Nursing Help - Cuba,MO

I'll tell you that pump is a killer! If you've been pumping a lot recently that could be it. Others have suggested bigger flanges, and yes, look into it, but even then my nipples were raw the entire time (I pumped exclusively for months). The nipple shields do help a lot. Also the soothie pads, which are expensive, so I only did it a few times but they helped a lot too. I think try the breastmilk remedy, air dry and get some nipple shields.

I couldn't tell you the name of the stuff that I had to use, but I called my lactation consultant at the hospital and they told me about this stuff that is attached to a backing (like cloth), but it's almost like a gel or jelly on the other side. It stayed cool and kind-of mushy against my nipple and made it easier for it to heal. Good luck, I know it's miserable!

Hi,

Put some of your own breastmilk around the whole nipple and areola. It will greatly help with the irritation. Use the lansinoh every chance you get to put it on. Apply breastmilk to nipples after each feeding and air dry before putting a supportive nursing bra on. Make sure your baby has a good latch-- if not, get some lactation help from a lactation specialist. Good luck!

M

I agree with the other posts, also be careful washing them with soap in the shower which can be drying. I was always told to just run water over my chest. When I had to pump while my daughter was in the NICU my nipples got so raw and painful, the lactation consultant had me bring my pump in so I could pump in front of her and she can see what I was doing. She took one look and said I needed bigger sized (I am not sure what they are called) but those funnel things that go over the breast. The center hole where the milk goes through were too small. I would have never thought, but the difference was like night and day, and the pain went away. Oh and if you can stand it try to air out while your home, no bra. HTH

sounds like you've got some great suggestions. i second the apno, with all 3 children (and I've almost, my youngest is almost, nursed them all past 1 year) it made a huge difference in the beginning. Also, I suggest going to a La Leche League meeting if you can find one remotely close. It's great for support, and to see women who have had the same problems and find out how and when they got over them. Nursing really is hard work. Celebrate all you are doing for your baby, but be sure to take care of yourself so you want to continue doing all that for your baby.

kellymom.com is a good breastfeeding website too.

Happy nursing.

K.

Yes, I like the answers too, about putting breastmilk on them and letting yourself air dry. You can also soothe them with purple cabbage leaves and warmed black tea bags. Good luck! You're doing great, and if you've come this far, you're doing it! It will be worth it too!

I don't really have any other suggestions myself. Just wanted to say I feel ya. I had the same problem when nursing my son. I rubbed Lansinoh on them numerous times a day hoping it would help. I would use it frequently and just kind of grinned and bared it not really knowing of anything else I could do. You know what? It improved after a week or so. I think maybe they just need an adjustment period. ;) Good luck! I hope your suggestions work! I will have to try these myself when my second baby gets here in March.

After your nursing session, rub some breast milk onto your nipples and then let them air dry. Once they are dry, then add the lansinoh. You could also try rubbing some olive oil onto your nipples instead of the lansinoh (messy but oh so good for your skin!).

Also, 6 weeks is growth spurt time! You may find that in a few days your son will back off again with the nursing and your nipples will feel better.

Your doing great mama! Keep it up!

let the air. You could try bigger flanges. Express some of your own milk on them.

I had something similar and called my doctor about it because it was getting very painful to nurse (I was beginning to crack and bleed). They perscribed APNO (all purpose nipple ointment) that you need to get from a compound pharmacy. It gave me such relief and helped quickly heal the area.

Plus I think with time it gets better because your skin gets used to nursing. So hang in, you will get relief soon!

Breast milk worked for me. Express some and let it soak into your skil then let them air dry. I know this part of the post is very redundant, but it WORKS! Please try....it is a free, easy remedy.

One thing I would NOT try if you want to continue to nurse is using cabbage leaves. This will dry you up!! It is a great solution for women who are engorged and do not want to nurse. You sound like you do want to continue so try all the other suggestions, NOT this one.

sounds like you might need bigger flanges. But for the raw nipples I got a prescription from my OB for Newmans ointment. i would not have finally be successful at nursing my third (didn't make it very long with my first two) if it wasn't for the stuff. LOVE IT!

Are you using nipple shells? After you nurse, rub in the lanolin and then either let your nipples air dry for a while or use one of those plastic bubble shields that keeps your bra/clothes off of your nipples so they don't rub. (Like these http://www.babynewsonline.com/store/shop_product.php?UPC=...) Those things saved my life when I was nursing in the beginning. I would also leave one side of my nursing bra open while I was nursing on the other side to let the just nursed nipple have a chance to "relax" in the open air before I closed it back up again in my clothes.

Best of luck. You're doing such a great thing here and it WILL get easier! :)

Hilary

Congrats on your new baby! Nursing is TOUGH, especially in the beginning, and it is particularly tough on your nipples. Lansinoh was not enough for me. I found a great cream called Motherlove that is all natural and can be applied right before a feeding (it's totally safe for the baby) so it protects you're nipples during nursing instead of just after.

It is available at Whole Foods... not sure if you have any near you. Here is a link in case you need help finding a place that sells it: http://www.motherlove.com/

K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao - great toys and games for babies and kids of all ages!

Tea bags or cabbage leaves! Hang in there...it does get better!

I really sympathize because I suffered with raw nipples while breastfeeding my daughter. It would be good to talk with a breastfeeding consultant from La Leche League and ask about the possibility of a nipple yeast infection. These can follow on either you our the baby having a course of antibiotics, or thrush or yeast related diaper rash in the baby. Some mothers also just seem prone to yeast infections. I wish I had known about this possibility. I'm sure it was my problem.

For soreness during/around nursing try the oinment suggested or I got some all triple nipple ointment from the doc. I used it after every feeding and then put nipple shells (not shields) in my bra. The shells keep anything from touching the nipple and lets them heal. I got mine at the hospital. With in 24 hours of starting those things I was much improving and my nipples were completly healed in 72 hours.

When you have to pump again, take time to make some changes. I saw that others have already suggested bigger flanges. Also you can use lanolin or olive olive on the aerola or flange to reduce friction. Also be mindful of the suction, if it get turned up to high. Pumping should not be painful.