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Bleeding nipples

KatedannKatedann member
in Breastfeeding
I think I just need some encouragement... My LO is 5 weeks old and we just haven't been able to get a good latch. I think our biggest issue is that she doesn't open wide enough and, if she does initially, she gradually clenches her jaw as she's feeding. I'm at the tail end of a yeast infection, so I'm staying away from lanolin, but my left nipple is bleeding a LOT to the point that my LO's spit up is bloody (like crime scene bloody) and her poop is black. This is the 3rd time it's happened, so I'm not worried about her health, just totally discouraged and in pain!

I do have an appointment to see an LC on Tuesday, but any tips or encouragement to get me through until then would be very welcome.
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Re: Bleeding nipples

  • SidraJediSidraJedi member
    edited November 2014
    DD has a lip and a tongue tie. They hindered a good latch for a while but eventually we pushed through and she was thriving. 20 months later we are still nursing! I remember feeling so helpless and overwhelmed in the beginning. You can do this. I am sure that your LC appointment will help you feel better and if you can attend some LLL meetings or weighed feedings (ask your LC) that will be reassuring too. I went to weighed feedings long after I needed to just bc I needed support and it was worth it.
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  • jenn43jenn43 member
    Hang in there!  All Purpose Nipple Ointment (APNO) is awesome.  When my nipples were bleeding, that's the only thing that got me through it.  And it helps the pain so much...

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  • KatedannKatedann member
    Thank you both! I saw an LC when LO was a week old and she said everything looked good and she was gaining weight well (which is reassuring to me), so I assumed the pain would go away with time. I also went to a LLL meeting a couple of weeks ago and they were lovely and shared some tips, but nothing that has worked for me. I'm really hoping the LC I see on Tuesday will be good. I will ask about the APNO - do I need a prescription for that?
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  • DecafGrandeMochaDecafGrandeMocha member
    Are you rotating how you hold your baby during feeds? I would do cradle hold only and then developed a bleb. My LC suggested rotating between cradle and football hold which helped decrease the pain. Also has your baby been checked for a tongue tie?
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  • jenn43jenn43 member
    APNO is prescription only
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  • laxin31laxin31 member
    For me pumping helped. It gave time for my nipples to heal and now my LO takes boob and bottle which is nice cause it allowed my husband to feed him, and other things. Now both my nipples are in much better shape to do more breast feeding.
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  • KatedannKatedann member
    Thanks for all of your suggestions. We went to a different LC today and I think (hope) we've figured out the problem(s).

    I have an oversupply and LO has torticollis, both of which are making it hard for her to open and keep her jaw wide. I'm going to lay back while nursing and we're going to try some stretches until her 6-week checkup next week and if it's not improving, look into PT.

    Her poor latch caused my nipples to bleed and now I have a staph infection, so she gave me ointment to clear that up. Hopefully we'll see some improvement soon!

    Thanks again for all of your advice and encouragement!
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