have I just taken 10 steps backwards....

[holly]

The past few days I have felt that I've finally got the hang of this breastfeeding business, I can feel 12 day old DD sucking on breast not nipple EXCEPT that I have such bad nipple damage from the first few days that it can still be quite painful for the first 10-20 seconds. Anyway she's had a very good day where she's slept loads so I thought it would be a good opportunity to express from the sorest breast just now as she didn't feed as much as normal last feed.
But once I had expressed 20mls my nipple looked worse and was very sore. Have I now done more damage? I'm in tears dreading the next feed now... I feel like I've taken 10 steps backward....
I'm wanting to express soume milk so my husband can do some feeds and I can go to a few functions coming up bt I'm feeling there is no good time to do it and I'll just keep damaging them?

[rynosmum]

Hi Holly,

I remember that time as well - absolutely dreading the intial pain of the next feed. Use Lasinoh cream straight after each feed or let the breastmilk dry on them (okay, not sure if this helped me either). It does settle after a while but I recall the pump just seemed to make it worse.

Hugs to you - I wish there was a quick fix...:hugs:

[xkwzit]

I feel your pain :hugs:

You should be able to express from damaged nipples w/o further damage. When I had humungous cracks to give them a chance to heal up, I would feed on the undamaged side all the time, but express with a hand (or electric) pump on the damaged side at the feeds I would normally use that side. Within 24 hours each time, enough healing had happened that I could put baby back on. Do it carefully and lessen the suction if you feel it is too much.

Express a little milk to rub on your nipples, its antibac and promotes fast healing.

If you don't notice an improvement when you "rest" the affected side, you may have some other bug in there that is preventing healing. Consider seeing an LC at this point (I'm not sure a GP will know enough to help you). Mine suggested a cream that I used for a few days that seemed to help heal my nipples up.

HTH

[Manxie]

Hi Holly:hugs:

I'm glad that things are going a little better for you. Do you have some of the lanosil ointment think thats how its spelt it comes in a purple tube its fantastic and will help you heal quickly - plus rubbing some expressed milk on as the others said.

I also expressed with an electric pump on a damaged side and it really did heal up well.

Sorry I havent got any other advice, your doing a fantastic job and it will get better and rest assured they will heal:D

[holly]

well it's just been the 12am feed and suprisingly enough I grited teeth and fed her on the sore boob and it was fine! I have been using Lansinoh and I really think it may be helping... phew, I feel so relaxed again, I guess the look of the damage is worse than the pain. Thanks heaps girls...

[the_queen]

Hey when I had a cracked and bleeding nipple a few weeks back, one thing that helped me was I fed him in a different position for 24 hours. I used the twin hold (or football hold), and because he's sucking from a different angle, it doesn't hurt so much. Still bl**dy hurt :laughing: but not quite so much. Gave the crack a chance to heal too.
And the lansinoh was an absolute GOD SEND. Magnificent stuff that.

I can't believe that it was only a few weeks ago that I was in absolute agony every feed, dreading feed times and crying when he woke up for a feed. Now it is just such a breeze, I can even breastfeed in the dark, so no more getting up and watching after-midnight TV for me!!
My point is, during the time that breastfeeding is hard, it feels like it will last forever, but it gets easier so quickly that pretty soon you will forget (almost!) the pain. :hugs:

[joe]

I too can recommend the football hold. I had very damaged nipples from day one and used to alternate the feeding position at every feed. Probably not what you want to hear but it took four weeks for my nipples to stop hurting and another two weeks until they were totally pain free. I tried the Lansinoh cream but just seemed to make them worse but I know it works for a lot of people. Soaking in warm salty water in between feeds and airing them out (bit too cold for this now though) seemed to be the only thing that would help. I am so glad I stuck with BF now as it does get easier and now I find feeding relaxing! :)

[Tarnya]

The only thing I haven't seen someone suggest is Paw Paw ointment it is completely safe and UNIVERSAL you will adapt it into the daily workings of your life. Courtesy of my grandma in NZ you get it at any chemist and they have it in AUST :) Islanders aren't they amazing :)

[spring]

I had the same problem & the health nurse gave me Medela nipple sheilds, they were GREAT! Some people say not to use them for extended periods but I did till Azalea was almost a month when I forgot to bring them home from a holiday, probably a good thing because I then found I didn't need them any more. They allow you nipple to get used to feeding without blisters & cracking:smiliedance:
I tried other brands but medela was the only one I would recommend if you can't find them at the chemist maybe ask the maternity hospital (thats were i got mine)