Please help me :( sore nipple and wanting to express

[Bubsta]

My son is 4wks old tomorrow. Since the beginning of bf, I have had one nipple that has been grazed and sore. I saw Lactation consultant a couple of times in the first week and a half, and he is now latching on properly, but my nipple just hasn't healed. I've been using Hydragel discs on it trying to heal it but as yet, it still hasn't healed properly. Ithas improved slightly, but still an issue. Well, tonight I thought I would try the Lansinol instead of the gel disc..... Bad idea . My nipple stuck to my breast pad. I tried water and expressed breast milk to safely get it unattached but I ended up doing more damage again. The thought of my son feeding off me tonight brings me to tears. I thought I might just express of that side or the next few feeds (it's Friday night here, so I wouldn't be able to see anyone about it til Monday if need be) but I'm concerned that I will increase supply.
How do I express multiple times in a day without increasing supply? I thought maybe just not emptying but then I was worried about mastitis. Can someone please help me? I'm struggling and emotional. I'm sick of having this damn sore nip. It sure isn't making bf enjoyable.

 

[PearDrops20]

I have one sore nipple that just doesn't want to heal fully, I would express from it as if he's still feeding from it, so a couple of times a day and then once through the night, it didn't increase my supply. hope that helps

 

[Bubsta]

Thanks Peardrops. Did you empty each time? X

 

[lunawaffles]

I had this happen and my LC said to pump as he is feeding and do it for the same amount of time, but I ended up just emptying. But considering I timed it right when the breast my son was eating from was emptied, it ended up being alright. I know it sucks, I still have a gnarly cut on one of my nipples and I literally cry out whenever he starts eating ; ; but hang in there. Good luck!

 

[Bubsta]

Thanks Lunawaffles, so you had your son emptying one while you were expressing the other? I generally alternate BBs each feed as I have a pretty good supply (hence why I don't want increase supply by pumping) - so it should be ok to pump/empty just before I would normally feed him off that side and my supply shouldn't increase? Did it take long for your nip to heal with him not feeding off that boob? X

 

[Bubsta]

Just re-read that you still have a cut I hope it heals soon for you. So expressing didnt fix it?

 

[PearDrops20]

Thanks Peardrops. Did you empty each time? X

Yeah I would express until it was pretty much empty, I don't think I emptied fully at night though as I was too tired lol

 

[Peardrop]

I had exactly the same problem and it was making my early BF days really horrible. I still remember that toe curling and breathe hard pain! I feel for you x

The lovely BF lady at the Royal Women's in Sydney suggested that I expressed that side for 48 hours which I did and fed from the better side only. I think I was just a week or two in and had an adequate supply. I did pump but was lazy, don't think I did it at night just a few times during the day. Maybe I was lucky but it didn't change my supply. Think my voracious eater had sorted me out within a few days. Maybe you'll be ok if you feel your supply is all fine so long as you do some expressing to remind your breast to keep making milk.

48 hours break gave my breast enough healing to be able to feed back off it with much less pain and it healed completely within a week or two.

Good luck. Hope it works xx

 

[MissCurly]

I would pump to match what los usual feeding habits are.

And would empty it too.

 

[beeba]

Have you tried soaking your nipple in BM? You could wet a towel with your BM and then just leave it on your nipple until it dries. My nipple was all broken and bleeding in the first week and BM healed it in less than 2 days

 

[Siloet]

Hi, I am sorry you are in so much pain. The first couple of weeks of BMing are tough, but hang in there and it will get much better...promise

so, my suggestion to you would be to pump or express on the side that hurts and have your baby feed on the other side. At this stage, I wouldnt worry about your supply just yet. Your BM supply is dictated by the pituitary gland at this point, so you may be making ALOT more milk then you need, but in the coming weeks, your body will regulate itself and start making its milk via supply and demand. So basically, if you feel like you are making too much milk right now and you are afraid of making even more, just keep in mind that it will all regulate itself in the coming weeks according to what the baby's needs are. hope that makes sense? Like you said, you dont want to risk getting mastitis if you dont express. (ive had mastitis and it is terrible!)

Also, try putting some lanisoh on your nipple and let it air dry for a little bit while you lay on your back (so your nipples are not being stimulated by anything). This will help the wound scab up and heal.

hope I helped. Your doing a great job...

 

[lilesMom]

hi bubsta xx
hope ur feelin better xxx
every time u feed or express put a little bm on ur nipple, air dry it and then put lansinoh on it and air dry it, go braless as much as poss and apparently sun on ur nipples is the best but we don't have anmy in ifreland
I read these tips somewhere while searching for my answers to sore nips