Bleeding Nipples - Any Thoughts or Advice PLEASE!

Linzy - posted on 06/10/2009

i would pump for 10 mins and let the yeast come out. then feed your daughter.

go to Dr. Jack Newman's website. He is the breastfeeding guru... i used his cream

and it has been amazing - it takes away the burning sensation and hardens your nipples

naturally healing any cracks or bleeding. For more info another self-help guide is the book: Better Breastfeeding by: Daina Kalnins, MSc, RD. whatever you do; DO NOT STOP breast feeding... it only lets the yeast build up more and can lead to something worse such as MASTITIS...

Renee - posted on 06/10/2009

Random home remody in place of the Lanolin cream- chapstick. It worked just as well and cost alot less!

Vanaye - posted on 06/10/2009

Oh my!!! I had Mastitis and bleeding nipples with my daughter, but struggled through it and I'm glad I did. With my son its been great, but I did get blisters and bleeding for the first week. Then I read a nursing book to figure out how to heal them quickly. Ensure a proper latch on during feeding and when not feeding let your breast DRY!!! AIR DRY THOSE BOOBIES!!!! LOL Yep, I would feed Jr. then walk around the house with my BOOBIES exposed. They healed up so fast that I hardly could believe it. AIR!!! AIR!!! AIR!!! Is the key to healing them. Trust me...your husband won't mind. LOL Oh and use Lanolin cream when you can't air dry...it promotes healing as well, you can even use it when your air drying. Just air those boobies out and get healed!!!!

Erica - posted on 06/10/2009

I have been having the same problem, i have been fighting thrush for almost 3months now , and contantly getting blocked ducts, i have also been treated for mastitis, I have also have the blood which i have brought up with lacation consultants and they have just said it was the infection, i have been treated with the gentian violet which is recommended b/c its all natural and has no side affects that works on my son but not me, I started my roun of diflucan today so hopefully it wors god luc to you

Chelsea - posted on 06/10/2009

You should ask them why they don't recommend it. It used to be what they told moms to use. The only reason that it's not prescribed by doctors anymore is because A pharmaceutical companies don't make any money off of it and B because it is purple and bleeds onto fabrics. I am studying to become a La Leche League leader right now and that is the stance of La Leche League (the breast feeding experts). I am sorry that you are receiving false advice.

Angel - posted on 06/10/2009

Thanks for the advice. My lactation consultant thinks that I had a small capillary rupture or the little outlet on my nipple was plugged and suddenly came open. It hasn't happened at all today. I called the pediatrician about the gentian violet and they don't recommend it for babies or nursing moms. I have an appointment with a breast surgeon on Monday to see if she can find any other issues. My OB is stumped. So far today everything seems to be ok... Thanks again for the advice.

Chelsea - posted on 06/10/2009

Angel from what it sounds like I believe that you should switch treatment. I would highly recommend using Gingian Violet. It's an over the counter liquid that you put on your nipples and in your infants mouth. This will get rid of the yeast infection in under 4 days. Apply twice a day for up to four days.

I belive that almost all of your problems are stemming from the fact that you have had this yeast infection and therefore your infant has it. The signs of thrush in an infant are:

Fussy especially while eating (arching back is common)
White spots in mouth (not always)
Pain while feeding and directly after (not always)

I would venture to say that because of the yeast infection and your daughters age that she is taking a more shallow latch which is causing the bleeding. The good news is that by going to see a lactation consultant she will be able to help you to encourage a proper latch. It is VERY common for an infant of your daughters age to take a shallows latch and cause some nipple damage especially at night. So go see a lactation consultant for the latch so you can heal the nipples and treat with Gingian Violet for the thrush. It is much for effective than a prescription and has no side effects because it is all natural. The only down side is that it's purple (it comes out with oxy-clean!).

Now for the mastitis. The signs of mastits are:

Fever
Vomiting
A red rash on breasts and chest (sometimes)
Breast Pain (sometimes)

This does not to be treated with an antibiotic but you can speed up the healing process by nursing your infant frequently or pumping frequently. Use warm compresses, I read the post above that said cold compresses but if you are having a clogged duct issue the warm compress will help to clear it. Rest as much as possible!!! If you have anymore questions please don't hesitate to ask I am currently in the process of becoming a La Leche League leader so I have access to a lot of information that is correct (most physicians don't know a lot about breast-feeding and have a lot of false information).

Sheena - posted on 06/10/2009

thrush & a yeast infection are the same, I'm not sure why there are different names though..

Renee - posted on 06/10/2009

Is this differant from Trush? It caused my nipples to bleed, but it also gave my daughter little white patches inside of her mouth with the infection. We both had to be treated at the same time- otherwise, we would just pass it back and forth.

Angel - posted on 06/09/2009

Thanks for the advice. I should also mention that my daughter is almost 7 months old and we had had smooth sailing with nursing until 6 weeks ago. I have also been on the antibiotic / antifungal / steroid cream and while it helped my nipple, I was still having shooting pains up my breast. Then my doctor thought I had yeast in my ducts so she put me on Diflucan for 2 weeks. I am planning on calling my lactation consultant in the morning, I was just worried that something bigger is wrong. Maybe my duct finally opened?



Again, Thank you so much for your thoughts and advice. It always helps to hear other Mom's experiences.

Alaine - posted on 06/09/2009

I have not had my nipples bleed but I do remember that the teacher from my breastfeeding class said that it was not uncommon for your nipples to bleed especially if you are having breast issues.

I also agree with Sheena, see a lactation consultant. They are amazing and you will be amazed how quickly things will turn around after just one meeting. I had troubles in the first week after my baby was born and was very close to quitting but after one visit we had things turned around and now every thing is going well.

Best wishes.

Sheena - posted on 06/09/2009

I'm so sorry! I know how that feels. I had mastitis within the first 6 weeks myself, but I didn't bleed quite that much. I have to ask you if you have seen a lactation consultant, I went to one and she helped me tremendously. First of all, go immediately to the consultant. Go now if you can, if they're closed go tomorrow. DO NOT WAIT!. Then try these things:



1. Take off the bra. It leads to restricted ducts & only makes the problem worse.



2. Get 2 cabbages. Cabbage has something in it that draws infections out of the breast. Take a clean, cool cabbage leaf and put it on your breast, over your nipple. It's been recommended to use it every time you breastfeed/pump for 15 minutes before, and after. I used them all day,simply replacing the leaves every 30 min to an hour (this helped so much!)



3. Use COLD compresses, not hot. Hot compresses, while they feel good at the time, lead to swelling, and in the long run more pain and problems.



4. This one is extremely important! You MUST breastfeed or pump every 2 hours! Now, I don't know if that is the case for a breast that is bleeding to the extent of yours, but in order to get rid of mastitis, you cannot(!!) let more than 2 hours go by with out completely emptying the breast.



5. Try breastfeeding on your hands & knees, with your baby under you. In this position, your daughter's suction will increase. Combine this with the pull of gravity, and your breast should empty quicker.



6. Ask your consultant about Canadian nipple cream. It's a combination of an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and steroidal creams that is magic! I kid you not, this stuff is amazing. I was worried about the steroids, but I was assured by the consultant and the pharmacists (yes, I got multiple opinions) that it was only enough to speed healing, not hurt my baby. At first I didn't notice any results, but after a few days of my pills and CNC, my breasts had improved drastically.



7. I know you've heard this before, but it is even more crucial now. Sleep! and drink plenty of water! Have someone watch the baby while you sleep, and only bother you when it's time for your meds, drink water, or when it's time to feed the baby.

I hope this helps, I'll be praying for you & your daughter.