Cracked and bleeding nipple. X-posted in Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy.

[Nora'sMama]

This got no posts and very few hits in BBI, so I thought I would try it here. I have read some concern that this forum should be reserved for major breastfeeding challenges, of which this certainly is not, so I do hope that its presence is not offensive to anyone. If so, LMK and I will delete.

Here is what is posted in the other thread:

My 14-month-old was late to get teeth...she only has 4. The top 2 have been in for about a month. I cannot get her to latch so that they don't bite into my nipples. It is slightly better when nursing lying down, but that isn't always possible.

The right side is MUCH worse than the left. Now today it is bleeding and the whole boob hurts. I don't think I can nurse on it. The last time she nursed on that side it was excruciating. I have tried to work with her on the latch, try different positions, etc., nothing seems to work.

I put Lansinoh on it. Is there anything else I should be using?

I'm so depressed over this because it is making me dread nursing. And I used to love to nurse my sweet girl, who is nowhere near weaning.

Can anyone help?

Any tips on hand-expressing from a wounded boob would be appreciated...if I don't nurse on the right side, I'm going to get engorged, and my pump (which never worked well anyway) is broken.

[quirkylayne]

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[paisley]

When I had cracked and bleeding nipples (ds was a newborn), my LC recommended pumping on the damaged side to keep up supply while letting the tissue heal. Can you borrow or rent a pump for a little bit? I ended up having to pump only on one side and then pump only on the other side because the previously good one would get damaged from overuse, so the pumping lasted a couple weeks. Depending on how you feel about bottles, you could also give the EBM instead of nursing a few times a day for extra physical and emotional healing.

I also think lanolin would be a good bet. Please do be aware of thrush. I would actually skip putting EBM on your nipples because of the risk of thrush. (I had a nasty battle with it after our cracking/bleeding episode so I am totally biased, but I would hate for you to go through the same thing.) Step up on your probiotics, maybe even applying some to your nipples and/or spritzing them with dilute vinegar after nursing/pumping to discourage yeast growth. With the cracking, those little beasts can get way up into your breast and cause hell.

Ideally, of course, you could get your dd to correct her latch. Is there a LLL group or a good lactation consultant that you can get in touch with? It sounds like if you can't get that worked on then you will be stuck in this yucky cycle. Can you call first thing in the morning?

I'm so sorry that you are in so much pain. I know that feeling of dread and how much it hurts. You will get through this. You are doing a great job.

[Momtwice]

Have you looked at Kellymom? http://www.kellymom.com

I think they have an article about biting in the "older baby."

[PudnHead]

Nora'sMama - Here is a very good article from Kellymom about healing an open wound: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...lehealing.html. It has some good suggestions such as nurse from the uninjured side first or put ice on the wound a minute or two before nursing. Also try a different position when nursing.

I went through something very similar when Cory turned 1 although I think it was due to vigorous sucking and not a bite. My wound didn't heal and kept getting bigger and bigger. I was in a lot of pain and dreaded every nursing session. I tried several of the suggestions (mostly nursing in a different posisition) and used the saline wash after every session. That is what helped me. The pain went away within a day or two and I think within a week or 2, the wound was healed up.

Good luck

[Nora'sMama]

Thanks so much for the great advice! I'm going to try out these suggestions. I don't think it is thrush, and I think the whole breast might just have been aching because I wasn't nursing on it and was starting to get engorged - I nursed on it during the night and it's OK now. But the nipple still really hurts.

Unfortunately I was never able to pump more than 1 oz. even when my pump worked, and I have no idea where to rent a pump - I think it would be more trouble than it's worth. If I need to I'll hand-express a little. I'm going to try dilute vinegar and stepping up the probiotics to help prevent thrush. ICE also sounds divine. Ack, I hate this! I am dreading nursing again just typing this...anyway, I"m sure it will get better.

Thanks again.