| Posted By |
Message |
buttercup
St. Jude pray for us...
Member since 1/11 2951 total posts
Name:
|
cracked nipples
DD has an ok latch with a nipple shield. This morning as I nursed her, I saw tinge of blood, my nipples have been killing me for a few days now. Any idea how I can remedy this?
She won't fill up from my breast either.. she'll suckle, stop for like 15 mins, doze off and then scream bloody murder when my breast is right in front of her. I nurse her twice during the night, her cries and my pain are not a good combo, and to top it off, I have pump any leftover so I can feed her again.
I don't think I can keep this up.. as much as I want to BF, my sanity level is going down.
|
Posted 11/17/11 9:59 AM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
MamaLeen
:)
Member since 10/09 4594 total posts
Name:
E
|
Re: cracked nipples
I am not sure how old your DD is but it is hardest in the beginning. Once all of the kinks are ironed out it is MUCH easier and more manageable.
I swear by nipple butter! It is so healing and safe if the baby happens to ingest some. Also, when my DS was going nuts and not latching I would get up and walk around while BFing, it worked every time. He would be distracted and then latch easily. Try to breathe and relax while you are nursing because they feed from your energy. It gets easier, I promise.
Good luck!!
|
| Posted 11/17/11 10:06 AM |
| |
|
buttercup
St. Jude pray for us...
Member since 1/11 2951 total posts
Name:
|
Re: cracked nipples
DD is 10 days old..  I get so scared come feeding time.
|
| Posted 11/17/11 10:12 AM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: cracked nipples
Aww, you're doing great! These days can be tough...have you seen a lactation consultant? You have FM.
|
| Posted 11/17/11 10:19 AM |
| |
|
JDC112010
He's my hamball :)
Member since 10/10 1419 total posts
Name:
Jessica
|
Re: cracked nipples
I've come down to switching. I'm using formula and milk. I have an extreme low tolerance for pain, and my bottom area still hurts a lot. Don't feel down about Breastfeeding. I know plenty of people that will use both and don't have a problem with there poop or digestive system.
But there is another cream also my SIL swears by, it's by NUK. BRU sells it.
|
| Posted 11/17/11 10:20 AM |
| |
|
bpmom
Feeling Blessed
Member since 6/07 2963 total posts
Name:
|
Re: cracked nipples
Posted by buttercup
DD is 10 days old.. I get so scared come feeding time.
I used a LOT of Lansinoh in the beginning. Don't get discouraged -- it'll be worth all the hard work/aggravation/frustration. I must say it took me six weeks to get a good nursing relationship with DC#1. Cracked nipples, bloody nipples, shooting pain -- totally worth the  relationship we built while nursing.
|
| Posted 11/17/11 10:24 AM |
| |
|
MamaLeen
:)
Member since 10/09 4594 total posts
Name:
E
|
Re: cracked nipples
Posted by buttercup
DD is 10 days old.. I get so scared come feeding time.
Awe  I know it is kind of scary to have a crazy sucking mouth coming at your boobs, especially if it hurts, lol. Is she latching properly? That can make a big difference in the pain. Also the more tense you are the worse the experience will be. I know it is easier said than done but try to relax as best you can. Maybe take a bath (once your DD is cleared for it) with her. Or put some soothing music on in the background. Keep a cold glass of water nearby and take a break to drink and restart.
Your DD is only 10 days old, this is the HARDEST part and it WILL get easier and easier. I really feel for you because I was in the same exact position, it was SO tough at first. DS and I made it through and BFed for 14 months. You can do it!! 
|
| Posted 11/17/11 10:27 AM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: cracked nipples
Saline soaks! Mix salt water in a cup and kind of place it over your nipple and hold it there for a few minutes. Make sure it's warm water.
Also, call your hospital and see if theres an LC you can talk to or even better a support group. I was convinced I was giving up, even bought the formula after 2weeks, 2.5 months later I'm still EBF thanks to finding the right support.
Good luck
|
| Posted 11/17/11 10:33 AM |
| |
|
jlk51496
Mom of 3 - YIKES! =)
Member since 10/09 6758 total posts
Name:
Katie
|
Re: cracked nipples
bleeding, unfortunately, is completely normal in the beginning..
Your nips arent used to all this action 
They make nipple creams to put on in between feedings...In a few weeks they wont be as sore! I promise!
10 days is still really early! DOnt get discouraged! It takes a couple of weeks to be fully comfortable and established with a routine..THere was many times in the beginning I wanted to throw in the towel but I ended up BFing a full year with BOTH DD and then again with DS!
As far as the crying..have you tried to express some milk first to leave on your nips..before your LO latches???...if they latch on a dry nip in the beginning they think you are offering them a paci instead and may not realize that milk will eventually come if they work a little...but if they get a lil sample they might not get so frustrated and will latch!
Good luck! Feel free to ask any questions! It def "ain't easy" but will get easy over time! I promise!
|
| Posted 11/17/11 10:34 AM |
| |
|
RocPin
Life's Beachy <3
Member since 2/08 6765 total posts
Name:
Heather
|
Re: cracked nipples
Posted by jlk51496
bleeding, unfortunately, is completely normal in the beginning..
