How to help a cracked nipple heal?

[Lucinda15]

My baby is 2 weeks old and we have had a nightmare so far with breastfeeding. Essentially she latched immediately but I became very sore very quickly. I have had midwives and breastfeeding support round almost daily to help with my latch which, on the face of it, looks good. But I'm still in agony with most feeds and have one cracked and very painful left nipple. We now suspect possible posterior tongue tie and I'm seeing a specialist this Friday. Anyway. I'm trying to feed with both sides still but I'm getting very weary with the pain and effort trying to achieve a good latch at every single feed. It's mentally and physically exhausting. So I'd like to give my cracked nipple a break but not sure how to do this. Nipple shields aren't working out for us so I've expressed a little bit which is helpful. But I don't know how to manage the feeds around the expressing. Do I express from left and feed from right at each feed? (And build up a stock of expressed? But I'm worried this will lead to engorgement which is really painful for me at the moment). Or do I express from left and feed her that in a bottle? (But this takes some planning if she wants a feed and I'm not quite ready with the expressed milk!)

Anyone got any tips/advice?

[OoohSmooch]

I second Mulitmam compresses...here's the link:

www.boots.com/multi-mam-compresses-1-x-12-pack-10078094

My DD had a severe posterior tongue tie and your story sounds just like mine. When her tie was fixed I had no pain after that. Make sure you alway pop Lansinoh on after every feed and protect your nipples within your bra with Lansinoh breast pads (they're the softest). I made the mistake of going bra free when I first got home but realised my tops were rubbing on my nipples!

[MaximumVolume]

Yes, keep the Multimam in the fridge and they give a lot of relief!

[Summertime10]

Hi, I've heard multi mam compresses are helpful when trying to heal cracked nipples. Currently 30 weeks with DC3 and I have a stash ready for his arrival. They can be bought in boots.
Hth

[Lucinda15]

Thanks all. Constantly applying the lansinoh! Crack is pretty central. I've tried different holds as suggested by midwives etc but all are quite excrutiating. I've ended up using the same position for most feeds (across tummy) as this is the one I can really ensure a good latch with due to having better control and view of her mouth & my breast. It's a really tricky one, I'm struggling to get past this cracked nipple!! I wish it would heal. Got midwife coming again on Friday so hopefully can work thru a few new positions with her help. X

[Velocity]

That's 'on to some muslin'

[Velocity]

I was told by my midwife to keep the nipple moist. Soak some breastmilk not some muslin, place over the crack and then cover with plastic (small piece cut from plastic bag) to stop it from drying out. Worked really well !

[Oly5]

Endless Lanisoh

[Alansgoldfish]

I had cracked nipples when breastfeeding both my children. With the first I tried to air dry the crack, with the second I kept it constantly moisturised with lanisoh and never allowed it to dry. The second method worked MUCH better

[Rollonbedtime7pm]

Where is the crack?

I had a crack that was mostly on one side of the nipple so I fed the baby using a different position so she didn't pull it and keep re-cracking it. So, a cradle hold made her pull the nipple towards the middle of my breasts and crack the outer edge - changed on that side to a rugby ball hold (under arm) so that the crack was then under her bottom lip instead so she didn't make it any worse.

And lashings and lashings of Lansinoh!!

Breast milk is also good for healing - rub some on and let it air dry.