Can't do it much longer if I can't fix this...

[sharita]

This is baby #5 to breastfeed and you'd think i'd be a pro by now but every baby is different and presents new challenges.  Baby is going on 2 months now.  First 2 weeks we dealt with thrush and though it was painful and aggrivating, I had dealt with it before so I managed and we got through it.  No issues with it since.

Then, a couple weeks later as everything seemed to be smoothing out and we were over the initial hump that comes in the beginning, things took a huge turn for the worse over the course of only 3 days.  I started noticing my nipples were getting really sore and stinging.  I was extra vigilant about her latch which looked perfect from the start.  However, the pain got worse and worse.  I noticed some red on my breastpad and found that my nipples were cracked along the side on one breast.  It was my left and she never liked that one as much as the nipple is shaped a bit different (not as perfecty round) so I figured she was nursing wrong or something on that side.  I tried giving that side a rest and just pumped that one but by the next day, the other side was cracked too.  It has gotten worse and worse.  I keep them coated in lanolin (if not they stick to the breastpads). I notice that the cracks are healing every breastpad change but new ones are popping up as the others are healing so its ongoing! 

I was able to grit my teeth through the thrush but this is unbearable.  The pain is so bad (especially on my right breast now, the one sshe liked most) that I can't feed her on it, even with numbing with ice and ibuprofen I just cry out its so bad like razor blades (no exaggeration) The pain gets worse the longer she is on instead of subsiding after a few minutes.  I have already had to start supplementing with formula a little and now pumping is also too painful.

I got a nipple shield and have found that she can't get much out and will breastfeed for 15 mins and my breast is still full and engorged and she is unhappy and still hungry so she can't get much with the shield on, not to mention it still hurts even with shield but not as bad. 

The problem is definitely these cracks but the mystery is why I have them.  Her latch is fine.  She does nurse very very frequently for comfort as well as meals (until recently)

Anatomy wise, I have very large nipples and maybe she just has a smaller mouth than all of my other babes is the only thing I can think could contribute.

If anyone has ANY advice whether it be how to get the cracks to heal, dealing with the pain, or having large nipples and a small mouth baby, or anything!  I am so desperate and really don't want to quit BFing but am not sure what to do as we are headed south fast.  It will be a week before I can see a lactation consultant again but the one I met with for a few minutes couldnt see an issue at glace 

[KellyAAnn]

Get some of Dr Jack Newman's All Purpose Nipple Oitment.  I have friends who have had success.  I just got some yesterday and I feel a little better (I have cracking from a 9 wo just learning to latch).  Also we used the shield initally and I found it harder on the nipple then nursing. 

http://www.pregnancy.org/article/all-purpose-nipple-ointment-apno

[AutumnW]

Do you think that it could be thrush manifesting in a different way than it did the first time?  Based just on the description that is what it sounds like to me.  Especially if her latch was fine and things were getting better and then this pain and cracking came along all of a sudden.  If I were you I would go on a rampage to eliminate any yeast like boiling breastpads, bras, pump parts and any nipples that baby uses along with a law sugar diet with added plain yogurt or probiotics.  You could even put plain yogurt on your nipples to sooth them.

The only other thing that I can think it could be seems unlikely just because you have nursed so much before but some women get cracked, sore nipples if they don't break the suction before pulling baby off of their breast. 

[foreverinbluejeans]

It sounds like thrush to me and all the things you are doing could be making it worse. The good new is that if you stop the things you are doing and treat the thrush then everything may be great! The lanolin, pads, & shields all can make thrush worse. Now the supplimenting can mess up the latch, the thing that was good. Maybe that hasn't happened.

You may need oral meds for the thrush. Your husband and of course your baby may need to be treated. In some cases the whole family can need to be treated. You can have to boil, wash, and clean everything. LLL and kellymom.com bot have good info on thrush on their web sites.

[Mulvah]

Originally Posted by KellyAAnn 

Get some of Dr Jack Newman's All Purpose Nipple Oitment.  I have friends who have had success.  I just got some yesterday and I feel a little better (I have cracking from a 9 wo just learning to latch).  Also we used the shield initally and I found it harder on the nipple then nursing. 

http://www.pregnancy.org/article/all-purpose-nipple-ointment-apno

This.  I ended up making my own, though, because I honestly could not wait.  I also pumped because it felt better to pump and that helped.  I know some people are against it, but we gave a bottle/day and had no nipple confusion issues.