New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

My nipples are so sore and bleeding. What can I do about it? any tips would be great I do not want to give up but the pain is hard. I'm hoping my milk comes in today or tomorrow. I delievered on Saturday.

Thanks
Denise

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

Are you putting the Lansinoh cream on?

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

I am

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

Make sure the latch is correct and if it is, lather up on the cream. If the latch is correct, it will hurt upon latching but the pain should subside within a few minutes and you should just have a pulling sensation. If it still hurts after she has latched and been on for a while...I would double check the latch.
It took me a good month before there was no pain associated with latching.

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

Hang in there. It was really painful for the first 2 weeks or so and I know my latch was correct. But after a little bit, the pain went away and it was okay.

But yeah, I can relate to dreading the next feeding b/c it's so painful. The lanolin cream helps and air drying helps too.

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

Just keep putting the cream on and hang in there. It is super painful in the beginning. My milk took forever to come in and it was so frustrating. I wanted to give up so many times. Now that DS is 3.5 months it is so much easier.
As other suggested, make sure the latch is correct. When DS wouls first latch on it always hurt for a good 5 weeks. Then after he was on for a while the pain would go away. If you don't think she is latched on correctly, take her off and help her latch correctly.

Message edited 6/17/2009 10:27:06 AM.

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

Sorness in beginning is common. Could be the latch. Lansinoh after every feeding or Olive Oil reccommended by OUr Lactation Nurse. Air dry as much as you can to heal Hang in there!

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

As previously posted, in the beginning it does hurt but it DOES get better. In those first couple of weeks, I would tear up when she'd latch.

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

Lansinoh and air drying, its about all you can do. Hang in there, it eventually stops hurting!

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

i had the same thing, and my sons latch was fine. in addition to the lanisoh cream, i liked the gerber breast therapy balm they sell it at the bru in commack, and also get the gel pads. I actually started to pump after 2 weeks of just BFing to give my nips a break.

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

thanks ladies this is a learning experience I love getting the advice from ya

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

i might get flamed for this but another thing you can do is use a nipple shield. Maybe not EVERY feed because you don't want the baby to get dependant on it but maybe start with every other to let your nipples heal in between putting the baby directly on them.. honestly, i breastfed 4 kids now and even though they are not recommended by LCs they are the only thing that kept me going thru the pain!

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

I agree about the sheild so your nips can heal, if you are bleeding latch is probably not good

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

hang in there, it gets better! i agree that your latch probably isn't exaclty right, you have to work on it!!! FM Blissful, she has great breastfeeding websites she can tell you about with videos that show good latching...helped me a ton!!!

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

You can also rub breastmilk on them (like a cream)I read that on here I believe and I swear it works better then the lansinoh cream...

After a feeding Id express some milk, rub it on my nipple, air dry for a few minutes and then apply cream.... my nipples are doing great and other then the initial latch, no pain at all!!!

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

I put cold tea bags on and it helped me a little!

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

Aquaphor, and they also say put some breastmilk on your nipples too if they get sore or cracked.

Re: New Mommy Question Breastfeeding and Bleeding Nipples

they make gelpads- you can find them at BRU in the BF section.... my lactation consultant had me use them when i was all super sore/cracked... they helped ALOT and pretty fast... just make sure to read the directions as you need to wash off before feeding.