In agony - anyone know where to buy Silverette cups?

[babyincubator]

Hi there,
I've got a lovely 8-day-old newborn boy - am really struggling with breastfeeding from my left boob as got cracks - it feels like razor blades every time he latches on. I've heard that Silverette cups work wonders - does anyone know where i can buy these? Either a reputable website or a shop in London?

Am really in pain and going slowly mad! Feeding on my right breast is working fine so i know what it 'should' feel like - it's just my left breast which hurts... Any tips v. welcome - Thanks

incubator - I don't know where to find silverettes but when I was in the same situation a wonderful, wonderful lactation consultant gave me some jelonet. You can buy it in pharmacies and it literally turned things around for me in days. It's a moist wound healing gauze. You put lansinoh on your nipples, cut a small square of jelonet and place it over your nipples and cover with a breast pad (remember to remove before feeding). It really, really helps and it very cheap and available form boots.

Website here

You could also try Jelonet. It's a burns dressing but heals deep cracks in nipples really well. It's also nice because you can cut a small piece to keep in your bra in between times. You'll find it in the burns section in pharmacies (though perhaps not Boots I recall. I got mine from Lloyds). Really great.

X-post!

I feel for you as I remember the pain so well, for me it was my right breast! It does get better though and should heal for you in a couple of weeks but here's a few tips to make things a bit more bearable:

• Use plenty of Lansinoh, you can't use too much, it really does help with the healing and keeping the wound moist as that is what is important, don't let it dry out and scab.

• Try using breast shields as a temporary measure as it will provide a barrier between your nipple and the discomfort of BFing with cracked nipples. Use them with caution though.

• Try feeding you baby in a different position to what you normally do as this will help to change the pressure points and might give you some relief.

• Do be wary of thrush as this can enter through broken skin and will cause pain. You are more susceptible if you have taken anti-biotics recently. If the pain doesn't get any better after the cracks have healed then you may have it. You don't need the classic 'white furry coating' to have it. It can just make feeding extremely painful and it is a nightmare to get rid of.

All the best and things do get easier and less painful!

www.breastangels.co.uk