Cracked sore bleeding nipples - and a 6 day old - HELP!

[iamamummy]

hi ladies

I have a 6 day old ds who i am bf'ing, however my left nipple is cracked, bleeding and bloody painful! my right side is very sore but i am still managing to feed but the left has become literally impossible. I gave ds formula this morning as i just couldnt bare the pain. i really dont want to give up as i know this is what is best for him and he wasnt too keen on the formula anyway. what can i do?

feed from the right and express from the left?

nipple shields?

i have no clue and desperate for advice!

thanks

Have you tried Lanisoh? (available from chemists / boots - expensive but worth it)

If you search nct or La Leche League they will have a breastfeeding counsellor (sp?) who may well do a home visit.

or

Call the health visitor / maternity ward and ask if they have a lactation expert who you can either go and see- or again - perhaps ask for a home visit

Others will come to help on here - so keep checking

(by the way - it does get better - promise!)

forgot to mention, i have seen the bf'ing lady and she said he is latching on lovely with a very strong suck and that the pain should ease off. 2 days later.....still agony!

chocolatedays - i have the lanisoh cream too and lashing it on!

i used lansinoh and breast shells ~(avent, at boots) to avoid the nipples rubbing against fabric. healed in 2 days. good luck!

After you finish feeding/expressing, try squeezing out just a little bit more milk, rubbing that into your nipple and surround. Let it air dry and then apply pure lanolin (is that the same as Lansinoh?) thick and gooey like ear wax, but works magic! I was also recommended to use a silk hankie instead of breast pads so got my dad to raid his sock draw. Needless to say he hasn't asked for them back...

BUMP - Anyone seen TikTok??

Nipple shields just for a few days til the worst is over and breast shells in your bra (or walk around topless!). This has worked well for me in the past.
Lansinoh does nothing for me.

THis is all great advice, i was in the same boat and got mastitis and then a yeast infection on my boobs, all v v v painful BUT one day you'll be happily bfeeding and think "god this is so easy". i am still bfeesing at 13.5 months and had a similar strong-sucking baby. maybe introduce a dummy. my health visitor said it help. Unfortunatley my DH kept taking t away as h was opposed to dummies. I am still annoyed about that .. anyway. 7 days in and you are in the hardest part, i promise you it gets better. homestly.