Seeking Help for Sore Nipples

My mom is a lactation consultant and gave me a miracle cream as well. I needed the cracking to HEAL and only the cream and a nipple shield for a week or two worked. The cream did need a prescription but my mom told me about a patient she had that just used neosporin and it worked great. My baby was positioned great and latched on correctly, she just could hold onto the side of a barn with how powerfully she sucked. Ouch! Keep up the breastfeeding, it's worth it!

Have you tried nipple sheilds?

I second the previous nipple shield recomendation. They were a life saver for me.

I would recommend asking your lactation consultant or pediatrician for a nipple cream. My lactation consultant who is also my son's primary care provider had a recipe for an all purpose nipple cream that worked miracles. The pharmacist had to make it, but it worked when lanolin did not. You apply it twice a day and need to wipe it off before feedings. If you want more information let me know.

If you do try nipple shields, don't do it for very long. It reduces the stimulation on your nipples which will in turn reduce your milk supply. Good luck!

Ok, you're going to think I'm out of my mind but Cabbage works great! Get a head of cabbage and take a knife and stab into it 3 times to make a triangle and then pull out the pile of little triangle pieces. Wash them and put them into a baggie in the fridge. After feeding put one triangle on each nipple. At first it will shock you because of the cold but by the next time you nurse the cabbage piece will be all shrivelled up and all of it's moisture will be absorbed into you. Within 1-2 days you should be as good as new. My kids' ped. is from the middle east and this was her suggestion. I used it for both of my kids because they were both tongue tied and I got VERY sore and cracked. I swear by it!
Best of luck,
J.

I had the same problem when I was nursing my youngest daughter. my grandmother told me to put cold cabbage leaves on them......also to rub some breast milk on them

S.
okay so i totslly feel your pain- i have twin boys and i exclusively nursed them from when they were five days old. i tried lanolin and gelsheilds,but nothing really made it better...until i stopped using the lanolin and just put breast milk on each of them after nursing. actually i did it whenever i could. since i pumped too,i could just give them a bottle when i hurt too bad and then pump to keep my supply up. i also switched the nursing pads i used to more comfortable ones that are contoured..it wasthe evenflo brand...i have a hard timeusing any other brand now.it was really bad for a time, but i kept going and it got better. i'm convinced it will for you too!!!
T.

Ask your lactation consultant about nipple shells/shields by medela. they helped me in the beginning. Wear them after feedings(in nursing bra), but rubbing a little breast milk and exposing nipples to air also helped. check how your baby is latching on and try a different position too. Keep trying, it does get easier, and what a gift you are giving your baby!!

I work as a RN in a local hospital in postpartum. Everyone has great suggestions for you. I'd definitely try a nipple shield (surprised the LC hasn't suggested that already!) The nipple cream that people have suggested is APNO cream, you'll need a prescription for it. You could always give yourself a little break from BF'ing altogether and just pump and feed your breastmilk in a bottle. Some people heal up after doing that for a few days. I'd definitely check into the possibility of your son being tongue tied too. Good luck! I hope you get some relief soon. Good job for sticking with breastfeeding.

Try putting on your nipples some of your breast milk. It sounds weird but it worked for me. I would put some on and leave it air dry then put clothes back on. Worth a shot, I know how painful it can be.

Hello S.:

I would try to reposition the baby...maybe a football hold or while you sidelye.....or possibly try latching him as far onto the areolar area as possible.

Warm wishes for success.....I know how much it hurts.

~K.

Mandy P is right. The best thing to do is to express just a little milk and rub it on your nipples and let them air dry (that only takes a few seconds). I lived in Ireland for nearly 5 years and that is what all the Doctors, Midwives and nurses tell you to do. They actually tell you to stay away from the counter creams because they do nothing for you and may do more harm then good.

My son is now 17 months old and I am still nursing him but had the same problem you are describing when he was quite young. I too tried the Lanolin and pads but those did not work...the only thing that did was to squeeze out a little milk after each feeding and rub it around on your nipple and then let it air dry on there before you cover up. The milk actually has healing properties that work better than anything you can buy to use on yourself. I SWEAR by this technique and how effective it is!!! I had actual sores from being so chapped and it hurt so bad to nurse but I knew I wasn't giving up! Good luck with it...nursing is such a rewarding experience for both you and baby!

If they are still that sore and cracking, I would think that maybe the latch wasn't correct.

I would try the nipple shields. Are you having supply issues?

I ended up using nipple guards. You can buy them at Babies R Us and I think target. They were wonderful. This was the only thing that helped me and I had really cracked/sore nipples also. The only downfall was that my daughter got used to using these and I had to use them all the time. It was worth it to me though. After a few months I just tried nursing her without the guards and she took fine. If you have any other questions feel free to email me. B.

You could try nipple sheilds. You'll need to pump after each feeding to keep up your supply, but they definitely help you get over the cracked nipples. Your lactation consultant will be able to show you how to use them properly and how much to pump.

It's great you're working with a lactation consultant. You may have a correct latch and still have pain, however. If your son is tongue-tied you will still have extreme pain, even with correct positioning, etc. I had this problem with both my boys and had both of theirs cut (Caleb's at 18 mos and Keenan's at 1 mo). I myself was tongue tied until I was 17 when I chose to have it severed. I knew when my first son was born (in the delivery room) that he was tongue tied but was convinced by the hospital's pediatrician that he wasn't. Make sure there's nothing physically wrong with Duncan's mouth. If there's nothing wrong, I suggest using nipple shields until the cracking heals. The breastmilk on the nipples works also. I also read somewhere about putting lettuce or cabbage leaves on them. You'll have to check on that as I can't remember the vegetable! :) If worse comes to worse, just pump and bottle feed. You'll have the peace of mind that Duncan's still being nourished by your body.
Good luck, I really relate to your situation. It's so frustrating, but there is help out there. Don't give up!
C.