My baby is 6 weeks old, and we got off to a rocky start (he was on a ventilator for awhile, didn't start nursing till 2 weeks old, and instincts were definitely tampered with). I have a good supply. I thought we finally had a correct latch about a week ago, and things have been relatively comfortable, but now my nipples are bleeding at the beginning of every nursing session. This is the first time I've noticed it. I probably wouldn't notice except for the fact that we're using a nipple shield, and I can take him off the breast and see the red blood inside the shield. After a minute or two it's just my creamy milk. It really disturbs me. I've heard it's okay for him to ingest it, but it's hard to believe.
Do you think the nipple shield is adding to the blood? I think the bleeding cracks run in a semi-circle around the nipple. I tried without the shield: a) he doesn't like it; b) it made my nipples hurt WAY more!!
I've seen a LC twice and talked to a LLL once. I coat my nipples in lanolin from time to time. I think we're getting the hang of the latch, but probably not. I take ibuprofin when it's really bad, which is huge for me since I believe pain is a sign something's wrong and I usually try to get rid of pain in another manner. I can see why people quit bf, and if I weren't so determined, I probably would, too.
Advice?
Do you think the nipple shield is adding to the blood? I think the bleeding cracks run in a semi-circle around the nipple. I tried without the shield: a) he doesn't like it; b) it made my nipples hurt WAY more!!
I've seen a LC twice and talked to a LLL once. I coat my nipples in lanolin from time to time. I think we're getting the hang of the latch, but probably not. I take ibuprofin when it's really bad, which is huge for me since I believe pain is a sign something's wrong and I usually try to get rid of pain in another manner. I can see why people quit bf, and if I weren't so determined, I probably would, too.
Advice?
