Sore nipples, any tips?

[AbbyandMia]

Hi all,

I'm on day 3 of breastfeeding and my nipples are so sore everytime baby latches on. I've had positioning and latch checked several times in hospital - all are fine now and no tongue tie - they think it might be damage from the first day when he was nipple feeding.

Any tips for healing while still BF-ing? I've got Expert Midwife nipple balm but it's not doing much.

Would really love to make BFing work so any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

It's your latch - sort it out and the pain will go. I know that sound flippant but it will. Look for local support and this video will help https://globalhealthmedia.org/videos/attaching-your-baby-at-the-breast/?portfolioID=10861

I had awful pain at first despite an adequate latch due to nipple damage that couldn't heal because my baby was feeding all the time. The only thing that worked for me was getting silver nipple cups and using them at the same time as jelonet gauze dressing (whenever I wasn't feeding). This was initially given to me by the infant feeding team at my hospital and I then ordered some and it gave me time to heal.

The lanolin cream by Lansinoh is meant to be better than the my expert midwife one.
I know you said tongue tie has been checked but two midwives looked at my very tongue tied baby and said there was no issue so it's always worth a second or third opinion.

Thank you all so much.

I'm going to an infant feeding specialist tomorrow to double check tongue tie and latch, thanks for the tips @bk1981 @Bert2e I believed the midwife who said all was fine but your advice is making me want to check with someone else.

@Knapdragon you've given me faith things might heal in time thank you, will try the dressing and cups!

Thank you again, I'm determined to make this work for my little one 🙂

It will heal.
Rub some breastmilk on and let it dry. It also works wonders for baby eye infections (sticky eye).

Congratulations on your baby.

Multimam balm gel things are life savers
Coconut oil betweeen Feeds, air drying, avoid moistness where possible. Good luck!

These are the multi mam compresses: www.amazon.co.uk/Multi-Mam-60-05-26-Compresses/dp/B001O1EERE

I really hope this video doesn't show latching the baby like this image because that will lead to pain 😱

OP it is the latch. If it hurts, it doesn't matter if it looks ok.

Google exaggerared latch (holding breast with hand in a U shape), KEEP THAT HOLD (don't latch baby and immediately let go), and bring baby to you, fast with their top lip just over the nipple and bottom lip covering more of the breast. Your nipple is not the bullseye!

Hold your baby with your palm on their shoulder blades and supporting their neck but all fingers and thumb below their ears. Not even a finger on the back of their head! Support them from neck to bottom - really tuck them in with your elbow.

Try not to worry - At about day 5 I had a bleeding cracked right nipple so painful that I just cried - I left it alone for 24 hours just applying Lanolin and it healed and then had zero pain!

Another vote for the silver nipple caps..pricey as its about 30quid on Amazon but totally saved me as it hold a leaked breast milk around the nipple soothing it.

I also used gel bags to place in my bra to cool down the soreness..or if you were blocked boobs, you could use heat bean bags to get circulation and massage
Also used nipple balm liberally as well.

Lanolin is really good. It's also good for dry lips over winter.
If the latch is good, the pain will subside. I think it took about a week for me.

Thank you so much everyone, happy to say that after a week and bit, things are much better.

Lanolin and letting breast milk air dry on the nipple has been a lifesaver so thank you to those who suggested it 🙂