Help! Extremely cracked nipple, what to do??

[Matila10]

Hi ladies,

While me LO seems to have finally gotten the hang of the latch (I think), one of my nipples is extremely sore and cracked (bleeding in three spots) from the many failed attempts of the last few days. Basically, my right breast desperately needs a break.

Someone suggested I pump out some milk and give it to her in a bottle and continue nursing on the left side until my right side heals.

First, does anyone have any other ideas? I know I'm taking a big risk of nipple confusion ( LO is one week old), but I had tears streaming down my face this last time trying to nurse on that side and nearly wanted to give up.

Second, If I do give her expressed milk in a bottle, how many ounces should I start with?

Thanks for any help and ideas! I desperately want to make breastfeeding work!

 

[Matila10]

After doing some reading and research on here, nipple shields come up a lot for issues like mine...does that seem to be a better idea?

 

[TennisGal]

Hiya, I had the same...poor ally was even possessing up blood from my nip...I kept feeding from it, bathed it breast milk and air dried *all* the time and used lanolin. I'm now feeding with no pain, and have been for a while. It does get better!!!

Am not sure on the pumping, and I didn't use nipple shields...but just wanted to share what worked for me, in case it helps.

 

[Rachel_C]

I would avoid bottles at all costs (bad experience of them first time round for us!) but you could cup, spoon or syringe feed her maybe.

 

[Wiggler]

Oh hun, I know exactly how you feel, my nipples felt as if they had been attacked by a cheesegrater. I would 100% reccomend Lansinoh, its pricey but its amazing. I smeared it on like it was going out of fashion, and kept my bra off - just wearing a loose fitting top so nothing rubbed against it and carried on feeding as normal and within a week I was feeding pain free again. Now the only time it hurts is if the ckeeky girly bites.

You are doing fab hun x x x

 

[moomin_troll]

are u using nipple cream?
lanishion cream is a god send, i put it on after every feed and its helped heal alot of brusing i had

 

[Matila10]

Yeah, ive been using Lansinoh nipple cream & leaving it out to dry...I'll continue to do so for sure. Maybe I should just be trying to stick it out? I keep hearing it gets better, but I can't even imagine putting LO to that breast right now!

 

[moomin_troll]

a nipple sheild might be good for u then until u heal.

it really does get easier x

 

[lau86]

I'm using nipple shields for that reason, I'm finding it alot less painful. If you go down that route just beware it may be difficult to get Lo to latch on afterwards but if your still feeding from the other side it shouldn't be a problem. Good luck your doing really well I never imagined it would be this painful! I'm sick of experts telling me it's not supposed to hurt!

 

[Matila10]

Thank you for all the encouragement! I just tried her again on that side and she did 10 minutes before it suddenly started again with the excruciating pain. I think that's a decent feed, tho. The milk comes out super fast on that side, might be a part of the problem?

 

[Wiggler]

Has she been checked for a tongue tie? That can cause pain during feeds x x x