Your nips arent used to all this action
They make nipple creams to put on in between feedings...In a few weeks they wont be as sore! I promise!
10 days is still really early! DOnt get discouraged! It takes a couple of weeks to be fully comfortable and established with a routine..THere was many times in the beginning I wanted to throw in the towel but I ended up BFing a full year with BOTH DD and then again with DS!
As far as the crying..have you tried to express some milk first to leave on your nips..before your LO latches???...if they latch on a dry nip in the beginning they think you are offering them a paci instead and may not realize that milk will eventually come if they work a little...but if they get a lil sample they might not get so frustrated and will latch!
Good luck! Feel free to ask any questions! It def "ain't easy" but will get easy over time! I promise!
ITA
I went through the same thing. I wanted to cry every single time I looked up at the clock and noticed it was time to feed again. DS wouldn't latch at first. I had to temp him with a syringe and formula and use a nipple shield.
Once we got past that the pain came in full force. Im talking chronic pain all over my breasts even when he wasn't nursing. Blood shooting out of my nipple into the pump  . They hurt so bad that I was terrified to even touch them to put on the nipple cream. It was awful and if I wasn't so stubborn I would have given up. DS was already not getting enough from me that I had to supplement with formula.
Now he is almost 11 weeks and it has gotten 99% better. No more pain, blood or fighting me. He is still FF/BF 50/50 because I never produced enough to feed him but I no longer dread feeding time. I actually look forward to it.
You need to do what is best for you and baby but I promise you it does get better.
|
| Posted 11/17/11 11:03 AM |
| |
|
imyself
Member since 10/06 2938 total posts
Name:
me
|
Re: cracked nipples
Posted by MamaLeen
I am not sure how old your DD is but it is hardest in the beginning. Once all of the kinks are ironed out it is MUCH easier and more manageable.
I swear by nipple butter! It is so healing and safe if the baby happens to ingest some. Also, when my DS was going nuts and not latching I would get up and walk around while BFing, it worked every time. He would be distracted and then latch easily. Try to breathe and relax while you are nursing because they feed from your energy. It gets easier, I promise.
Good luck!!
Nipple butter is a gift from the gods! With dd I started using it at 36 weeks pregnant and then used it after every feeding for the first couple months. I had no pain whatsoever. I wish I had known about it when I had ds. Also double check the latch. That is usually the culprit. Try different holds until you find one that works for both of you. Dd would only nurse in cross cradle and ds in football. It will get better.
|
| Posted 11/17/11 11:30 AM |
| |
|
buttercup
St. Jude pray for us...
Member since 1/11 2951 total posts
Name:
|
Re: cracked nipples
Thank you everyone. I started the saline soaks, and I do feel much better. I ordered the nipple butter as well, but my friend said she used coconut oil and it helped as well, so I put some on and relief is there. I fed some pumped milk to DD earlier, to give my breasts some rest and just fed her now and I feel like a new person.
Thank you for all the tips and advice.. a little bit of encouragement goes a long way.. thank you all..
|
| Posted 11/17/11 6:14 PM |
| |
|
MamaLeen
:)
Member since 10/09 4594 total posts
Name:
E
|
Re: cracked nipples
Posted by buttercup
Thank you everyone. I started the saline soaks, and I do feel much better. I ordered the nipple butter as well, but my friend said she used coconut oil and it helped as well, so I put some on and relief is there. I fed some pumped milk to DD earlier, to give my breasts some rest and just fed her now and I feel like a new person.
Thank you for all the tips and advice.. a little bit of encouragement goes a long way.. thank you all..
Great update!
|
| Posted 11/17/11 8:21 PM |
| |
|
jax1
Love my baby girl!!!
Member since 3/09 3405 total posts
Name:
Jackie
|
Re: cracked nipples
Try not to quit yet. It's soooo hard in the beginning. My nipples were so so sore, cracked, bled, etc.
Things that helped:
Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple butter! I put on soooo much of this.
Gel pads. Put them in the fridge..ahhh feels so good on your nips
My left nipple was worse, so I would nurse on my right and pump my left until it healed. Really helped.
Time.
It gets so much better. I love nursing now. There is NO pain.
You could also see a LC or go to a support group (check out LLL website) to get help.
Good luck!!!!
|
| Posted 11/17/11 9:04 PM |
| |
|
jax1
Love my baby girl!!!
Member since 3/09 3405 total posts
Name:
Jackie
|
Re: cracked nipples
Posted by buttercup
DD is 10 days old.. I get so scared come feeding time.
Ahhh those first weeks are rough. It really started getting better for me around 4-5 weeks I think?
Now at 8 weeks, there is really NO pain at all!
|
| Posted 11/17/11 9:06 PM |
| |
|
Momma2Be
Mommy of an angel
Member since 10/09 5911 total posts
Name:
Dina
|
Re: cracked nipples
Definitely keep lathering on the nipple butter/lanisoh! In between feedings, you can get those gel soothies or use cool tea bags to help with any discomfort or pain. I promise it will get better, hang in there
|
| Posted 11/17/11 10:28 PM |
| |
|
