Sore nipple - what, and how can I fix it?

[Essie3]

I have one sore nipple - this started last week, and I've been bfing for 5 months (!). Never had any soreness whatsoever at the beginning so maybe now is payback time.

Whatever. It's hurting in a sort of raw way, no blood or broken skin, but it smarts whilst feeding, and also a bit generally. I've been putting Lansinoh on religiously but to no avail. I have noticed a thick blue raised line (a vein??) on the top of the aureola (sp?) and I don't have that on the other side.

Any ideas, and how can I fix it?

Could it be a blocked duct? if it is feed your baby off of where the blockage is ie position baby so their mouth is actually on the part that hurts that should clear it.

This is a good website to read through breastfeeding problems and ways to resolve them, have a read through the 'getting it right' section. Btw my baby's 5 months too!