I need breastfeeding help

triumphantreturnofplanningbug · January 2011

I swear breastfeeding is just one issue after another.

We finally cleared up bad latch problems, and found out I have Renaud's Syndrome.

That got easier to deal with by using moist heat and taking Advil several times a day.

Then we either started dealing with overactive letdown or figured out that I'd had it all along.

Block feeding to help with overactive letdown led to blocked ducts and a milk blister from hell.

Milk blister finally went away...and left me with a cracked nipple.

So I need to figure out a way to not use cold therapy since the Renaud's makes that like a charlie horse in my boob, to not use heat because that kicks up the letdown, and to somehow let the cracked nipple heal while avoiding more angry ducts. How the heck do I do that? Any suggestions would be greatly, greatly appreciated!

NDwife07 · January 2011

Oh dear.

Krista, I wish I knew the answer. My only suggestion is to use Lansinoh on the cracked nipple. And I just read on Kellymom that you can use saline to rinse or soak the nipple after nursing, and that it shouldn't be painful to do so.

Val&B0604 · January 2011

This may burn the cracked nipple... But I remember in the midst of dealing with a milk blister I dissolved some epsom salt in a mouthwash sized cup and created a suction over the nipple and held it on a for few minutes several times a day.

Good luck healing!

kelclay724 · January 2011

My mom had Reynaud's Syndrome and Lupus... it was definitely torture to her. I'm sorry you have to go through that.

I wish I had advice but I don't . I would try to find a good breastfeeding support group near you. The LCs at the one I went to were always very helpful and knowledgeable.

lemen99 · January 2011

I really can't imagine what you're going through, but (((HUGS))))

triumphantreturnofplanningbug · January 2011

Thanks for the tea and sympathy, women, I really do appreciate it.

Lauren, did you ever try a saline soak? I read that, but it just sounds so darn scary.

Val&B0604 · January 2011

triumphantreturnofplanningbug:
Thanks for the tea and sympathy, women, I really do appreciate it.
Lauren, did you ever try a saline soak? I read that, but it just sounds so darn scary.

Obviously not Lauren but here's my experience with the soak: my nipple wasn't cracked when I did it, and it seemed to get better quickly after using it.

jacnabe · January 2011

Oh, Krista! I'm so sorry to hear you're having some troubles

All of that sounds miserable!

When I had cracked nipples, I squeezed some breastmilk out once Grady was done nursing and let them air dry with the milk on them. After they dried and I was ready to put the mams away, I rubbed lanolin on them. It helped them to heal and decreased discomfort.

I hope things smooth out for you soon!

KarlaRN · January 2011

I did the saline soak when I had a cracked nipple, and it really seemed to help. I also talked to my LC and she told me to give the cracked side a "vacation." I tried not to feed from that side for 24 hours, but it ended up just being 12, but even that long was helpful.

Lots of Lansinoh, saline, and allow your breast to air dry any time where the tricks for me.

Sorry you're having such a rough time! Good luck!

heatherchelle · January 2011

You might already know this, but expressing a little milk and letting it dry on the cracked nipple can be helpful as well.

I only had cracking/bleeding once and it wasn't bad so all I needed was Lansinoh and the expressed milk. It sounds like your situation is probably worse than mine though.

jacnabe · January 2011

Oooh, YES! Saline soak! Very helpful. It didn't burn at all, so no worries about that

marleysmom · January 2011

Both of my nipples were way beyond "cracked" due to Jocelyn's ridiculously powerful suck - they were like falling off the boob bleeding and scabbed - so maybe this isn't necessary for you, but the only way I managed to keep breastfeeding through that hell was to resort to exclusively pumping for a couple of days, and then rely on a nipple shield. A sympathetic LC saved my life by hooking me up with a good nipple shield. I'm not going to lie - I hated depending on it because they are such a hassle and messy but I'm convinced it kept us breastfeeding. I was eventually able to get rid of the shield, and Jocelyn never skipped a beat through any of it. Girl loves to eat. Good luck!

triumphantreturnofplanningbug · January 2011

Thanks again! Air drying milk is tricky because getting cold makes the renaud's worse, but I'm going to put on a space heater in the bathroom and try it. I'm adding salt to my list of things to buy tomorrow morning, because I feel much more confident that it won't killer death burn.

mcwifey · January 2011

I'm late to this post but I just wanted to add... I had dry/cracked/scabby nipples for the first 3 weeks and it was just awful. You definitely want to get the scabbing off b/c the dr. told me that each time they nurse, they basically have to break up the scab and that is just torture. My dr. told me to use neosporin mixed with hydrocortizone creme. Just put a dab of each onto your finger and rub it onto the nipple. Try to let it dry for a minute. I would do that after everytime I nursed and my scabbing cleared up within a few days. You don't have to worry about wiping it off before you nurse again either. I sure hope it gets better for you!

chrislynd · January 2011

I have no advice, just want to offer some ((hugs)) and let you know I've got my fingers crossed that things improve!

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