Hole in nipple getting bigger & bigger.. help please before my nipple comes off

[iamaLeafontheWind]

I think it started as a milk blister or DD biting, but I had a bit of a sore spot on nipple. Checked Kellymom & searched Mumsnet - did hot towels & carried on feeding though v painful.

Two weeks later & I have an expanding hole in my nipple & it still hurts. HV checked it but between feeds it sort of closes up & looked like nothing, straight after a feed it gapes and it's now about 4 mm wide. Neither me or DD are ready to give up feeding yet but because of her age I'm not expecting much help if I go to the docs (but can't get an appointment for another week anyway).

So, do I feed more, feed less & just give up?

god you poor thing, hang in there, tiktok or one of the other bfing gurus will be here in a minute.

you haven't said how old your dd is, but tbh it is irrelevant as if you want to feed her you should!

4mm hole sounds pretty scarey though...

Hi Sophable, DD is 9 months but a complete boob monster

9 months is early early days!!! what kind of an unsympathetic hv or doc have you got that wouldn't encourage you to keep feeding???

hang on in there and between us we'll keep bumping this until someone with some expertise comes along.

it sounds to me (and i know jackshit) like it might be a follicle that has become infected?

Yay, thanks!

I think you're probably right, but i'm out of ideas to mend it without giving up feeding.

Gosh, it sounds awful. Poor you.

Bumping...

But in the meantime, does this help? Have you googled "wet wound healing"? I can't quite figure out what you're describing, so forgive me if this is no use at all.

I had a wee hole a while back, and it was extremely sore! I think it was cause he bit me. Not sure how it appeared, but I can tell you it went away all by itself, and the pain went with it.

Try some lansinoh, and get to a bf group.

Leaf - the doc should see this, and prescribe something.

Not up to the doc to withhold help because of age of your baby

And at the useless HV

Thanks everyone, I'll keep on slapping on the Lansinoh til I can get to the docs. Tried giving DD formula last night to give a bit of time off but she was having none of it, even though she'll happily drink it while I'm at work.

Luckily DH, my Ma and MIL are all very pro BF, having read some of the stories about unsupporting families I really appreciate it.