XP: Damaged nipple (at 5 months) - OW! Help!

littlemaybaby

XP from BF Board:

I had cracked nipples when DS was a newborn, but nothing hurt like this . . .

The other day he was goofing off while he was nursing - which is of course typical 5 1/2 month old behavior.  Before I even knew what happened, he grabbed my nipple and pinched it so hard that I screamed.  I screamed so loud that I scared him to death and he started wailing.  I felt like such a terrible mommy that I immediately started trying to sooth him and forgot all about my nipple . . . until the next time he nursed and it felt like it was being sliced with razor blades.

I looked at it, and sure enough, he lacerated my nipple with his fingernail.  OMFG.  This was two days ago and it's still unbearably painful when he nurses.  And it's still scabbed up.  I'm keeping Lansinoh on it, but I'm starting to get worried.  Could it be infected?  Should I give it a break to let it heal?  (I really don't want to do that - I'm mortified of my supply dropping - especially since AF is due any day now . . . )  

I've just been nursing and pumping (while at work) through the pain . . . Any suggestions???

 

catycombs

Ouch! I would use a nipple shield for a few days until it healed. I used them when E was 2 mos and making me bleed. They saved me!

littlemaybaby

catycombs:

Ouch! I would use a nipple shield for a few days until it healed. I used them when E was 2 mos and making me bleed. They saved me!

Oh, good call.  I need to run out and get one.  It's killing me!!!

ETA:  And look at that new picture!!!  Could she get any cuter???

glasgow_girl

Mine just recently cracked after a bout of thrush.  I had to stop using the lanolin and let them dry out.  Pumping was horrific, and nursing was only marginally better.  I took painkillers about 30 mins before pumping at work, and that took a little of the edge off, but I ended up just nursing through it.

They are starting to get better - the pain is WAY less while pumping, and I've been using ice packs after I pump to soothe them.

Sorry it's not much more help, I know I was also worried about my supply dropping, and I did favour the boob that didn't hurt as much, or at least, offered the less painful one first, so that she didn't latch on so hard to the one that hurt more.

It'll get better - it may not feel like it, but it will!

catycombs

littlemaybaby:

catycombs:

Ouch! I would use a nipple shield for a few days until it healed. I used them when E was 2 mos and making me bleed. They saved me!

Oh, good call.  I need to run out and get one.  It's killing me!!!

ETA:  And look at that new picture!!!  Could she get any cuter???

Thank you sweetie!

littlemaybaby

glasgow_girl:

Mine just recently cracked after a bout of thrush.  I had to stop using the lanolin and let them dry out.  Pumping was horrific, and nursing was only marginally better.  I took painkillers about 30 mins before pumping at work, and that took a little of the edge off, but I ended up just nursing through it.

They are starting to get better - the pain is WAY less while pumping, and I've been using ice packs after I pump to soothe them.

Sorry it's not much more help, I know I was also worried about my supply dropping, and I did favour the boob that didn't hurt as much, or at least, offered the less painful one first, so that she didn't latch on so hard to the one that hurt more.

It'll get better - it may not feel like it, but it will!

Oh, ice sounds WONDERFUL right now. I may try laying off the Lansinoh too - DH actually suggested that maybe I should let it dry.

Glad to hear yours are getting better!  

biochemgirl

Do you think that could be a reason for your decrease in milk? 

I just took a PG test-negative, thank goodness. 

Still hoping for AF for myself.  Haven't gotten my period back yet so maybe this is it and the cause of the drop.  I really don't want to give up nursing.