Sore nipples help!

Ryann - posted on 12/12/2012

between breast feeding and getting my nipples twisted during sex... i cant take it no more

Louise - posted on 04/02/2009

thanks everyone really helpful, i will try wish me goodluck........

Rachel - posted on 04/01/2009

My lactation nurse says that pain almost always = a bad latch. Baby's mouth needs to be open as wide as possible and needs to have as much of the areole in their mouth as possible.
Use lanolin cream every time you nurse and after showers. It helps.

Cynthia - posted on 04/01/2009

boys can be tricky on their latch! Both of my boys try to slip off their latch then they are sucking more on the nipple vs the areole. And yup it hurts. If he latches wrong, pop his latch right away, then try latching him on again. keep stopping the feeding if he keeps slipping off and make him relatch properly. he may complain but keep at it.



If there is a La Leche League in your area (look in the phone book) they are great. I learned so much from them with my first. They have meetings, but one of the leaders offered to meet up withme to see how my latch was going as I was having trouble. So they could really help you in person...



You could use tylenol for the pain. keep the area dry and pump off the milk so you don't get engorged. you could also use the pumped milk for your son so long as it isn't actively bleeding.



Hope this helps...

Emily - posted on 04/01/2009

Ouch! At that age it is most likely his latch has changed. I would suggest a LLL Leader or LC to talk to about resolving it. Don't rule out the beginnings of thrush either, though.

Crystal - posted on 04/01/2009

My experience was a bit diff. His latch isn't big enough, he has a tiny mouth and wasn;t getting enough nipple/areola in his mouth. My right nipple got COMPLETELY scabbed over and it started in the hosp. the lactation consultant said its normal in the beginning blah blah blah. it got worse before it got better. the whole thing scabbed and didn't heal until after I stopped feeding on that side. I had to since nothing would come out. I couldn't even pump. I used the medela brand lanolin cream its a lil more expensive than the lansinoh brand but I was allergic to lansinoh which I used for the first and 2nd kiddos. I was also recommended by the consultant to use gel pads. they are these round pads that cover your nipple and areola that you use after feeding to help heal and sooth. I haven't used them yet because I also got gerber's hot/cold therapy pads which i LOVE. I make them hot for relief. but they helped alot esp. since my nipple was swollen from all the tries to get some milk out and was so sensitive I cried when it touched something. the pads helped hold my nursing bras and tops away from my nipple. good luck to you.

Latosha - posted on 04/01/2009

I was in tears each time my daughter latched on. It peaked at about 2 weeks and thankfully subsided after that! I broke down close to week two and called a La Leche consultant. She gave me the best advice for sore/cracked nipples. After you nurse, soak your nipples in a saline salution (Warm water - 4-6 oz and a teaspoon of salt) I made the solution in a spare bottle and kept it close by. You soak your nipples for about 1 min and let them air dry. (You don't have to wash it off before you nurse next time. ) Salt helps heal the cracks rather quickly and it truly was helpful with getting me through this rough time. Keep on breastfeeding and know it gets better!!

My daughter is 7 weeks now, and I truly enjoy evey moment of breastfeeding. It is the best bonding experience.

Jodie - posted on 04/01/2009

everyone told me to try putting a cold piece of cabbage in my bra its soothing and helps heal it up pretty good i was also told a wet tea bag and get some lansinoh cream i used it religously it works great

Sarah - posted on 04/01/2009

I had that problem too. You need to go to the store and buy Lasinoh(or something like that theres different kinds) nipple cream for breast feeding moms. Its safe for your baby and you put it on after every feeding. That helped me alot. Go to the store and it should be right by the nursing pads

Jedida - posted on 04/01/2009

I had the same problem when my son was 2 months old but i was told the best medicine its to continue feeding him but feed him both breasts dont use one more than the other and i did that after sometime the breast cured.And drink alot of liquids like soups.

Raylene - posted on 03/31/2009

ive got an 8week old and had the same problems, ive bought frozen breastpads that i've used to help reduce engorging and soreness, I've also been using medicated nursing pads that help you pickt hem up from big w, woollies and the chemist that help to sooth and rehidrate and reduce the cracking. (riteaid brand) Also used Lanasole ? on spelling i just threw empty tube out it's in a purple tubefrom chemist.  I've been told thatrubbing breastmilk on them help too. Trying swapping posistions of baby and feeding through if possible if not justkeep expressingfrom thatside to give it a rest. Book in to have lactating consolant come out to help you or so you can go to them. I wish you all the luck in the world keep trying.

Danielle - posted on 03/31/2009

Oh, I just found some literature I go from the hospital that has some tips for this.

-Hand express or pump a few min. before nursing. This causes your let-down to begin and the nipple to lengthen for the baby so he will nurse more calmly.

-Nurse on the least sore side first.

-Take Tylenol or Advil 30 min. before nursing for pain relief.

-Apply lanolin to your nipple before and after nursing

-Use Hydrogel pads and soothies to help soothe and heal damaged nipples. You mother's resource center may have this as well as stores like Target.

-Brest shell and nipple shilds can be used until you nipple heals as I suggested in my last post.

-If it becomes too unbearable, then a 24 hour rest from nursing may be needed. You will need to pump for 10-15 minutes per breast every 3 hours. If this happens, please contact the MRC for assistance from a lactation specialist.

Hope that helps!

Danielle - posted on 03/31/2009

I'm not a lactation consultant and if whatever you try on your own isn't working, you should try meeting with a lactation consultant in your area as soon as possible. They have lots of ideas and can help a great deal. They helped me a lot when I was nursing my first born. I am currently nursing my 11 week old son and was having the same issue on one side. Try changing the position that you feed him in, but if you're already cracked and bleeding you probably need to give that breast a break. I think you can nurse just one side and pump the other until it heals. If you don't have enough milk in the one breast you can also purchase a breast shield at your local store (I know Target has them for sure). It's like a plast nipple that goes over your nipple for the baby to nurse from. It's annoying, and probably won't be your sons favorite way to nurse, but it will give your soar nipple a rest. Just make sure you put some Purelan or something on before you use it.