Cracked nipples and cabbage

[Lolasmum]

I've had cracked and bleeding nipples for the past week (DD2 is 9 days old). They are much worse than anything I ever had with dd1 whome I fed until she was 16 months old.

I remember an old wife's tale about cabbage. Does it work on cracked nipples or is just for engorgement?

Any other advice would be greatfully received...

I thought it was just for engorgement, tbh.

Is there a cream called Lansinoh for cracked nipples? I think I've read that on here. I used Camillosan but then read it had peanut oil in it (this is going back a few years, it may have a different formulation now). I also remember my MW saying to rub a few drops of your milk into your nipple.

I thought it could be for sore nipples too but I could be wrong. Another to reccomend the Lansinoh though.

My nipples never got to being really cracked but were beginning to and were incredibly sore. Savoy cabbage down the bra definately helped.
Also usd Kamillosan cream - don't know about the peanut issue - and a lanilin based one from Boots - both good.

Also spreading some of the breast milk over them & leaving to dry helps.

my breasts were a mess with ds2 and i found the cabbage leaves incredibly soothing for the engorgement and the cracked nipples. my nipples kept scabbing onto my bra or breastpads and the the scab would break when i removed the clothing. cabbage leaves helped prevent this.
the lanisoh is great too.you've got all my sympathy with this-its horrendous.

I've got some lansinoh left over from dd1. The midwife told me not to use it... Should I ignore her? I feel like the pain is driving me mad. I so want to, but at the same time don't want to, give up BFing.

Going pick up a savoy at sainsburys tomorrow. Am off to express now just to give my left boob a bit of a break.

I used an open tube of lasinoh that a freind passed on to me - probably had been open a couple of months. Never did dd any harm & definately did me some good !
I guess it depends how long ago you're talking about !

Cabbage for engorgement, not cracks.

Oooh sorry about your nipples. I had this with child number 4 (after trouble-free feeding with 1,2&3). In my case it was caused by thrush. If that's your problem, get it sorted quickly.

Otherwise it may well be a problem with latching. Have you anyone who can help? BF counsellor? Good mw?

Ignore me if you already know this but .... try lining up the baby's nose with your nipple before she goes on. Nose to nipple, wait for wide mouth, then bring her on. That makes sure she has most of the areola inside and that your nipple is on her soft palate and not being gnawed.

It's worth really spending time on positioning now while she's learning.

You could try feeding her underarm (using lots of cushions so your arms/back don't get tired holding her up). That means she'll be rubbing on a different bit of the nipple.

Sometimes it takes a bit of adjustment and the baby's mouth needs to grow!

I can recommend Lansinoh cream which is the only one recommended by the excellent Breastfeeding Network. It's lovely, gentle moist wound cream and you don't need to wash it off before feeds.

Also I took painkillers just to get through it. Otherwise I think I may not have been able to keep on BFing. I'm so glad now that I stuck with it.

If it's any consolation I'm typing this with my huge bruiser of a 6 month old on my knee sucking away happily.

I really feel for you and I know what it's like. The Breast Feeding Network website is really brilliant. They and/or la leche league would be able to put you in touch with a counsellor if you need one.

Sorry this post is long. I hope some of it is helpful. All the best. x

DO check the website because if you have thrush there you need to get it sorted and treat baby too.

I wondered if it could be thrush esp as dd2 was on antibiotics for 3 days immediatly after she was born. But, its only 1 nipple that's painful. I thought if it was thrush it would be in both.

As to changing position, with dd1 when I had cracked nipples I just lay on my side to feed her. With dd2 it doesn't matter how I feed her; rugby style, on my side or normally. The nipple hurts either way.

I've now given left boob 24 hours off. I'm going to take some painkillers and give it another go.

Thank you all so much for your support. Dh is being a major pain and keeps giving me these 'oh stop your whinging faces'.