BF

[Kikidee94]

Hey. Im a new mama breastfeeding my 9week old little boy. I am so cut on the skin around the nipple. This is my first baby. Does anyone have info on what to use for this? Ive tried coconut oil. Nipple cream breast pads cabbage leafs camomile tea bags on them. Ive tried to pump and give him a bottle by my lord he has a paddy and will not drink it. Any advice is welcome

Thankyou x

Keep applying the nipple cream regularly and after every feed. Are you using the Lansinoh one, it’s a cut above the others IME.

For healing, I rate the Multi Mam compresses that you can buy in Amazon / Boots. They are little pads with gel on them that heal the nipples. They are about £10 so not cheap, but I cut mine in half as they are big enough to make them last longer. I keep them on overnight too, even though it doesn’t recommend keeping them on that long.

Final suggestion would be nipple shields, but I never got on with them.

Hope you heal soon!

Also, it might be worth getting your latch checked if there is a breastfeeding support group near you. They can suggest alternative positions for you too.

@AllTheCakes

Keep applying the nipple cream regularly and after every feed. Are you using the Lansinoh one, it’s a cut above the others IME.

For healing, I rate the Multi Mam compresses that you can buy in Amazon / Boots. They are little pads with gel on them that heal the nipples. They are about £10 so not cheap, but I cut mine in half as they are big enough to make them last longer. I keep them on overnight too, even though it doesn’t recommend keeping them on that long.

Final suggestion would be nipple shields, but I never got on with them.

Hope you heal soon!

Thankyou i will try the pads. I had latch checked they said its great. Im just so sore.

Congratulations on baby! I’m one week behind you with an 8 week old who is also bf.

Have you had your latch checked? As sore nipples can be a sign of baby not latching correctly. Or also checking to see if he/she has a tongue tie? A friend of mine with a baby similar age to yours was constantly getting sore nipples and it turned out baby had a tongue tie so worth looking into.

Otherwise try nipple guards - they have worked a treat for a few of my friends!

I follow a few Instagram pages that are so so helpful. If you have Instagram it’s worth checking them out;

olivialactationconsultant
feedeatspeak
katherinestaggibclc

Honestly they are a god send for me!

Lansinoh nipple cream. Avoid cabbage leaves because they can reduce supply.

Do get your latch checked again. Ask to be referred to a breastfeeding specialist; a normal midwife or HV May well think the latch looks okay but if you're cut then it isn't, so you need to see someone with expert knowledge.

Agree with others that nipple shields might be worth a try just to give your poor nipples a rest.

And huge huge sympathy ❤️ those early days of cut nipples were just agony, I certainly couldn't have kept going if it went on as long as it has for you.

It’s pointless somebody telling you that the latch ‘looks great’ - if it is making you that sore then it is definitely not right. Is there a breastfeeding support group near you that you can go to? Often midwives have had very little training in breastfeeding.

Definitely get the latch checked. Even now at a year if my baby’s latch isn’t right, it can be sore.

Hydrogel patches were a god send for me! But agree with PPs, get someone else to check the latch because something isn't quite right.

Hi all i had my latch checked by health visiter they both sed he ie lactching very well. It could jus be im dry skin and he feeds oftens. Hopefully they will heal.

Silverette nipple cups are amazing for healing.

I have a 9 week old too (second baby and BF my first for 8 months), his latch is correct apparently but he pulls very strongly and made my nipples sore too. I use nipple shields - not always but occasionally as they can effect supply and Weleda nipple balm. Good luck

Honestly I wouldn't be taking a HV's word that the latch is fine, and it's a bit rubbish of them not to refer you on when you're in pain. It's so frustrating when people aren't given the support they need! I'd contact your HV again and ask if there's a breastfeeding clinic you can attend, and have a google if there's a local breastfeeding support group. There may be just a tiny tweak you can make that will make it so much more comfortable for you.

@SpamIAm

Honestly I wouldn't be taking a HV's word that the latch is fine, and it's a bit rubbish of them not to refer you on when you're in pain. It's so frustrating when people aren't given the support they need! I'd contact your HV again and ask if there's a breastfeeding clinic you can attend, and have a google if there's a local breastfeeding support group. There may be just a tiny tweak you can make that will make it so much more comfortable for you.

Agree with this.

OP does your bike look squashed after a feed, or lipstick shaped? Health visitor advice is often terrible so I would subroutine try to get a second opinion if you can.

Good grief - nipple, not bike 🤦‍♀️

Yeah HVs rarely have decent breastfeeding training. If you're in England ask to be referred to your local infant feeding team, they can watch you feed and give advice.