SORE Nipples -HELP!!

Oh I feel for you! I remember that all of those things happened to me too! Not to be discouraging, but it took my little one and I over 8 weeks to finally get to the point where there was no more pain. Please don't give up- it will get better!!!! I tried all of the vinegar washes, antifungal, Mystatin, grapefruit seed extract wash- you name it. Finally, the only thing that worked for me was the gentian violet- but it stains everything purple and can be a little shocking to see! I only treated my nipples with it, I didn't give it directly to my infant- but he got some treatment when he breastfed. There is lots of good information on the net about it. You get it through your pharmacy, there is no prescription- but they usually have it behind the counter. Hang in there!!!

There is no pain to match the pain in your breast when that baby latches on and there is some type of infection. I had a mastitis earlier this year with my nursing baby girl, Phoebe. In addition to taking antibiotics, like you, I continued to nurse on that breast and had to bear with the pain. I know it feels like knives but it will pass and get better. It is critical that you continue to nurse from that side, especially since you are only 4 weeks in or you may lose your supply on that side. Best of luck and try to stay strong, the pain should subside within a few days.

If you really want to breastfeed, the kellymom website is a wonderful resource - there is TONS of information there about breastfeeding, help with everything that can possibly go wrong, and even sleep issues and attachment parenting.

www.kellymom.com

A.- i am sure u have recieved tons of emails.. but i wanted to try and keep u encouraged to keep up the great work.. the first few months are the hardest-- in all senses. i feel your pain.. i too had sore nipples- bleeding and cracking- blocked ducts- 2 time of mastisis... but i am so happy i pushed-- you can DO it too.. i nursed both my boys exclusively for 15 months each..

i want to sound encouraging but i also want u to know.. try and if it doesnt work-- that is ok too.

as for the nipples.. try and keep your bra off as much as possible. the natural air is the best. lilly pads - they sell them at different stores are great.. and just raw cabbage.. straight from the refrig- right now the boob..

keep it up- u can u do it!!

best of luck..
-L.

When I was breast feeding my son suck my nipples so hard i got sores and my doctor told me use A & D ointment which healed my nipples quickly and it doesn't hurt the baby. i was able to use the ointment for healing and still breast feed.

Had the same problem once. I ended up trying a couple of different things....

1. If you have it on your nipples...baby has it in his mouth. You have to treat baby too.

2. Easiest to get solution is garlic oil. Go get garlic oil tablets from a pharmacy...walmart has it for sure. Before and after ever feeding poke a whole it the tablet and gently rub it on. Baby will get it in his mouth when he feeds. Make sure you stay as dry as possible between feelings. I won't hurt baby...in fact some studies show baby love garlic. It doesn't hurt to eat lots of garlic too.

3. If that doesn't work try Gentian Violet. It does stain everything purple...including baby...but it does work.

4. Lot of yogurt also. Just make sure it is Danon or some other brand that has natural biotics used to make it. If you are really in pain...you can put the vanilla flavor on you too. Put it on cold...leave it for a couple minutes. Sounds really weird, but it helps a lot.

Take care...I know you must be miserable right now. That really can hurt.

Hi A.,
Oh, I feel for you because I have been there! It happened to me with my second baby. It can get better - my hope is that it will quick!

I had a neighbor who came and watched me, I was letting her latch to the nipple rather than getting the whole aerola (sp?) in her mouth. When you bring her to your breast, touch her top lip several times with your nipple to entice her to open her mouth very wide. This will enable her to suck with her mouth nearly open, rather than sucking your nipple and causing the soreness. They suck harder because it is not stimulating the flow well that way.

Also, you may already be doing this, but apply warm cloths then cool clothes to ease the soreness. After you nurse her, allow it to airdry by not putting your bra back together for a little bit. You can also sprinkle proibotics (capsules you can get at whole foods) right on your nipples before you nurse. She and you will get help with the right bacteria balence.

Are you taking plenty of proibotics - you should be if you are not. Especially on diflucan, you want to get that right balence back for her gut and yours. Whole foods or Willner Chemist (in Buckhead) or any natural food store should have a good basic proibotic, refrigerated. Make sure they are capsules.

Make sure you are drinking plenty - that is hard to do, but very necessary.

Last, you may want to pump every other feeding so you can rest your breasts until the soreness gets better. Just be careful not to pump too often as it gets hard sometimes to keep your supply up - especially with a 2 year old to care for as well!

Getting latched right will improve things radically, although it may take a couple weeks for the soreness to go away.

Thinking of you - J.

