Breastfeeding this has appeared on nipple (pics) :((

[dancingfruit]

I have been breastfeeding for 3 months today I took baby off breast after feeding as usual then seen this, I got a towel to dab thinking it was blood but nothing came up. It’s a little sore now baby is off the boob. I’m unsure what this is and if I can still feed baby off this breast?
:(

I'm taking it as this is a picture if your nipple? Looks to me like this is caused by a shallow latch, could you contact your HV for help with positions? Or a BF group local to you? Lots of women get mastitis etc for many reasons and you may need to feed through this still or pump on that side when feeding on the other do you don't get engorged. Is the area hot? Do you have a tempt or any smelly discharge from nipple?

No temp or discharge, was just I took off breast then seen like a blister? Is that masitis? :(

Is like a blood blister caused by a poor/shallow latch. Will go away in a few days.

It looks more like a sore cracked nipple that's started to bleed because baby isn't quite latching deep enough. It can turn to mastitis if not corrected but doesn't always. If it starts getting red, feeling warm and you feel unwell that's when it's turned. You could always see the gp for reassurance. Does baby cluster feed and when feeding is it painful?

Thank you, hoping it just goes on it’s own. Can I still feed off this?

It looks like a blood blister due to friction, it will resolve with an adjustment to latch, make sure baby has a good mouthful of nipple and breast tissue and try some different holds to reduce the pressure an friction on that area until it’s healed (though don’t be surprised if it does burst).

Jelonet is fab for this but make sure it's completely wiped off before feeding.

If it bursts, will it need any treatment? And ok to feed baby? Or avoid that area :)

Definitely continue to feed from the affected side, engorgement from not feeding would likely lead to mastitis.

Just keep the area clean and dry between feeds (be careful if using breast pads, it they stick and damn painful, I speak from experience).

It is important to continue to feed from the affected side to avoid engorgement (which can lead to mastitis) you can do alternative holds so baby’s tongue is in a different place to reduce friction.

The number one thing is to ensure a good, deep latch. You’re aiming for baby’s chin to be either outside of your areola or on the very rim of it. This is an indicator of an efficient latch.

Thank you, so far it’s dry and not burst but scared of that happening especially so close to easter. As long as I feed as usual off this breast should I be fine for avoiding masitis? Scared of that!

For example if you’ve been using the cradle hold (baby is across your body tummy facing yours), you could try the rugby ball position (baby’s body is and your side, supported with a pillow/cushion is most comfortable, tummy is facing your ribs).

This position change points baby’s tongue opposite to where your blister is.

Depending on baby’s age you could try an upright position also.

Mastitis is caused by (usually) blocked milk ducts which cause engorgement, this is usually felt as a firm or hard lump on the breast. This can be managed by feeding, breast massage and (gentle) heat treatment. Mastitis is the last stage of this process and isn’t very common as there’s signs and symptoms prior to infection developing and treatment to lessen the risk of it developing. If you are in the position of developing mastitis it can be treated quickly and easily with antibiotics.

Try to give your nipples some air. And yes, keep feeding from this side.

I had this each time with my three and It never led to mastitis (although I did have it at one point).

Did you have this like in my pics? It’s sore isn’t it? Did it ever burst or did it just clear up for you if so how long did it take? :(

I had that each time (3 babies). And looked exactly like that. I think it took 3-4 days to clear up. I think the red bit came out during a feed. It’s incredibly sore. I remember gritting my teeth as I fed.

My little one is 9 weeks now and I had these at the beginning too, op. Bloody agony. Definitely keep feeding even though it's sore, if you don't, that can cause blockages.
Do you have lanolin? This nipple cream is amazing. Lasinoh is the brand I have. Purple tube.

Keep airing your breasts when you can and keep the lanolin on them. Hopefully it'll get better in a few days.

Guys today it’s turned white? Unsure if a good or bad thing :(

Ouch poor you! Just wanted to say that in my experience trying too hard to follow the advice to make sure baby is taking a big mouthful of breast once they were a bit bigger (11 weeks) was actually causing issues with friction and cracks like this. Once I just started letting the baby latch himself in the laid back position , all my issues with pain went away, even though the latch didn't seem deep enough as per all the instructions. But an IBCLC watched and said was fine and as their mouths get bigger, the big mouthful thing is less important. Might be worth a try/ keeping in mind as was a game changer for me!

It's a good sign
Keep working on the latch, getting baby to take it all in, deep to the back of his mouth.
I had the same.
It usually happens with beginner babies who chomp on the nipple with their bony gums before it's all the way in.
You're aiming for steady rhythmic jaw movement with ear wiggling.

Mastitis is usually caused by pressure on the milk ducts, so carry on feeding and avoid anything tight on the breast. You get a temperature and it takes a dose of antibiotics to clear it. You can continue breastfeeding.