Sore breasts & nipples, need HELP

[ClaLC]

My 7 month old daughter has only ever been bf, took to weaning onto solids v well. I've now had an allergic reaction to my breast pads, breasts and nipples are sore, cracked, skin is red, broken and peeling. I look a mess!(I am going to see my GP). Bf is agony and causes my skin to bleed. Baby won't take expressed milk or formula in a cup or bottle, but will have formula if its in food ie cereal etc. Tried different cups, bottles and teats. Desperate now and don't know how to get milk in her. Any advice much appreciated.

If your going to keep BF, have you tried feeding your DD with a nipple shield? They're not great but slightly less painful -until you've seen the GP at least?

Have you started using new breast pads or is the reaction from the original sort?

I know how painful it is and I really feel for you(especially as your LO won't take milk any other way)- when I had mastitis and thrush I took some painkillers and fed through the pain but my DH was literally holding my feet down to stop me launching myself off the bed it was so painful! I almost gave up but then the antibiotics kicked in and it got easier.

Cla, there are a number of possibilities

• you are experiencing a reaction to your baby's saliva. In rare instances, this may be a reaction to something she is eating

• you have an allergic reaction to something else eg soap powder

• you are pregnant (a few women get tender nipples, though hafta say, I have never heard of cracks and peeling the way you describe it)

• you have eczema or thrush

I think it's highly unlikely to be anything to do with positioning and attachment. My money would be on option 1. I agree you need to see a doctor. Good luck.
Your baby does need fluids somehow - you can make her solids sloppy with ebm if you cannot bear to feed her direct.