Advice for avoiding cracked nipples in early days of breastfeeding.

[Lizbiz89]

So I'm very recently pregnant with my 3rd baby and I'm really determined to have a successful bfing journey this time around. 1st time I had latch issues so I ending up using nipple shields which meant that my dd wasn't getting enough milk so I ended up combined feeding for 6 months.
With my 2nd baby ds fed extremely well from the get go and even increased his birthweight in the first week. HOWEVER I ended up with extremely cracked nipples which made bfing (especially the latch) almost unbearable. Between that running around after a 24 month old I just couldn't go on any longer. Anyway I'm absolutely determined to have a successful journey this time around and was wondering if anyone could give me any helpful advice regarding the cracked nipples? Did you have any miracle products which helped you continue? My latch wasn't a problem as the midwives said it was perfect. Really want to avoid the cracked nipples this time around and the nail biting pain. Any advice would be really appreciated.

I ended up with cracked and sore nipples with DS (I do have very sensitive nipples to start with). I ended up using nipple shields for about 2 weeks then after I took them off they was absolutely fine.

I was told to massage my breast milk around my nipples and let it soak in. I found it helpful.

Try the multi-man compresses, they were the only thing that worked for me (you can cut them in half too so you don’t need as many). You could always just use nipple shields for the tough feeds to try and limit the impact it has on your milk (I always found it harder towards the end of cluster feeds but would be able to manage at the start)

Oh yes I remember well how sore that was - I relied heavily on lansinoh cream and then after a couple of painful weeks it just seemed to pass.

Remember that cracked nipples are pretty normal. It's like wearing in new shoes. Once they've healed and are used to the feeding it's fine.

Rub some breastmilk on them and let them air dry.

Also make sure you have all your support around you. Part of that is your partner etc caring for the older children while you sort the baby.

Experienced BF supporter here.

It INFURIATES me when a mother is told her latch is perfect when she is in pain. It absolutely can LOOK perfect but if there's cracking/blisters/pain, something is not right. Well done for perservering in some very difficult circumstances.

Honestly, I would be inclined to think perhaps your children have tongue tie.

The best thing you can do is have a look online for your nearest breastfeeding drop in, run by a lactation consultant or breastfeeding counsellor (not HV/MW). Go along in late pregnancy - this is really useful for just knowing where it is, where to park, the format etc. Many of them are happy for you to bring siblings. You can have a chat about the basics of positioning and attachment, what to look for, and how best to deal with cracks (i like jelonet - you can buy sheets on amazon - cut a square, peel the paper away, fold in half and pop on your nipple between feeds).

Good luck!

Also cracked nipples are really not normal. It can feel a bit sore from overuse sometimes but cracks, blisters, bleeding are not ok.

Thanks for all of your replies. Yes bottom line is I'll make sure to seek a second opinion if I experience the same struggles as last time. I'll also make sure to ease engorgement with expressing a little before a feed. I believe this is when it all started to go downhill for me as my breasts were so engorged I started to struggle to latch my son. Looking forward to hopefully having a more successful journey this time around.

Dry nipples thoroughly and then Lansinoh cream every time. Keep a tube in every room you’ll be feeding in so it’s always in reach.

Thanks @SalviaOfficinalis do you recommend applying straight away after birth? I only started using it with my son after the cracked nipples started so it didn't seem to help fast enough.

Yes, I would use it straight away as preventative.

I used the lanisoh nipple cream and silver nipple covers inbetween feeds - massively helped!

Its 22 years since I was last breastfeeding but I used nipple shields from the start for number 3 and used an amazing cream called Kamilosan which you didn't need to wash off before the next feed. It might not be available any more.

Thanks everyone. So helpful. @wishuponastar1988 I've heard great things about those m

Sorry painted by accident. @wishuponastar1988 I've heard really good things about those metal cups. Did they help you a lot?

Posted*

Using a Haaka pump is good for easing engorgement, can put any milk drained to side for top up feed if needed as well

Silver nipple cups absolutely saved me. I did have a few excruciating cracks from first couple of days of bf and having clothes touching nipples was too painful, the cups helped with healing and stopped pain from nipples touching clothes.

Use lanolin preventatively and then if you do get any pain use silver cups and/or multi-mam compresses. They're all amazing! Best of luck to you.

Little silver nipple cups. Expensive but 1 million percent worth it

Silver nipple cups as prevention and Jelonet as cure.

@Lizbiz89 yes I would highly recommend them. By day 3 my nipples were so sore I thought they were going to fall off baby had a poor latch I think and some after birth complications meant she was feeding for absolutely ages with a terrible latch and think that really damaged my nipples. At one point one of them was cut and bleeding. I would lather the cream on between feeds and wear the silver nipple covers to help them recover - nipples were healed within a couple of days and then the pain/discomfort subsided after a couple of weeks completely. They were a must have investment in my opinion.

@wishuponastar1988 you've officially sold it to me 🤣. Going to add it to my baby list.

Thank you everyone else for your replies as well. I will be parking everything everyone has said in my memory bank. I think because I'd always used the nipple shields with my dd, when my ds came was born my nipples were not very hardy and I had no idea how much engorgement affected latching.

Medela Hydrogel Pads

I had a perfect latching baby as well, according to at least 4 people (HV, midwife etc). Bleeding nipples, healing started at day 7/8.
Asked an IBCLC lactation consultant, DD had a complete tongue tie...

Lansing cream all the way. It's a miracle worker for prevention and cure.