sore nipple help

Jesse - posted on 12/19/2008

I had a similar problem. I used nipple shells until the pain cleared up - basically they prevent bra, clothes, etc from rubbing against your nipple. Pain didn't go away for a couple of weeks, so my doctor prescribed triple nipple cream for yeast infection on my nipple. It was a miracle! But I wonder if the nipple shells actually caused the infection?

Claire - posted on 12/17/2008

thanks for all your advise have been using nipple cream and will worl on making sure he is latching properly he was weighed on friday 9lb 13oz and today (wednesday) at 10lb 6oz so maybe he is having a growth spurt. thanks again claire

Tamika - posted on 12/16/2008

Check the latch. I fed with sore nipples for months, then finally another erspropuggested pointing my nipple toward the roof of his mouth. This helped me get a proper latch and within a couple of days I could feel the difference. After each feeding, I'd take a little milk and coat my nipples then let them dry. Afterwords, I'd lather on the Lanisoh.

Katie - posted on 12/16/2008

Do you use lanisoh? I would put it on after every feeding and it helped a whole lot!!! Also, make sure he is latching on correctly and if not reattach him.

Katie - posted on 12/16/2008

Do you use lanisoh? I would put it on after every feeding and it helped a whole lot!!! Also, make sure he is latching on correctly and if not reattach him.

Debbie - posted on 12/16/2008

This website has some great videos on latching and also some great info on sore nipples. I had a sore nipple and it turned out to be thrush ... very painful and I suffered needlessly for weeks.

http://www.drjacknewman.com

Cassandra - posted on 12/16/2008

I know this might sound crazy but I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the Grocery store. That is what my Grandma suggested and it works. I used it from three to five times a day at first. good luck. Cassandra Beeman

Amanda - posted on 12/16/2008

At the hospital, a nurse gave me round, silicone shield things to wear in my bra between feedings - they soothed my nipples SO well. I don't know if they're the same as the nipple protectors mentioned by other moms? But I didn't use them during feedings, just in between to help heal. They're cirlces, a bit larger than nipples, with little air holes in the center. They're wonderful.

Tiffany - posted on 12/16/2008

I had this too, it's nearly always the latch at this stage, especially if it's only in one nipple. Be careful of nipple protectors, they can cause problems and will need to be sized by a doctor or lactation consultant with a prescription. Try everything else first. He's probably just growing lots. If it gets really bad (I had a bleeding nipple at 3 weeks), you may need to try just feeding from the other side and pumping the sore side yourself for 12 hours or so to give the nipple a rest so it can heal. La Leche League is wonderful too.

Emily - posted on 12/16/2008

I second (or third) the suggestion to check your latch. If you have a fast letdown and tons of milk (I always did) he may not be interested in latching deep enough because he doesn't have to work hard to get what he wants. If he's got a pacifier, he could be having nipple confusion and trying to latch the way he sucks on the paci.

Also, check for white spots in his mouth... thrush (a yeast infection) could also be causing nipple pain.

Keep up the good work!! Make sure he has a good latch with every feeding, if your nipples are cracked or sore use Lansinoh nipple cream after a feeding to help soothe them, and try not to use any artificial nipples until he's around 6 weeks old (including pacifiers). Once you get that far, he shouldn't have any nipple confusion issues, and you should feel much more confident.

Good luck! Also, contact your local La Leche League. It's always nice to have some good support in real life, and I've met some of my closest friends at LLL. :)

Andrea - posted on 12/16/2008

Check your latch! I had the same issues. We struggled for months before we got the latch perfected. My son looked like he was latching well, but he was latching to shallow. Like the other mothers said, your baby is growing and needs to eat frequently. Usually only last a few days. Good luck!

Diane - posted on 12/16/2008

A sore nipple is almost always an indication of a latch problem. Make doubly sure he has his mouth open wide before putting him on the breast, and keep him snuggled in close so he can't slip down onto the nipple. If it's painful during the feed, take him off and start again.

As for his lengthy nursing sessions, 3 weeks is a common growth spurt time. (As is 6 weeks, 3 mo, and 6 mo.) He is probably eating a lot more because he is growing rapidly. You should notice a drop off in duration within a short time - just a few days.

Courtney - posted on 12/16/2008

i had a similar problem when breastfeeding my daugter, it was all going well but then she would take forever to feed, but in the hospital the midiwfe offered me a silicon nipple protector as she couldnt latch on properly and so wasnt suckling properly. the protector protrudes out a little more then your nipple and can be purchased at a department store or at the chemist, i used it for a few weeks and slowly and gradually took it away every few times a feed to try and see how she went without it after that it was fine and i fed her 7 months until i found out i was pregnant with my second, i was very greatful for the midwife to offer me the protector, it also helps prevent sore and cracked nipples. ( if your nipples start to bleed, i would suggest not to feed him from that side and see a midwife or doctor because it may be mastitis) hope this helps.