This is my 5th baby to nurse and am so very lucky to say I have never had mastitis before or even a plugged duct. Just battled thrush every time. Never had cracked or bleeding nipples. Well today, after nursing for 6 weeks now, when we should be in the smooth sailing zone, I finally examine the breast that has been sore with latching for two days now and realize that nipples is cracked slightly. Not so deep that it bleeds but enough that it is red and sore in those two cracked areas on the side of my nipple. Its only one breast. I am not sure why after no issues (besides thrush early on) that I have this now but my main concern is getting it to heal and preventing mastitis. I have read that the biggest concern for cracked nipples is bacteria entering there and causing mastitis. I am in pain daily with another physical problem right now and really am not needing one more thing causing pain at this point.
Anyone know steps to take to make it heal fastest and prevent bacteria from causing mastitis (though with her directly nursing it may be hard since salivia contains bacteria) and that wont end up making that breast produce less milk (such as if I didn't nurse as often on that side, it will slow down production there.
