I seem to have caused an abbrassion whilst expressing milk

[BonkersMummy]

I had a little girl two weeks ago. I have to go back to work in three weeks. I have been expressing for the last three days. There is a 3cm abbrassion on my right areola. It is excruciating to breast feed when she latches on. What should i do?

You could try nipple shields, its just one of those annoying things that happens. But it needs time too heal. Does it hurt when you express?

When you express don't use anything like lansinoh - it makes the friction worse. Use olive oil in the horns. And turn down the suction if you can.

Thanks, Can you tell me what the horns are?
I havn't tried expressing on that side since it happened. I think that i overdid it with the pump.

The horns are the bits of the breast pump that fit onto your breast. What kind of pump are you using?

A Medela electric swing pump. I can't tell you how much this help is appreciated.. I am using Green Baby nipple balm but it's fighting an uphill battle. x

Horns,is that what they call them?!
A lot of people swear by Silverette breast pads.Oh and Lansinoh cream.Will link.
Blimey,you're going back to work soon!

Silverette

The reason I asked about the pump is that I'm pretty sure you can get a "cushion" to go onto the horn!! of the pump which might make it more comfortable and less likely to rub. I'll see if I can find a link.....

here
You might want to just check that it would be OK to use with the Swing though as that's a relatively new pump.

That nipple balm sounds like a bad idea - is it like vaseline in consistency? If it is it WILL cause friction. You need to use an oil-based lubricant - olive oil!

Lansinoh is made of lanolin, it's not the same texture as vaseline

It is not oily and will cause friction! Doesn't matter if it's natural or not.

Sorry Strawberry, you obviously meant the green baby stuff. Have never used that!

Never had this problem myself, I did however get a horn that was too small stuck on my nipple and have to cut it off with a stanley knife

Can you try feeding DD on the side not hurt and hand express the other side for a while until it has healed up???

Lorayn, ouch!