Nipples :/

Snikle512 · May 2014

Please tell me this gets better!!! First time nursing and my poor nips are dying. They are dry and cracked and bleeding at times. How can I help heal them with her nursing from both sides every 2-3 hours and will they ever be the same?!

dwnslde · May 2014

Hugs!! Make sure to put ointment or coconut oil on them to prevent drying out. It gets better!

usernewname · May 2014

What pp said! I was in a lot of pain that I can only equate to razor blades slicing my nips. Now just over a week and if am virtually pain free.

It gets better! If you know you'll hVe some time in between feeding a glop some lanolin on and use some heating pads. Saved my boobs!

Snikle512 · May 2014

Thanks ladies!!! Do I wipe the oils off before she eats?

blessednewmom1 · May 2014

I find Lanolin works best for cracking. It does not need wiped off and is safe for baby.

chillypenguin · May 2014

The LCs gave me Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter in the hospital and I loved it. I used it after every single feeding (does not need wiped off) and then I used the plastic breast shells to keep the fabric off my nipples. It helped immensely and within just 2 days they felt a million times better. Hope you feel better soon!

https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/108/therashells

Snikle512 · May 2014

Oh that shield sounds amazing because everything sticks to them

spinsoffresonance · May 2014

In addition to what PP have suggested, try medela hydrogels to relieve the pain. Peel off the protective plastic, run them under cold water and freeze for 20min before putting on your breast. It feels amazing. That being said if your nipples are cracking you might have a bad latch. Make sure LO is opening wide and taking most of your areola in the mouth, not just the nipple. If the latch isnt good, stick your pinky in LO's mouth to break the seal, remove your breast and start over. When you remove the breast your nipple should be nice and round, not flat. I'd suggest seeing a lactation consultant to help fix the latch

Nikkidoll15 · May 2014

Everyone has pretty much covered the tips for healing. I just want to add that I am 2 weeks post partum and I am a FTM and breastfeeding. It does get better: I'm so proud of myself for making it past the pain. Keep up with the ointment and keep feeding, time heals!. Hang in here girl

fatbarbie0226 · May 2014

STM breastfeeding and a new tip that I found helpful this time is, after feeding, express some breast milk and rub it on your nipples, then let them air dry. After they are all dry, put lanolin on them and then a clean, dry nursing pad. I have had very minimal pain this time and no cracking because of this and always always always making sure there's a good latch!

ArmyMedic7588 · May 2014

I love the earth mama angel baby boobie tubes!! They're like the reheat rice packs but you can freeze or heat them.

mprtrdg · May 2014

It does get better! I had the same thing happen and my doctor recommended getting a nipple shield to use for a day or so while the nipple healed. I use it every second feed or so, then put on tand my cracked bleeding nipples healed within two days!

Marcella05 · May 2014

FTM here. I was SO frustrated with the pain and conflicting information on the causes of it. Everything pointed to bad latch, except my little milk fiend has a perfect latch, so that wasn't it for me. After a week, I've learned that it's just a combination of (1) toughening up your nipples cuz how often do you have someone sucking on them for as long as your baby does? (2) the sensation when I let-down is like a burning (not so much a tingling like all my books say). After the first 10 seconds of sucking, the pain goes away. And after the first week of BF, they're not sore anymore, and only a little sensitive sometimes. Glad I muscled through it.

deanna1313 · May 2014

My lactation consultant from my breastfeeding class said that if your nipples are cracking and/or bleeding that is a sign if a bad latch.

Also, I have had many people mention that I should use a hot compress on the breast and she said for any type of inflammation on the body it should always be cold. I feel like that makes sense, but I'm getting mixed reviews.

Good luck and hang in there. You'll get past this bad time and it will be smooth sailing from there. You can do it!

typeset · May 2014

I breastfed my older son for a year. Perfect latch with this baby, and it still took a week of toe curling pain, Lanolin, and air time to toughen them back up. Hang in there, OP.

Snikle512 · May 2014

Thanks ladies! We are a week out and I did see a LC just two days ago that helped with the latch issue. I will try the tips you have provided and work through it!! I love the bonding and nutrition it provides for her. I am sad I didn't follow through with my previous babies

. Thank you for all the help and support

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