My nipples are on fire!

[VictorianSqualor]

Arghhhh, they bloody kill, nearly three weeks into feeding DS2 they are agony, I've been using Lansinoh but although it makes them feel better when I use it as soon as DS feeds again they're sore again, well not sore during the feed but after
Never had this with DS1 so why is it happening this time?
Any tips on fixing it??

rub breastmilk into them and leave them in open air

agree with Mud.

Can you get a bfing councillor or midwife to check how you are feeding?

Has he got a good wide latch? Sounds like he's not opening his mouth wide enough.

Have you checked for tongue tie? (sorry I always ask that).

I had his latch checked at both the hospital and by my m/w's and Hv (he always seemed to be feeding when they were round!)
I don't think it is the latch as it's only just started, up until now it was fine, but he has been feeding constantly for the last two/three days, maximum of an hour between feeds so I assume he's having a growth spurt and putting them through it, if that makes sense?

Tongue tie, no, how do I check?

Three weeks is about growth spurt time. You can ask your mw to check. It's where his tongue doesn't quite come off the floor of his mouth because of the frenulum. It might be tight. His tongue needs to be able to pop out and massage the breast rather than rub the nipple against the palate. It may be that the tip of his tongue looks heart shaped.

I've had a look at some pics of tongue-tie it doesnt seem to be that, have thought about him not opening his mouth wide enough though, he does open it wide at the beginning of a feed, but keeps falling to sleep on the breast, partly losing the nipple and waking up again, so I think that might be the issue.

Arghh, they really hurt, I'm actually dreading feeding him his next feed.

Is your nipple shape distorting after a feed? This is another sign that the latch isn't quite right.

Also, don't let your nips dry out. Smother then in Lansinoh very frequently. It seems to go against whst we do for other cuts/scrapes, but moist healing for the nips is the best thing to do. If you let them dry out they will keep cracking everytime you feed.

I am feeling your pain.

No it isn't, not really.

Muchos sympathies.
I was like this with dd. Dreaded each feed.
For the worst of it I took paracetamol 20 mins before a feed.

Agree that latch may need tweaking. Are you putting him on quickly enough?

1. Nipple tease
2. He opens wide
3. WHAM him on there quick as you can to get as much nipple in as poss.

That helped me last time.

I honestly think the latch is fine at the beginning of a feed, but it's when he falls to sleep and loses it, then just kidn of sucks it back in and doesn't latch properly, but as soon as I try to relatch him he clamps down on my nipples and I feel to scream!
Also, I keep getting sharp pains in one breast which is weird.

VS it sounds alot like the problem I had (several years ago now - so forgive me if I'm wrong!) and the shooting pains in the breast turned out to be thrush. It was extremely painful so perhaps some paracetamol would be in order untill you can speak to somebody tomorrow.

You poor thing, it is a nasty feeling dreading the next feed. Hope you get it sorted soon.

I meant to say hello in my last post, so hello! I hope you are all doing well - apart fro the sore nips of course!

Sharp pains can indicate nipple thrush. Also, as you had a cs you are more likely to suffer from it because of the anti-biots you were given.

You can put caneston cream on your nips (but it needs to be washed off before each feed). Also your ds may have it all will also need to be treated.

Am not sure if you can take the tablet for thrush when you bf. Also there are loads of symptoms for nipple thrush and you may only have one of them (and your nips may not look any different), so if you see your GP don't be fobbed off like I was.

Good luck, I hope you sort out whatever is going on xx

Thrush?
Certainly something to check out.
thanks

Just looked up a few archived threads about it, DS ahs the white tongue so I'm hoping this is what it is and I can get to the docs tuesday.

Sounds like thrush to me. Excellent breast feeding network leaflet on it here best nip it in the bud.

I was just reading that and it makes sense now, he ahs been fretful and pulling off during feeds, I didn't realise his mouth was hurting him

You might even get a friendly out of hours doc to prescribe you the kit over the phone and fax it to an open chemist. I remember one doing it for me after my second bout of it with ds. You need capsules and cream for you and gel for ds's mouth too. Hope it clears up quick. Its so worth persevering - hang on in there you're doing a great job.

I'm going to try and get in to see the out-of-ours doc tomorrow, don't hold much hope though as they like it to be a 'proper' emergency.

It sounds very much like thrush to me - I've had it on and off for 4 months now with dd2.

I second getting daktarin cream for you and daktarin mouth gel for the baby. ASAP - over the counter from the chemist. Don't wait as thrush can get really painful qute quickly. Plus make a dr's appointment anyway and ask for fluconazole tablets.

Good luck

DP's on the phone to the out-of-hours doc now.