Healing nipples - let them dry or keep moist?

[ShirlWirl]

I have VERY sore nipples with a big crack in each and small blisters on the tip. My LO had his TT snipped today and already it feels better but my nipples need to heal properly. How can I do this when I'm feeding so often (on demand at the moment)? Also, should I keep them moist with lansinoh or let them out in the air to dry?
Thanks in advance for any help

 

[ThunderPearls]

When I was breastfeeding and had cracked/bleeding nipples I would let them air dry and then put the lansinoh on them between feeds/close to the next feed to soften them a bit to stop them cracking again.

 

[NurseSooz]

Yup I agree with the above. Don't keep them soggy as mine went macerated.

 

[ShirlWirl]

Ok - thanks. I've been keeping them moist but will let them dry a bit before next feed. I'm currently walking around the house topless lol! God help anyone who brushes against my boobs haha!

 

[Athena]

Aww hun it is so sore in those early days. I was constantly slapping on the lanisoh as this really soothed mine I didn't dry them. I have a half a tube left so proof that eventually yours will stop hurting hun mine are fine now. Good luck x

 

[firsttime83]

Ok - thanks. I've been keeping them moist but will let them dry a bit before next feed. I'm currently walking around the house topless lol! God help anyone who brushes against my boobs haha!

LOL I walk around in a nursing/sports bra all day. Got sick of taking my tank top on and off. Plus it's hot and humid lately.

Athena, your side profile picture is SO cute. Just wanted to mention

 

[armywife11]

I would nurse then rub breast milk on them and then air out. A bit before she nursed again I would put on nipple butter (granted I was sometimes putting it on a few seconds before latching her).

My breastfeeding team pushed highly on walking around the house topless letting them air dry, lol. They were also the ones to suggest using breastmilk to help sooth and heal the cracks. I have found that advice in many places and to be honest I used it more than the butter. She had a shallow latch but I was able to help correct it for the most part by the time she hit three months. They toughened up and can apparently take a beating now. She went through a biting stage a month ago. lol

Good luck hun!!

 

[ShirlWirl]

Thankyou ladies, I hope they get better - they are so sore. Did anyone try nipple sheilds?

 

[ThunderPearls]

I second using breastmilk as iv heard thats good. I was told not to though as I had thrush and thrush thrives with the sugars in the milk!

Hop they ease up soon!

 

[superfrizbee]

I patted mine dry very gently as I heard that was the best thing to do (?) then dabbed them with a little breastmilk with my finger and slapped on the lanisoh nipple cream. that stuff is amazing.

 

[NurseSooz]

I used nipple shields and I believe they prevented me giving up. I had a huge crack round the edge of my nipple which was gaping and so painful. I was recommended trying the shields temporarily to allow my nipple to heal a bit. I used them for a week on week 3 postnatal. I've never looked back and would use them again.

 

[Athena]

Ok - thanks. I've been keeping them moist but will let them dry a bit before next feed. I'm currently walking around the house topless lol! God help anyone who brushes against my boobs haha!

LOL I walk around in a nursing/sports bra all day. Got sick of taking my tank top on and off. Plus it's hot and humid lately.

Athena, your side profile picture is SO cute. Just wanted to mention

Thanks

I thought the exact same thing about your profile pic! X

 

[SHAMto3]

I'm a big fan of coconut oil to repair cracked nipples. Lather some on your breast pads and then on your nipples after each feeding. It will get better.

 

[ShirlWirl]

My left boob seems to be getting better now but righty is still very sore with a big crack like its going to fall off I think there maybe a latch problem on the right. I'm waiting for the lactation consultant to see me so hopefully I can get it sorted. Until then I may have to use a shield but don't want the little man getting confused as he's doing so well. I'll try to heal it with your methods first xxx

 

[NurseSooz]

Maybe express from the badly cracked side. You don't want to end up with an infection from the crack. I kept feeding when I had a big chap on the side of my nipple and got abreast abscess so look after your nip!

 

[ShirlWirl]

Ooo that's scary! I don't want that! Maybe I could express - I think I'd only have to do it a few times, just till it heals

 

[NurseSooz]

It's best that than bubba causing more trauma to your poor nips!

 

[ShirlWirl]

Thanks nursesooz Just been to midwife - she said officially they don't want you using a breast pump until 6 weeks so she couldn't recommend it but basically told me that's what I should do for 24 hours, maybe 48. So I'm going to pump my first lot now