Newborns and cracked nipple help please

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

Hello. DC2 is 6 days old and we are EBF. I had loads of problems with DC1 which resulted in him being hospitalised at eight weeks and I am determined to get feeding right this time. It's going well, in that DD wants to feed lots. But I have really bad cracked and bleeding nipples from a bad latch early on (seen lactation consultant and think we have it right now but the wound reopens every time we feed and boy does it hurt). Right side far worse than left hand side. Is there anything I can do to speed up recovery or make it hurt less? I haven't fed on the right hand side for 12 hours now and have pumped instead just to give the nipple a break. Is this ok?

Any advice very welcome. I know we just have to get through this initial phase and once feeding is established it will all be worth it, but right now it's not much fun....

Have you got a tube of lansinoh cream? It's the best you can get and you don't have to take it off to feed. Is about £10 a tube but lasts aaaages and is well worth it.

Also there are silver nipple healing cups called silverette which are supposed to speed up healing dramatically. These are about £30 though...

You are doing so well, glad you've got your latch sorted now, I remember the pain well, hang in there

Thanks for the replies. I am using lansinoh which does help. Will also look into the healing cups. I know this is just temporary but it's so hard as I want to scream every time she latches on. Thanks for the encouragement.

I had this. Dreamt about the pain of it a few nights ago. Horrific. Lasted a few months for me, until I got some silverettes. Fantastic fantastic things! If you decide you'd like to try some, I'm happy to sell mine on, just send me a CAT if you have it.

Other things that helped (apart from lansinoh) were lots of fresh air, breast pads (I used washable) changed often to ensure no germs sitting around in bra), hot washing bras to ensure they're super clean. My mum says gentian violets was used 'in her day' but I've no idea what that would entail. Hope you get it sorted!

You can buy new Silverettes here

Poor you nipple shells are very helpful to as they will keep the nipple dry by collecting the leaking milk which you can keep and freeze if you like and also they keep your bra and clothes off your poor sore nip's... And let the air to them to heal them quicker, i used to go topless quite alot as it was jus me and ds1 at home all day alone nd he didnt care but it really helped me... And of course savoy cabbage leaves from the freezer too. Hth

Oh my toes are curling for you!

Second the lansinoh and nipple shields. Are you taking painkillers? I took paracetmol and ibuprofen regularly for the first few weeks, helped with afterpains and sore lady bits as well as my poor nipples.

I also took a deep breath when DS latched on and counted slowly to ten (a left-over from labour breathing), by the time we got to 10 the pain was going.

If you can bear it do try to feed from both sides. If not, don't worry, you can prob catch up by giving preference to that side later on.

Well done for getting this far, worst will be over soon, promise

I had the same problem in both nipples and tried many remedies but in the end it just seemed to need time to heal. I agree with Hairymelons with the deep breathing. Also, in the longer term i tried to think to myself that "by this time next week it will be healed" and try to focus on the good it was doing her. I went through tubes and tubes of lansinoh and only found out after about 8 weeks that it is available on prescription so don't waste your money! Well done for persevering.

Is FourArms still about? I just wanted to pop on and say that if the OP doesn't want your silverettes i'll gladly be second in line to buy them... Am getting prepared for dc2 due in March

I'll send you a CAT Dalrymps.

Thanks!