[elyen]

I have a beautiful 2-week old son who is giving me tremendous problems on one breast only.

Since day 1, my right nipple has been sore, then soon developed cracks and blood blisters. The pain when trying to latch on was excruciating and frustrating. I saw a lactation consultant a few days ago, and she said I had a very edematous (swollen and bruised) nipple that made it difficult for baby to latch on. She helped me with positioning, and advised me to apply ice after each nursing, plus take acidophilus, and periodically rinse with baking soda solution to prevent thrush.

Well, I developed an even bigger and deeper crack that continues to bleed a tiny bit. I also developed mastitis on this breast. Now, I cannot even nurse on my right side anymore, and have been advised to just pump the right side and allow the swelling and cracks to heal, even though the pumping seems to aggravate the cracks a little bit.

On top of all that, I think my milk supply has suddenly dropped... I used to be able to catch nearly 2 ounces of milk from my right breast, simply by putting a cup underneath it while dh was nursing on my left breast. Now, I can only get about 1-1.5 ounces when PUMPING on that breast.

My left nipple and breast have been totally FINE, which makes me wonder if it's possible to have a good latch on one breast, but not the other??

AUGGH! Any suggestions on how to help ANY of these problems?

Thanks!

 

[Quirky]

Congratulations on the birth of your new baby boy!

My baby had a much easier time latching onto my left breast than my right...I think they're differently shaped and I know the right nipple is a little indented and doesn't pop out as much. He eventually grew big enough that he could handle both sides, but still has a preference for the left.

I think it's probably smart to give the right side a break and not nurse on it until it's healed up. Yes, your supply on that side will probably drop, but if you let it totally heal, when he can nurse from it your supply will probably pick up again. In the mean time, you will likely develop enough of a supply on the left side to feed him just fine.

I would be careful on the pumping; do it frequently but not so aggressively you're re-traumatizing the breast. Definitely do not crank the volume all the way!

I would also get your OB/midwife to write you a script for Jack Newman's all purpose nipple ointment (recipe here). This will be soothing and help ward of thrush, and you don't need to wipe it off before nursing.

When your breast is healed, you might want to play around with different holds to see if your baby can latch on better in a different position. I found the My Brest Friend nursing pillow invaluable for holding my baby up so he wasn't pulling downwards on the breast (and it really saved my arms and back, too).

Hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[wombat]

I'm so sorry to hear about the pain you're in. I think it's quite common to have problems with just one side. I used to hate my left breast - dd had such problems latching onto it, would have a shallower latch and caused me so much pain. But your son will grow out of it.

I agree with Jane, give that breast a break until the skin heals. But you must pump to prevent plugged ducts and mastitis recurring. Probably no more than 5-10 mins every few hours.

Don't worry about your supply until your skin is healed. That will right itself once you start nursing on that side again. And you can always add in some pumping after nursing on that side to hurry things up.

Also if you typically have sensitive skin and allergies (like I do), be careful of what and how much you apply to your nipple as it heals. I liked the Jack Newman's ointment too. I found Lansinoh actually aggravated my problems. And don't use it with cracked skin anyway.

Your LC sounds great. Have you heard of those cold, gel things you can put in your bra? That might give some relief too.

Have you read up on kellymom.com? Lots of great tips and advice there too.

 

[DaryLLL]

Good ideas here. Just wanted to add, catching 2 oz of leaking milk from the "other side" while nursing is too much milk! :LOL! Baby may have been overwhelmed by all that milk and nursed oddly b/c of it. Not sure, just an idea. Pumping out 1 1/2 oz from one side is more than enough milk for a 2 week old, just from one side! I would say, no need to worry abt supply.

Are your nipples different size/shape/degree of popping out? Babies can get a kind of nipple confusion when this is the case. As they mature they learn what to do. Just might take a few weeks. Pump gently, heal and try try again. Good luck!