Whats the best breast pump for cracked nipples?

[whatsthetimemrwolf]

Hi, I've got 6 weeks before DC3 is due and I'm trying to plan ahead. I suffered with cracked bleeding nipples & mastitus with DC 1 & 2. Breastfeeding was pretty disatrous with both DC but I'm desperate to try again.

In anticipation of the cracked nipples I'd like to get a breast pump and wondered if anyone could recommend a gentle one? With DC1 & 2 I used an Avent hand pump which worked fine but seemed to take forever and was also very squeaky! I tried a cheapy toys r us battery operated one and that was even more painful than DC's latch (and thats saying something!). Thanks in advance.

cracked nipples are generally a sign of poor latch.

i'd recommend rather than buying a breast pump you research what breastfeeding support there is in your area. NHS run cafes, the baby cafe, la leche groups etc
all are open to expectant mums as well as breastfeeding ones, and it gives you a port of call once baby is born if you need any help

Yup, this is yesterday is right. If you visit drop in groups or whatever else is available locally, ideally before the baby is due (you can generally bring along older kids), then you will know what help is available afterwards.

(And hand expressing, which any BF expert will be happy to demonstrate to you, might be best, should you have this problem again, because it doesn't involve putting any strain on the nipples.)

Get yourself a pair of Silverettes from breastfeeding heaven (google them).

I had 2 crap bf attempts too and bought them just in case with DC3 and we have been bf (exclusively!) for nearly 26 weeks. It hasn't been without its problems (tongue tie ripping my nipples apart) + mastitis 4 times (and thrush twice). Anyhow, the Silverettes have saved my life as even with a good latch DS2 kept cracking my nipples. They are a MIRACLE.

I also second getting yourself to some bf groups. I went to them literally 1-2 times a week for the first 6 weeks or so. They helped adjust my latch to make the tongue tie less problematic and gave me a boost of confidence when I needed it.

Re breastpump get yourself an electric double pump. I bought a great Ameda Lactaline 2nd hand on ebay. It gave me a break during cluster feeding for DH to give a bottle AND with my 2 older DC's it meant I could pump with less time.

Good luck. Successfully bf a 3rd can happen for you.

Thanks for your posts. With DC2 I was visiting the breastfeeding clinic at the hospital every day but didn't really find that much help - I will look into alternatives like La Leche though.

Mincepaella - great to hear you are successful 3rd time round! I've read a few recommendations about silverettes on MN. I take it you think they're worth the money? Can you use them with lansinoh? Did the ameda lactaline make the cracked nipples any worse/painful to use?

The ameda's good because you can vary suction strength and speed independently of each other. Also, I think you can get different sized cones to fit your nipples/areola better. The fact that it's a double is also a lifesaver with other DC to look after.

I do also second the advice that you get proper advice on your latch from early on.

I use the Silverettes w/a bit of breast milk dropped in them. When I am not using them, I lather my nipples with Lansinoh which you can get on prescription.

Re going to different bf groups not only was I getting help/confidence building but I also used as a playgroup/outing for my older DC's. Nearly all of them had an area for children to play. It was a win win situation for us.

As far as I'm aware, cracked nipples is more to do with the constant fast drying of the nipples - much the same as your lips. Would strongly recommend lansinoh after every feed as well as high quality breast pads for the first few weeks.

I found that the electric pump that was borrowed from the hospital got LESS milk off that my hand pump. I used the Closer to nature one and think it's pretty good.

Thank you! Will keep my eye on ebay for an ameda!

Never knew you could get lansioh on prescription - thats v useful to know! Thanks.