Bfing with cut nipple?

ConnieRob

Hey ladies,

I'm looking for some guidance. DS2 is 15 months and still EBF. He bit my nipple earlier today and it bled a bit. There is a small cut on it. I haven't had him latch on that side until just before bed. It didn't hurt too bad so I figured we were fine. As he finished I noticed that his mouth was full of blood! I don't want to stop him from nursing on that side but I can't just keep bleeding! Should I pump that side tomorrow? And let him nurse from the other side? Do you think it will heal enough by morning? I put neosporin on it because that's what I have on hand. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

ConnieRob

Thank you!!!!

vvvvvfee

it should start to scab over soon. i'd start with the other breast when feeding to give that side a bit of a chance to heal. you could gently hand express that side a little until it seems like it has scabbed. i think the pump is more likely to re-open the wound than just nursing. try to keep the breast out in the air as much as possible to help speed healing. you can also use coconut oil on it- it is moisturizing, edible, and is supposedly antimicrobial and antifungal.

RDK24

I had a milk blister that turned into a little hole/cut. My LO is 13 months. Super painful so I feel for ya! I'm using neosporin as well -- that's what my OB suggested in the newborn/cracked nipple phase. It's definitely improving with the neosporin. I tried a nipple cream from my LC first and that didn't work as well. 

If I were you I'd sleep with lots of neosporin on it -- maybe a bra pad too if you still have one to kinda hold the goo in place. And then in the AM I'd give nursing a shot again and see how it goes. My guess is that it won't bleed as much if at all.

Also, when I talked to my LC about it, she said that the baby's saliva is very acidic while they're teething so that can exacerbate the issue. She suggested rinsing with warm water after your LO nurses and then applying ointment with clean hands.

Beth.1212

I'd ask an LC for APNO rather than Neosporin - it'll help with the pain and healing, and also is safe to ingest. If my breast is hurting, the last thing I want to do is have to wipe residue off before BFing. That being said, I've only dealt with cracked nipples that had relatively minor bleeding, not with bites that bled a lot. 

GL!

RDK24

I've tried APNO and Neosporin and I preferred the latter for pain relief and healing. Just my $0.02.