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October 2013 Moms
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I hate my nipples

PixiesDustPixiesDust member
edited January 2014 in October 2013 Moms
I've EPed for nearly 3 months due primarily to absolutely flat-as-pancake nipples (as well as a disdain for the nipple shield and a lazy eater).  The first 6 weeks or so went smoothly.  But the last 6-8 have been hell.  I've keep waiting for the day when they will get the hang of pumping and stop making me cringe at the prospect of anything coming remotely near them.  I have large (what seems like permanent) cracks on the outside of each nipple that wont heal because they get ripped open everytime i pump.  I've changed flange sizes, lubed both my nipples and my flanges, used gel pads, pumped on a lower suction, etc.  Nothing seems to work, and my nips just keep getting more and more sensitive and sore.  The only thing keeping me going at this point is the fact that I've been really successful with pumping and have an incredible supply --  I feel like it would be such a waste to stop simply because I can't hack the soreness and sensitivity. 

I need some motivation and/or advice, suggestions, etc.  I know i need and WANT to keep going for a least a little longer but I'm tired of being afraid to put on a bra, dry off with a towel, hold my baby without being fearful.  Will it get better or will i just need to suck it up and keep going?

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Re: I hate my nipples

  • PhalaenopsisPhalaenopsis member
    Thrush? Sorry your nips hurt.

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  • elllafelllaf member
    Ugh that sounds terrible!
    My LO is 14 weeks now and my nips only stopped hurting like 2 weeks ago.
    Then I just had a 3 days where one side was painful again. (That side had a permanent crack too)
    It's the worst.
    I can't imagine having no relief.
    Good for you for sticking to it though!
    :::supportive hugs:::
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  • PixiesDustPixiesDust member

    Phalaenopsis said:
    Thrush? Sorry your nips hurt.
    I thought that too but neither myself or DD have any other signs of thrush :|

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  • Arod1087Arod1087 member
    I'm an ep'er and some days are terrible. I lube my nips with lanolin pre-pump and that helps alot! I got a huge size flange too and that was a life saver.

    I hate my pump but had to do it for the exact same reasons as you. I go back and forth everyday but I just won't let myself quit. It is what's best for my baby/I am still losing about 1 lb a week so it's a win win for the both of us.

    Hang in there! When your baby doesn't get a cold every month etc you will be happy you stuck with it!
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  • AmandagStarkAmandagStark member
    You are an amazing momma for pumping so long despite your pain! I don't have any advice, but I hope you can take pride in your stamina :) Hang in there!
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  • vargasgurlvargasgurl member
    Maybe you should try hand expressing once in a while to give your nips some rest from the pump ... I used to do that when they were extremely sore and raw ! I found it helped me.
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  • MissLauraPantsMissLauraPants member
    I'm in the same boat....I mean I hope they do go back to normal after because it is awful! I have no answers. I feel like the creams I use don't help and I was using the medicine for thrush but that did not do anything to help.
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  • muffyvonmuffmuffyvonmuff member
    My friend got APNO and said it helped her.  I think you're super tough for sticking it out.
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  • Lee81Lee81 member
    I second the APNO suggestion. When dd was about three weeks old, my nipples started to get really cracked.. I got a prescription for APNO and they were good as new in a remarkably short time. I just used the APNO instead of lanolin after dd nursed. 
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  • MeeelindaMeeelinda member
    I'm with ya girl!! I've been pumping for 13 weeks now. My nipples were feeling better until this week. they're more sensitive for whatever reasons. I can't wait till I could dry off my body with out thinking of hurting my nipples or anything touching it while I go about my day. @pixiesdust
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  • PixiesDustPixiesDust member
    Thanks everyone. Good to know I'm not completely alone. The pumping itself doesn't bother me that much, it's the rest of the time that sucks.

    Anyway, went all the way back down to the lowest size last night to see if maybe I just needed to go smaller rather than larger. We'll see how it goes. Fx

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  • TXswissmissTXswissmiss member
    edited January 2014
    @pixiesdust have you tried Silverettes? The silver is a natural agent that heals cracked nipples and prevents future cracks. Pricey but worth it IMHO

    ETA: this link explains them and I know you can purchase on amazon https://www.breastangels.co.uk
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  • jennypenny*jennypenny* member
    Have you tried salt water soaks? I found soaking my nipples in salt water for one minute, then air drying, and once dry apply nipple cream (lanolin or nipple balm) and then wear breast shells.

    Breast shells are like hard plastic shields that protect your nipple from rubbing on your clothing and they allows air to get to them to help the healing.
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  • jennypenny*jennypenny* member
    Breast shells

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000OTDK54?cache=eaa2e74fc9631cb7ef73a50316e77d8d&pi=SY200_QL40#ref=mp_s_a_1_2
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  • ndmcgirrndmcgirr member
    You can do it!!
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