Red dry nipples breastfeeding 8 weeks

[mzlk]

Hi!
this is my second baby and my nipples just aren’t getting used to breastfeeding. With my first I had pain the whole 1.5 years too. I had so many courses of fluconazole because we thought it was thrush. tried the creams etc.
been given the cream again this time along with fluconazole which I’ve not taken. I’ve used the cream (daktarin) and it’s made my nipples worse. They’re red and dry now.
I stopped using it 2 days ago but the damage from daktarin is taking a while to go.
I think my nipples are just sensitive tbh. Not sure what to do. Anyone had a similar experience?

This was a life saver, and doesn’t need washing off before feeding.
www.boots.com/lansinoh-hpa-lanolin-10ml-10230475?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs_HeroCompare--Baby_Changing-_-UK_Smart_Shopping_Baby_Changing&gclid=CjwKCAiAxP2eBhBiEiwA5puhNaTFx3GJrgKxEhpVS5qJ76Ez6_HEw7QMCTVztLC3yM2eh0bMguEGkxoCYWYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Have you been to a support group or seen a lactation consultant to get you and your baby's latch checked? Certain bad latch symptoms often are misdiagnosed as thrush (ie nipple going white after a feed). I would also wonder about an undiagnosed tongue tie - while I don't believe there's any research or solid evidence into the genetic component of TTs, as a long time BF supporter I can tell you I see a lot of new mothers with second/subsequent children having a tie when the first did.

@Killerfail that’s what’s keeping me going right now!

@CocoPlum I do wonder if my first daughter had a tongue tie tbh also this one too.
My right nipple is always the one that’s worse? With my first and now too. Can my right nipple just be more sensitive? I generally have extremely sensitive skin anyway.
And even before having kids, my nipples would get sore easily, by not wearing a bra etc.

Some women do have senstive nipples. But also TTs can cause a restriction on one side, causing one breast to be more painful, and if you are right handed but using your left hand to latch to your right breast, sometimes it's just a lack of strength/confidence in the weaker arm that makes it a tad trickier.

The ABM website has a list of local support groups by area. I strongly recommend checking there, or going on a local FB mums page, and finding one that is run preferably by a lactation consultant (IBCLC). They are usually free drop ins and many let you bring older children if you need to, but you can contact them beforehand to check. Please don't suffer - it's amazing you continued for so long with your eldest but it doesn't have to be this way. X

Conotrane cream is also good for sores, might be worth a try.

Silver breast feeding cups were good at healing my nips. It won't solve it if it's tongue tie causing the issue though. Mine had tongue tie snips and it felt mostly comfortable by 3 months. Got sensitive again as I started weaning after a year. I think some people just have more sensitive boobs.

Try bepanthen nappy cream, works better than lansinoh in my opinion. I don't think they issue any guidance in this country about whether it needs to be washed off but in the US they say it's fine to leave on. I used to wipe it off with a baby wipe but haven't in ages and DS has always been fine

Thank you all for your advice

@CocoPlum
I will look into that! Thank you. If it’s not a tongue tie what do you think I should do about my sensitive nipple? (Lol)
my left one has almost recovered from the damage from daktarin but my right one still seems to be suffering. It’s more painful than it usually was before using it!
im slathering on coconut oil and lansinoh. She feeds one side at a time so it gives me a few hours break but I’m dreading her next growth spurt, it might actually lead me to giving up (which I really don’t want)

@leafittome ah no way, so strange that it started back up after a whole year? I really didn’t think breastfeeding would be this complicated! Some people seem to have an easy time after the first couple weeks.

If it's not tongue tie, it might be a non optimal latch - maybe there are some tweaks that can be made that may seem minor but make a big difference. If your latch is perfect and her tongue function is fine, if you're at a group with an IBCLC they will have lots of ideas to help you - but I would always start with positioning and attachment.

If you have the budget, maybe look for an IBCLC in your area who can do a home visit. My mentor does 75 min visits and does TT referrals if necessary.