Healing raw nipples… I'm confused.

Jenny33

some sources say to use moist therapies, like hydro pads, lanolin, and nipple creams.

Others say to use breast shells to let the air circulate (dry them out?)


Did you have better luck with one way over another? Seems weird to do both... Keep moist and let air out?

Thoughts?

TracyB4889

I think it depends how much damage you are trying to heal. If they are just a bit raw and painful, I'd say hydrogel because it's cool and soothing. If you are trying to heal badly cracked or scabbed nipples, I'd use breast shells. Just speaking from my personal experience. I had bad damage, cracks and scabs, and I found the breast shells helpful because I could put on nipple cream, Neosporine, etc and it would stay on and not just wipe off on my breast pad. It also really helps to rub a bit of expressed milk after each feeding/pumping and let it dry. Good luck!

etayislove

After feeding try to air dry your nipples, it's also helpful to squeeze a little extra milk out and allow that to sit on your nipple and dry. Once they are dry then apply lanolin cream so you aren't chafing once you put clothes on.

ccarrozza1

I was told to express a little milk out and rub it on nipple and also to put them in direct sunlight for a few minutes if possible

bailleyhumphrey

Lanolin is amazing! I used the breast milk on my nipples and applied the lanolin on over that. Lanolin heals without forming a scab so it may not appear to be working but it is.

MissErika16

Lansinoh worked best for my cracked and bleeding nipples...also see LC to check latch. Healed in a week once latch and positioning was corrected.