[laurabfig]

I am nursing my 3 month old ds. Over the past few days I have noticed increasing pain on my R side when he nurses. Today I actually looked closely and found that I have a open crack on the bottom side of the nipple...tonight it looked like it was almost bleeding. And it HURTS when he nurses.

Someone tell me that this isn't thrush!?! I tried to do a search here to get some info, but didn't come up with much that really helped me. Anyone have any suggestions...right now I am just using lanolin in between nursings and grinning and bearing it while he is on that side. I nursed my dd too and never had a problem with thrush so I'm not familiar with what it would be like. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks mamas!

 

[kabramson]

I had this same problem when initiating bf with my older son and I can still vividly remember the pain. I feel for you. In my case, it was not thrush but the result of a bad latch. I'm not sure in your case though, since you've been nursing for 3 months already. Can you go see a LC (either independent or with LLL)? It's really best if you can get this cleared up quickly, as it might become worse. It took me several weeks of repositioning son while nursing, combined with all purpose nipple ointment (compounded at the pharmacy) and eventually a cortisone ointment to heal my cracks. As far as positioning goes, my LC had ds latch on so that the crack would be toward the corner of his mouth. That way, he would cause less irritation while nursing.

I hope this helps and best of luck to you.

Kelly

 

[Night Owl]

I agree with kabramson. This sounds like a positioning issue. Have you been doing anything differently? Have you offered a pacifier or bottle lately? Has he been sick?

At any rate, a lactation consultant should be able to help you find out what is wrong. In the mean time, try using some lansinoh on the sore nipple, in between nursing. This is what helped me when I was having trouble with my ds and latching.

 

[Mrs. Edwards]

Laura, I experienced the same thing with my oldest when she was 10 months old, and unfortunately it was thrush in our case. My daughter was told she had it around 7-8 months old, and I developed a yeast infection and a crack at around 9 months. Have you seen any white patches in the mouth of your son?

 

[laurabfig]

Unfortunately, I DO see white patches in his mouth...along the insides of the cheeks.

I'm going to talk to a LLL leader today and go to a dr. to get treatment ASAP.