14 months old - cracked, bleeding, lacerated nipples, but not due to biting...

[sparkle12mar08]

Please help me - I'll do anything at this point!

Ds2 is 14 months old and still feeds upwards of four times in 24 hours. He has eight teeth and I'm certain he's teething again now, although actuall biting has never been the problem. We've never had any real problems with feeding at all up until now, thankfully, and I don't really want to stop (despite the effing and blinding as he latches ).

About two weeks ago I noticed a slight sore patch on one nipple which rapidly turned into an open crack. It's on the line where the head of the nipple starts to flare out into the broader areola. It's as if all the natural wrinkles and crevices in the nipple are becoming open cracks. And since then the same has appeared on the other nipple too. It's absolute agony as he latches and for the first minute or so but then doesn't really hurt once I'm used to the suction. In between feeds they crack and open and start sticking to my bra as the wounds weep a bit. I've been using Lansinoh for a week now with only limited effect. They do start to heal but only get so far.

So I think I've got two issues - 1) how to heal the damage I've got so far, and 2) how tp prevent more damage? Taking 2) first, I'm assuming that it's been caused by a bad latch, but up until the point of the soreness I never noticed anything wrong - we're both well practised at this now, but maybe we've both become lazy? He doesn't chew or pull on the nipple, and seems on the face of it to latch strongly and well. I do try and get his mouth as wide as possible, and I do take him off if it's too painful but I haven't tried changes of position yet. Would sitting upright on my knee help, or other trusted solutions?

And on healing, am quite tempted by the silverettes (if anyone has any they want to flog...), but had also wondered about trying some silicone shields for a while. Don't know how he'll take to them though - anyone think it's worth it?

So I'm open to all suggestions - it's agony and is not getting better...

Thrush? Have you seen your GP? It sounds as if you have some kind of infection - either fungal or bacterial, so you should have a swab taken to identify it. Then have the appropriate treatment.

Thanks 3littlefrogs. I must admit I hadn't put much thought on that side of things as there's no other pain at all, no discharge as such, apart from the plasma when they crack, and no discoloration. There's also no evidence in ds's mouth. And whilst I'm not particularly confident in my doctor's bfeeding knowledge I will try and make the appointment though, as if there is anything there it needs dealing with.

Anymore for anymore? Or does it seem like I am I doing all I can? I hope not as I really need to heal the damage and stop anymore, and I don't know how short of giving up...

It does sound like thrush - very similar symptoms to what I had. My DS had nothing in his mouth either.

There is a good leaflet published by the Breastfeeding Network that is an advice leaflet to Drs/other health professionals about how to treat nipple and breast thrust. I took it with me when I went to see my GP.

Hope you can get it cleared up soon - don't leave it incase it gets into your milk ducts - now that really does bloody hurt!!

Thanks Alibaba - I had deep breast thrush with ds1 for weeks and the pain was above and beyond anything I've ever known before - I'd give birth before wishing that back on myself again! I think that's probably why thrush hadn't crossed my mind this time round as it's not nearly as bad, but in the last two days ds2 has developed it on his bottom - it's all pointing in the same direction isn't it? Will check out the BfN info too.

i cannot urge you enough to buy some silverettes available here I heard about them on MN when I had an agonising deep cut on the side of my nipple for weeks and doc prescribed daktarin which did nothing, and after wearing silverettes for a few days it healed completely. DD was 11 months when this happened and i think maybe the latch changed due to new teeth.
Get the gp to check it out, it may be thrush, but these things you can wear anyway and they can only help. Good luck.

Sounds like my thrush experience!

Okay have just devoured the BfN thrush leaflet and am fairly convinced. I know it's easy to self diagnose and make symptoms fit a cause, but really, I'm ticking all the boxes they suggest. So will make the appointment asap.

Thanks so much all, I honestly don't think I'd have considered thrush properly if you hadn't pushed me into it!