A.,
I'm not sure if this will help, but my nipples hurt until about week nine with my first child. Finally, at that point, they toughened up. I have a friend who breastfed her second child and she said that it hurt a lot more with the second child. So, perhaps, they are just still tender and will toughen up soon. I did use a breast shield on one of my nipples when it was just absolutely painful. Maybe that will help.

i feel your pain. (or did) when my youngest was breast feeding, my nipple literally tore. i cant tell you the amount of pain that i went thru each time she went for that breast. but, once she latched on, the pain was gone. it was just that initial contact with it.
for the engorgement, you can try using warm washcloths.
i know you want to continue breast feeding, but have you thought about investing in a good pump. im surprised your lactation consultant hasnt mentioned this. pumps are a wonderful friend. it can help heal up your nipple, and the engorgement. you can try to either pump solely and give him a bottle until you are over this. or after he is done nursing, put on the pump. and that will also help with your milk production. maybe you are producing too much, that could cause the engorgement, or waiting too long in between the feedings. either way, the pump can help you out.
you can freeze the breastmilk for a few months, or leave some in the fridge, so your hubby can help out with the feedings.
i hope this helps a bit, and the girls feel better soon...

Hi,
I'm brand new on this site and I noticed your post. I am currently having a terrible bout with adult-onset acne on my face and have been researching ways online to help it. I came across so many people that have used olive oil and had wonderful things to say about it. I started using it on my face each night before bed and have been using it for approx. 10 days now. It is a miracle! My acne not only cleared up, but age marks are significantly lighter. I use EVOO. I've read on the online posts that doing this on sore nipples also helps a great deal and it's all natural, so it shouldn't hurt your baby. Good luck, and I hope this will work for you. A.

Congratulations on your baby. I too am passionate about breastfeeding and have been through everything when nursing my three babies for a year each time. None of them took to it well but we worked it out and it has been the most rewarding experience. With my last one, which I am still nursing, I had mastitise several times and torn and infected nipples. My LC made me take 2 days off of nursing so I could heal. I pumped with an electric pump which I purchased 7 years ago with my first baby and was able to build up my milk supply, heal and allow my husband to help out with the feeding for a couple of days. I was sad and confused at first because I didn't want the baby to be confused with the bottle thing but that never happened. I took care of my nipples with ointment and warm wash clothes and made sure my clothes did not come in contact with my nipples. They actually healed rather quickly. I also used a breast shield while nursing. You can get one for about $10 at babys r us but make sure it is the right size. I would ask your LC first. Hang in there. You are doing the right thing. Surround yourself with nursing mothers, ask questions and know that it is not easy, it takes time but the more you do it the easier it gets. Good luck!

I was there as well! I know how painful it can be in the beginning. Maybe, try pumping and feeding expressed milk with a bottle until things clear up and revisit breastfeeding?

I hear ya! Even after the yeast is gone, you could still have pain from trauma. Lansinoh after every feeding that you don't use the antifungal ointment should halp sooth them. Pumping instead of nursing will help them heal faster too. If you just need a pump for occasional use (or for a day or two), get a Medela hand pump from Target or Babies R us for $35.
Good luck. I'm 8 weeks in and still working on perfecting it.

I just wanted to add that if you try the gentian violet, get some Oxy Clean powder. Soak everything that's stained for a few days and the stains will come out. I know what you're going through. With my first, I had plugged ducts, mastitis, yeast and the baby was tongue tied. give it some more time and it will get better. I ended up nursing my first until a month before his third birthday.

A.:
How I sympathize! I got a yeast infection after 2 months of breastfeeding my 4th child. What agony! I did what the doctor said for about a week, and then I gave up. Every feeding was like having someone grind glass in my breasts. If I had had better support, I may have been able to work through it. But I don't regret weaning him. No mother should be expected to live indefinitely with that pain, especially when you are trying to raise other children at the same time. If it is not unbearable, use the lansinoh and try the gentian (no one told me about that when I had it), but I think there should be a voice of reason somewhere who says, it is not the end of the world if you HAVE to give your baby a bottle. I have 5 children and 3 nursed successfully for extended periods. Two didn't, and it doesn't make me a bad mother or a failure at breastfeeding because of the problems we encountered. There is also something to be said for having a contented baby and the positive effects on your mental health and therefore your baby's happiness. Good luck, and know that whatever you decide, you are doing the best for you and your child!
M.

Hi A.,
In my experience, even tho they latch on correctly and you still have pain, I used a silicone Breast sheild and that help tremendously! It's a silicon nipple cover that "sticks" to you. It doesn't take away from nursing at all and you don't use it forever, but it's a great aid when you have pain! It can be found at Babies R Us. It's worth the try! I had issues like you and that was a life saver! You may contact me directly if you need further support.

