breastfeeding with plaster

[cherrybun01]

hi all,

7 month old has recently got two bottom and her two top teeth. her top teeth have scraped so much on my areola on the right side she has broken the skin and it is so so painful to feed. my mum has suggested putting a waterproof plaster over it so she can still feed. is this safe? I know shes not allergic to plasters but is there any reason anyone can think of not to do this? I really dont want to have to stop breastfeeding but it's getting worse every day :(

thanks

Would nipple shields not be a more practical solution? Waterproof plasters always fall off in my experience (not that I've tried them in this specific way, but you know what I mean) so I can't think that using them in this way will end in any other way!

Have you tried lansinoh ointment? It’s great stuff. Forms a waterproof healing barrier. Safe for feeding you put a layer on before and after each feed.
Also try changing her position so teeth aren’t touching the broken area (ie google rugby ball hold just for a few days)
I think a plaster wouldn’t do any harm but will probably infuriate her and not work!

Try nipple shields and the rugby ball feeding position, it will completely be a different position of her teeth

I've also heard good things about hydrogel pads for nipple healing, although I've not tried them.

okay thanks, I will try a different position initially! it's such a shame as if i cant get it sorted looks like i will have to stop prematurely :(

Sheilds!

Just buy nipple shields why the two of giving up early?

If you want to stop now that’s ok not that you need permission from random strangers but 7 months is great going. Feeding an older baby is a whole new challenge really as they become more interested in the world, mouth shape changes , new routines with food etc. Do what works for you.

Give her some raw carrot to chew on! The teeth are razor sharp when they first come through and this can help.

Her latch should adjust in a day or two to miss the teeth anyway. I think the plaster couldn't hurt and would be cheaper than nipple shields.

I've fed both of mine with a full mouth of teeth :) Honestly it's a couple of days' discomfort while they first erupt and then you can't feel them any more.

she was a nightmare when I used nipple shields before so I'm not sure how I would get on with them. I dont want to give up early but I have a wound on my areola that is bleeding, sticking to my pads and is excruciating when she is latching on. I have loved the experience of breastfeeding and feel very proud to of gotten to nearly 8 months but I cant have open wounds all over my breasts and be in this kind of pain to stubbornly continue

I am feeding her from left side more atm to give that side a break and to try and let the cut heal. I will check out the cream and trying to express from the right side but she doesnt often take a sippy cup!

its not just discomfort though - I've got a cut on my areola that is scabbing over then being broken again every time she latches onto that side. think like when you have new shoes and they rub your foot, its like that being rubbed and broken over and over again

Yes I understand that, sounds horrible! I would try to avoid it by position and sticking to the other side as you say. I wouldn't worry too much about expressing, unless you get uncomfortably full. At 8 months supply isn't likely to be an issue.

But her latch should adjust within a day or two so her teeth shouldn't rub you then.

so a small waterproof plaster worked! still a bit uncomfortable but not painful and no more cut being reopened. I think it's worked because it's not on the actual nipple its further up so isnt affecting her being able to latch and its just her top lip touching it not her mouth. that's a relief

Glad to hear it!

My son done the same. I just put loads of nipple cream on it during the day and before and after feeding. I would sometimes miss a feed on that side. Took a good few day’s to heal

I remember those days even though they were a long time ago!
Look up "moist healing and breastfeeding". If you get a sore on your nipple it's best not to let it scab over as the scab will just keep coming off. I used a petroleum based dressing called jelonet which you can buy in pharmacies to put over wounds, then when feeding would just smother the nipple including the wound with Lansinoh which is magical stuff. Good luck and well done!

I could have written your story!!

You’re of infinitely more help to me with this thread than I can be to you since I’ve not found a solution yet but you are not alone!

My daughter is 8 months now with four on top and four on bottom, she’s not biting me but those razors are rubbing holes on both sides! I breast fed my first successfully until she was 13 months but my second is killing me despite what I would say ways a good latch. (I’m sure her teeth are sharper than my first daughter!)

I can sympathise with the sticking wounds and re-opening sores... I’m going to try your plaster idea, the carrots and maybe changing position but she bit me a couple of times before she had teeth so I’m not convinced a position change won’t get me in more trouble!

I hope you find a solution - I’ll be following! 🤦‍♀️🥰🤞

I'm not at this stage yet as DD is a slow tether but my Nan with all her old school wisdom BF 11 babies until 12-18 months. She said when baby bites/scrapes end the feed. She's adamant even at an early age they understand and stop