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Sore, cracked nipples normal?

brianandkelseybrianandkelsey member
in Breastfeeding
I'm a STM, FTBF. I pumped for about two weeks with my first and then we switched to formula. With this one, she has latched on great so we are going the BFing route.

She is 8 days old and about two days ago, my nipples started to get really sore and cracked. My right is just sore and only hurts during the first 15 seconds of feeding and then it's fine. My left is sore, cracked and bleeding. Her latch seems to be fine. 

My questions are:
1. Are the sore, cracked nipples just part of the process? Everything I read seems to say that it has to be related to bad latch/sucking but Ive seen some of you say that you had sore nipples for weeks. 

2. Should I pump on the left side until that nipple heals or nurse through it? It hurts pretty much the entire time she is on but it's not unbearable. But will the nipple take forever to heal if I continue to nurse on it? 

My hospital offers a free LC service if I need to go check the latch. I just wanted to get feedback here before I go that route. 
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Re: Sore, cracked nipples normal?

  • DecafGrandeMochaDecafGrandeMocha member
    Congrats on your baby girl! I highly recommend you get her latch checked by the LC because pain is no fun. I think pumping on your left side will help for now, but let the more experienced moms correct me if I'm wrong. Until then, have you tried rubbing EBM or lanolin on your nipples after feeding to moisturize them? HTH!
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  • bohemianlcbohemianlc member
    edited November 2014
    I also had issues with sore and cracked nipples. While my baby was latching on okay, I wasn't removing him from the nipple in the correct manner, which led to me also developing some blisters that were very painful! I was able to see a lactation consultant the very same day that I called to make an appointment, so I would really suggest you call them and see if they can fit you in. It really helps to have someone observe you with your baby and offer practical guidance. I agree with PP that you don't want to stop nursing and/or pumping from that breast. The lactation consultant I met with said that stopping to feed on one breast would lead to painful engorgement and would eventually hurt my supply.  

    As for healing what's already hurting, I used The Honest Company Nipple Balm to help my nipples heal, and it worked right away. I noticed a huge difference just a couple of hours after applying it. You can purchase it @ Buy Buy Baby and Target. Lanolin definitely helps, but the nipple balm made more of a difference for me personally. My lactation consultant also gave me Medela Soft Shells to keep my clothes from rubbing against my nipples and causing more irritation; they also helped in keeping the balm from wrecking my shirts/bras.

    Hang in there! My LO is just shy of two months old now and I have had no blistering/cracking/pain since he was about two weeks old. It's a learning process for both you and the baby!

    *Edited to fix typo!
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  • brianandkelseybrianandkelsey member
    Thank you for the advice! I'm going to call the LC in the morning and they should be able to get me in same day. Thanks again.
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  • Knottie30597254Knottie30597254 member
    You are doing a great job going through the pain is not easy!!!! My LC made me change position every feeding and corrected my latch that was wrong and caused bleeding. I also used for a while Silverette nursing cups because they heal the soreness and the cracks, other people swear on coconut oil! whatever works breastfeeding should not be painful!
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