Can you avoid sore nipples?

[Fudgewhizz]

Baby is 3 days old. I'm being very careful with latch but is there a way to avoid the awful cracked / bleeding / sore nipples that I got with my first child?! If I can not go through that again it would be great...

did you try creams last time? My maternity nurse recommended Lansinoh cream as well as Lucas Paw Paw!

I'm yet to experience breastfeeding, due in 8 weeks, but my friend has told me prevention is better than cure and to just continually slap that nipple cream on day and night regardless of whether they're bad or not. So that's my plan, no idea if it will work!!

Nipple shields were like waving a magic wand for me.

Nipple shields, cream and just getting grinning and bearing the pain! My nipples are like elastic bands now 🤣

Try latching the baby on at a different angle every so often, so sometimes try the rugby ball hold, upright etc. That way you're not getting sore in the same place every time. I found that helped a lot.

16 weeks and counting.... no pain or cracks and haven't used anything at all. I always let my nipple air dry tho so it isn't damp!

Honestly everyone told me to expect pain and I've had absolutely none

@roxfox that's good going - mine were so painful last time! I'm doing the air drying this time and being more diligent with latch so hopefully it'll be better and I'll end up like you...

@fudgewhizz sorry just read your post properly and saw you said this is baby number two! I was trying to reassure you it didn't have to happen but I read it quickly without paying attention- I didn't mean to come off as though I was bragging.

So yeah because of lockdown and having no visitors and not having to run around I've been able to airdry after feeding and it's the only thing I can think of!

Congrats on your newborn, best of luck

@roxfox Not at all, your post gave me hope that it's possible! I had a difficult time last time so I'm hoping this time will be better.

@fudgewhizz phew!!