the nipple shields, more because of the hassle of having to take a sterilised nipple shield everywhere you go, (and the milton bleaching my clothes) than any other reason. I did have cracked nipples and difficulties for the first few weeks, but hung in there and carried on for 18 months in all. After the first few weeks it was comfortable and convenient, and it was worth it! Hope you feel better soon.

KatyR · 20/03/2007 22:00

Ooh hugs for you, sore nipples are not good! If you like I can send you some Laniwhassit as I have a whole tube that I hardly used and it costs a tenner!
I phoned the NCT and had a breast feeding counsillor out as I also have flat nipples so dd wasn't latching at all and causing bleeding soreness - maybe give them a call the lady I had out was lovely and came the day after I called...
Anyway let me know re Lanisoh - you're more than welcome to it

Naomee · 21/03/2007 20:52

I really sympathise- I got into a mess with dodgey latching -on when my DD was born. One nipple totally split down the middle and she drank so much blood that her poo went black (very scary at the time).

The only way I managed to carry on was to use nipple shields for a couple of weeks to let them heal (I switched from Lansinoh to Kamillosan which I found much more soothing) AND most importantly a brill midwife showed me the rugby ball hold.

For some reason everything fell inot place after that. It was really hard but she is now 4 months and the feeding is second nature (has been for a while). I know if I had tried things before I was in such a mess the problem would have cleared up sooner but I was totally clueless.... Do whatever it takes to get your nipples healed (I know that nipple sheilds are sometimes frowned on but if I hadn't used them I would have given up.)

cathcart · 21/03/2007 21:00

I found olive oil was fab on my very sore nips. the soreness lasted a week or so then my boobs were just really tender which lasted about three weeks - no probs now, keep going , it will improve i am sure!

dandasmummy · 21/03/2007 21:19

You poor thing!! I had same problem with DD2. I ended up with a dint in one nipple. Remember her pulling off at one point, and instead of milk dribbling from her mouth, there was blood. Very scary.(I hadn't had any problems at all with DD1.) Toe-curling agony. Called midwives out daily at least to help with latch. Used whole tube of Lansiloh and pain subsided quite quickly once latch was definitely right. Hard thing is knowing whether latch is right once nipples are cracked 'cause it's so bloody painful by then anyway. Should be painful but not agony with correct latch. Also try what KerryMum says, and squeeze a bit of milk out after feed to rub into nipple. Then smother with Lansiloh. My heart goes out to you. I hope you can work through this, because it'll be so worth it when it goes right. GOOD LUCK and BIG HUGS. xx

Original poster

kateyp · 22/03/2007 08:53

Thank you all!
Got shields and lanisoh and nipples have improved immensely. Still hurts a bit but much much better.

Now think I am having trouble with blocked ducts (typical!) but they seem to be improving with firm massage during feeds.

So struggling on over here - have had to top up a couple of times with formula which left me distraught but the problem was DS2 had fed for 2.5hrs and was still rooting and screaming.

Anyway - I think my milk is in now so that shouldn't be a problem. Am also seeing the midwife this afternoon so am going to ask her for breast feeding support in this area. I agree totally with someone on another thread - it is all "breast is best" whilst pg and "lots of support" but when it comes down to it it all seems to disappear - just a glance and "yep that seems ok". And I am sure that 50% of success is just someone saying "you are doing great" and psychological.

Anyhow. FIngers crossed things will be easier from now on.

Kate
x

OP posts:

lillochum · 22/03/2007 09:21

Glad to hear things are better. As I recall, all my children fed the WHOLE evening every evening when new. Gets sore and tedious, and it's tricky to even eat a meal let alone do anything like cook or see to other children. I didn't give them formula, but I can see the temptation. Anyhhow, hope breastfeeding is a joy very soon. Keep up the good work!

Vmama · 22/03/2007 21:58

hello kate -I was exactly the same at your stage and am now 5 weeks into bfeding after a section and it gets easier every day.

i used to dread every feed and cried every time he latched on -it gt to the stage where i was frightened of him nbut determined to carry on. We topped up a couple of times with formula but he always seemed to sick it up at the next feed.

Anyway i just wanted to say that it really does get easier -everyone keeps saying it but it's true and touch wood my nipples are so much better than they were -i used lansinoh and also expressed milk when my nips were just too sore and fed him with a bottle.

Everyone told me he would get nipple confusion from giving him a bottle so early but if anything it helped his latch

good luck and keep going xx

Vmama · 22/03/2007 21:58

hello kate -I was exactly the same at your stage and am now 5 weeks into bfeding after a section and it gets easier every day.

i used to dread every feed and cried every time he latched on -it gt to the stage where i was frightened of him nbut determined to carry on. We topped up a couple of times with formula but he always seemed to sick it up at the next feed.

Anyway i just wanted to say that it really does get easier -everyone keeps saying it but it's true and touch wood my nipples are so much better than they were -i used lansinoh and also expressed milk when my nips were just too sore and fed him with a bottle.

Everyone told me he would get nipple confusion from giving him a bottle so early but if anything it helped his latch

good luck and keep going xx

sazzybee · 23/03/2007 20:45

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone on this thread. On Wednesday night I was in agony and floods of tears after my nipple finally cracked after a poor latch at the start of feeding (oddly not that easy to focus on post c section and trying to start bfing at midnight with a ton of morphine coursing through your veins!).

I logged onto mumsnet in desperation and as a result of this thread, coated my nipple in lansinoh and rested it for 24 hours. I couldn't get any of the gauze but used an Avent disposible breast pad which worked really well.

Last night I started using it again and now I'm using it every other feed but keeping up the coating in lansinoh between feeds.

I've got an infected c section scar and a trapped nerve in my hip so the nipple sent me over the edge into utter despair.

Thank you for restoring my sanity (and my boob! ) Mumsnet rocks xx

Original poster

kateyp · 29/03/2007 18:17

Yep - just wanted to update myself.
About 24 hours of nipple shields and lansinoh (sp?) and all cured and everything feeling MUCH better! Lansinoh is clearly magic cream!

Thank you everyone. Now actually enjoying breastfeeding. Well - generally - don't think I will ever enjoy being woken regularly at night for feeds (although at least I have learnt how to do it laying down which I never did with DS1 - makes for much more snoozy night feeds).

Kateyp
x

OP posts: