Do any breastfeeding mums have this problem...

Cassi - posted on 08/07/2009

my son had an amazing latch at birth and i had terribly cracked, blistered and sore nipples for a couple weeks! i used the lansinoh cream and it seemed to help. Mine always seemed to be a little hard and did get sore again as his teeth started coming in until my nipples got used to that. I would tend to agree that this late in the game you shouldn't be so uncomfortable as to not be able to wear a bra, although sometimes for me it just felt nice to not wear one! lol... you might try LLL, or a lactation consultant at your doctors office, although not all doctors offices have one and you may have to contact one through the hospital. i would deffinetly say have someone take a look at your baby's latch and your nipples to see exactly where the problem is at. wish i could be more help, but try to keep cream and/or gel pads on it to help ease your pain until you figure out where the problem is. good luck

Kesha - posted on 08/07/2009

I would call the lactation nurse at your doctors office. she will be more knowledgeable in this area..... wish i could help!

Chelsea - posted on 08/06/2009

does baby have teeth? cos my daughter got her teeth and made my nipples crack and itchy like yours, i just used some lansinoh cream :)

Dana - posted on 08/04/2009

Good for you for sticking it out. It took almost a month for my first baby and I to work out the whole breastfeeding thing. I know how discouraging those weeks were for us (I often thought of giving up, but I'm glad I didn't), so I can say first hand how impressed I am with your efforts. You have a lucky little baby.

As far as the nipple thing goes, don't be embarrassed -- it isn't gross, it's no big deal. I'm not totally sure what the problem is, but the pain and itchiness don't sound fun. My nipples were always different after I started breastfeeding (more pronounced), so if that was your only issue I'd let it go. But I don't think the sore, raw tenderness should be so severe this late in the game. After 6 months of breastfeeding, your nipples should have gotten used to it. It isn't like it's your first week of breastfeeding, or something.

Still, your latch must be good because the baby's weight is great. Does your pediatrician know about breastfeeding (some do and some don't -- mine doesn't, but our NP does). If so, you could have him/her take a look at your nipple and observe the baby's latch. You could also try the LLL. i didn't have great luck with them, but some people do. I guess I'm saying that you probably should have someone look at it.

Here is the little I can offer: Do you leak during the day? The extra moisture could be the culprit. If you never really dry, your skin is less resistant to damage (think of wet paper -vs- dry paper). Has anything changed in your routine? I did get some chafing once my babies got teeth. It took a little adjustment to get them to keep their teeth from scraping, but mostly just taking the baby off and latching again until it was comfortable and little teeth were tucked safely away. Also, pumping was always pretty tough on my breasts compared to nursing the baby directly.

I tried the gel pads, Lansinoh Lanolin, heating pads, breast pads, etc... They all worked to some degree. In the end, being shirtless (or at least braless) until they air dried and using a little my own breastmilk to keep them from getting chapped (Lanolin if they actually were) worked best.

Sorry this was so long. Good luck.

Samantha - posted on 08/04/2009

My right side always sticks out, always looks like I am cold over there! Embaressing I know, but I can't do anything about it. They are mostly always sensitive though, sometimes can't stand to have them touched by anything (bra helps me though, w/o it on they rub stuff and hurt way worse). I have been exclusively pumping (son never would latch) for 7.5 months now and they have always hurt to some extent. Some days are better than others. Those Soothie gel pads at Walgreens may help you - they worked well for me. They are great and can be put in the freezer as well, only downside is that they stick to your nipples and hurt some when you pull them off....

Mary - posted on 07/01/2009

hhmmm...when i had my daughter i started to breast feed and i got really cracked, bleeding nipples..hurt major...try using gel pads they are made for breast feeding mothers...they helped me...but as far the erect nipple goes, i dont know. thats strange

Edith - posted on 07/01/2009

when i'm started bresfeeding a had a verry sensitives nipples and a put cream : PureLan 100 from medela and it's work to be less sensative. But for the erected nipple i'm sorry mine are alway's like that since i've begin to breastfeed and it's not sensitive for me. Good luck. ***i'm sorry if my english is not perfect cause i speak french***