Cracked Nipples

Ineedmorecoffee

sorry if this has been discussed already. For those breastfeeding, did you/are you dealing with cracked nipples? This is my second time doing this so I thought I would be better at it, but I guess I'm latching her on wrong. So I'm going to work on that. In the mean time what are you doing to prevent infection and heal them?

I've read online lanolin, letting them air dry, but was wanting to hear from moms who are also going through it.

abbyful

Yep, lanolin & exposure to air are both good. Sunlight helps too. If they are really bad, you can get prescription cream.

(With DS, one of my nipples split down the middle due to improper latch. It was horrible.)

Carebella

I've had a little cracking and been seeing really good results with Boob Ease in conjunction with air drying and breast milk.

tamarnina

I think lanolin cream is the way to go. I also really like the Lansinoh "soothies" gel pads. I keep them in the fridge and they really do feel good. You can get them at Target.

Acedit

I've heard soaking in apple cider vinegar or epson salt mix works. My nipples hurt... And cracked the first week but since then they've healed with a combo of air drying, warm water cleanse after each feeding and good ole lanolin. It gets better once our nips see toughened up a bit

dsp2013

I second the Soothies! I had latch issues the first week that really tore up my nipples. Lanolin helped, but no where close to the Soothies.

runningmama14

Lanolin and the soothies got me through the first week. I still had some cracks that wouldn't heal, so the lc recommended I ask for an rx for "triple nipple" cream. It's magical.

pixie523

We had a bad latch for the first few days and my nips paid the price. I've been rinsing with saline after every session and then air drying. It's helping!

Bethyboo26

I bought Thera shells which jet the nipple dry inbetween feelings. Helped so much!

tigerpawie

I concur with @AmyG*‌

Trying different positions seems to help with soreness.

Earth mama nipple cream definitely blows lanolin out of the water. I used lanolin w first two kids and my nips we're still so sore and irritated, it seemed to be more irritated and rashy after adding the lanolin. This time around, my nipples bounces back quicker and less sore with the earth mama nipple cream. No irritation going on here.

Carebella

lissydee said:

If you have a wool allergy or sensitivity, remember NOT to use lanolin.

I had no idea! Super glad I hadn't bought any and am now going to put the sample from the hospital in the donate pile. Wool and I do not get along well.

tigerpawie

Carebella said:

lissydee said:

If you have a wool allergy or sensitivity, remember NOT to use lanolin.

I had no idea! Super glad I hadn't bought any and am now going to put the sample from the hospital in the donate pile. Wool and I do not get along well.

This makes so much sense... Same here. Wool... Ick.

Ineedmorecoffee

Wow thank you all so much! Very helpful information. I'll be trying all of this and hope we get better. She's a great nurser and my supply is great, just gotta figure out the latch thing!