Cracked nipple- healing time?

[heatherweh]

Its been about a week and a half to two weeks I'd imagine since I've had this cracked nipple, it hurts horribly to nurse with this and I try to avoid it until I'm lopsided and start leaking. I've been putting breastmilk and lansinoh in the crack- any other suggestions? Anyone know how long this might take to heal? It just seems an eternity.

[tarahsolazy]

I've had on and off cracks since October or so, my DD has always had a terrible latch. What I have found that helps is hydrogel pads, either the Ameda ones, or Soothies. They are spendy, $11 a pair, but I cut them in two, and wear each half for three days, so its a little more affordable. These really help the cracks heal. You never really get a thick scab for the baby to break open with each nursing. I have also rested that breast from nursing for up to 24 hours at a time, pumping instead. I can do that as its mostly one side that is affected.

[zensven42]

Lanisoh never worked for me. I swear by putting on breast milk and letting it dry and using Aquaphor on the cracks....such relief.

Kristin Skrydlak-Simlai

[kimbersdawnly]

Lansinoh didn't do it for me either.

Things that did: Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter, air exposure - no bra as much as possible, eating lots of eggs (soy lecithin, found in egg yolks, helps with healing cracks and with plugged ducts), and a little ice before nursing on that side to numb the nipple a bit.

Hang in there!

[kimbersdawnly]

Oh, and you could take lecithin as a supplement I think rather than eating the eggs, but if your eating it in a food, it's going to absorb better and it's more natural, one less thing to buy, etc. I think the eggs really helped me though, I had one crack that kept healing and re-cracking. The general remedies (nipple butter, air) encouraged the healing process, but the lecithin got rid of it for good.

[orca]

I had a crack that lasted for weeks! I know how grossly painful it is when they break the scab at each latch... What worked for me: I applied diluted calendula tincture after every other feed and Grapefruit seed extract every other feed. Lots of air drying- my husband never got used to the topless dinner table

Good luck

[durafemina]

I had a deep, horrible nipple crack with dd that lasted for about 7 weeks. Breast shells (NOT nipple shields - the cups-like ones you wear in between feedings so the nipple doesn't rub/stays 'extended') comfrey ointment when not feeding on that side (comfrey oil in lanolin), letting soapy water run over it in the shower, resting that side and pumping (by the time dd was 6 weeks old I did this for 4 days and that's what finally healed it - though I don't reccomend it as the first choice because it made me very lopsided for awhile - luckily I had great supply so all turned out well) and I also tried Jack Newman's antibiotic cream with limited success (so against antibiotics, but was desperate!).
I've also heard soaking the nipple in epsom salts dissolved in water.
Honestly, it was frustrating and painful and annoying - but I did heal, and you will too ((hugs)).

[Ofwait]

I found the Lansinoh, did not work at all.


Keep it dry, even sit in the sun some, just watch out for the neighbors, as the UV will kill the bacteria.

[cj'smommy]

that hurts!

I have psorasis and ended up with it on my nipples I had cracks all the time, and they would go halfway around my nipple.

Anyway what worked best for me was to keep it as dry, I kept that breast exposed to the air as much as possible. Everytime I put Lansinoh or my RX ointment on it (which was safe for breastfeeding) it would make it too soft and it would never heal. When the crack was finally healed is when I would use Lansinoh or my RX ointment on it to keep it soft. For me that seemed to work the best.

I also used a nipple shield as much as I could, but DS didn't like it much. So I would just breathe through the pain.

I hope it gets better for you soon.