Best of luck!
A

A.,
I had this problem with nursing one of my little ones. You shouldn't still be hurting after two weeks of treatment. My dr. prescribed an oral medication, and also a cream made up of four ingredients mixed together. Just one antifungal ingredient doesn't always clear it up, especially if you have been dealing with other problems and didn't realize you had the yeast infection until you had had it for awhile. It's been a few years so I don't know what the ingredients were (one was clomitrizole-not sure of the spelling-but I don't remember the other three). I would ask you ob/gyn about this. Also make sure you wash your nursing bras, and any shirt/nightgown/pajamas you wear that come in contact with your breast, after one wearing, preferably in hot water. It helps to lay them in the sun to dry because sunlight kills yeast. Do the same with your towels after a shower/bath. Otherwise the yeast will be on your clothes and towels and you are still spreading it around. Make sure you wash your hands every time you nurse. I used the gentian violet too but it did not clear up until I used the quadruple cream. And I couldn't handle the staining. I hope you are able to find relief soon.

Aw, all I can say is it will get better! If you can just get past it and stick with it things will improve with time! I've done 4 for a year or so each, and though I never had major problems it is certainly an adjustment. I've known lots of people get through it though! Hang in there!

Hi A.. sorry to hear your situation, but I can relate. I also had multiple issues including yeast infection in my nipples (it's a fungus). I had lots and lots of pain and wanted to cry every time I breastfed. I bothered the gyn so much that I took 3 different courses of Diflucan to get rid of it. I also tried Gentian Violet. You can get it at Walgreens. It is a small little container of purple dye. You put it on your nipples and then let the baby nurse without anything but a diaper on. It's extremely, extremely messy and stains!! So be careful using it, but it does help. Your baby's mouth and lips...possibly the face...will be purple and stay that way for a couple of days. You use it for 3 days and it should really help you get relief. For a more detailed explanation on use call you lactation Consultants and ask about it. If they are of no help call Kennestone Hospital LC in marietta. They sent me information and were very helpful.
For phone support:
Breastfeeding Center at WellStar Cobb Hospital: ###-###-####
Breastfeeding Center at WellStar Kennestone Hospital: ###-###-####
here is the web address:
http://www.wellstar.org/ws_content/ws_womens-health_conte...

also go to google, type in Gentian violet and look at the images so you know what the bottle looks like so you can buy it in the store.

The following info is from Dr. Sears website. The only thing I did different is put the gentian violet on my nipples and let the baby nurse. this works better and it's easier than swabbing the baby's mouth first. Most pediatricians don't like gentian violet, but I used in anyway, because I needed something to work. Also I am an MD, so I felt confident using it...but it must be used according to the guidelines!! Otherwise your baby will end up with sores in the mouth.

---If the candida is resistant to the standard treatments described above, in consultation with your healthcare provider, try a 0.25 - 0.5 percent solution of gentian violet applied to your nipples twice a day for three days. Gentian violet is effective, but messy. Also, apply a small amount once a day to baby's mouth, but be aware that overuse of gentian violet may irritate the sensitive oral mucus membranes of baby's mouth. Apply Vaseline to baby's lips before using the gentian violet to avoid purple stains.

Please go to this website and read about thrush and ways to treat it.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t028100.asp#back

and

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t083100.asp#back

Hope all gets better. Push through, I did for a couple of months with pain and everything cleared up. I stopped nursing my son at 1 and it was the most enjoyable part of being a mom for me. I really miss it!!

God bless. Keep us posted on your progress.

I know exactly what you are going through, but just hang in there cause it is best for your baby. Go to the drug store and ask the Pharmacist for Gentialian Violet. It is a very cheap fix. You paint it in the babies mouth and then on your nipple and let them feed. You babies mouth will be purple until it wears off but it worked for me. I had never known that you could get yeast in the breast and some moms on her told me what it was. Anyway, seems like if you can make it through the first few months that problems are less and less. I never thought I'd still be breastfeeding and here it is 13mos later, anyway my little was is very healthy and happy.
Best of luck and just hang in there.
H.
(mom of 3)

I can completely relate and I have found the answer to my prayers for relief of very painful nipples. And I mean so painful I cried every time he latched on. My baby was latching on correctly too. I just have very large nipples and sensitive skin. A friend of mine got me these plastic nipple shields from Avent. It was a little weird at first because you hardly feel anything with them on. But that's the point right? I also have a very fast flow and the shield slowed it down so that my baby wasn't choking on the pressure washer speed of my milk. All the pain has completely gone. I still get clogged ducts every now and then but at least my nipples are pain free. Baby took right to it too, no issues. Hope this helps, and literally, I feel your pain.