Raw nipples from breastfeeding - how to treat?

Question

Hello. My sis is breast feeding her new born. Her nipples are so raw now that she is ready to go to the Dr - in fact she will go tomorrow. Has this happened to others here? Will she just have to start giving him the formula? Can this be corrected? I guess she is pretty sore.
Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I nursed both of my girls until past their first birthdays.

But when my younger daughter was born, she had a lousy latch-on that was hard for me to correct. She was doing great, gaining weight and eating like a champ, but *I* was a horrible, bloody, raw mess. I had HOLES in each nipple. She would wake up and cry to be fed, and I would cry, too. It hurt so bad I was SURE I was going to have to stop nursing her. It hurt to wear a bra. It hurt to not wear a bra. It hurt to take a shower, or to wear a seat belt, or to hug my toddler. It was awful. (And it WASN'T mastitis.)

But I met with a lactation consultant at the hospital where the baby was born, and she helped me get straightened out. She watched us nurse, and made some corrections to our technique. And she also told me that the baby had an asymptomatic thrush infection, that had spread to me. It took a 21-day course of Diflucan to knock out the infection, and I had to be really careful and vigilant about nursing technique. But we made it through.

I just had to stick with it, even when the going was tough, and keep trying things until I found something that worked for us.

The lactation consultant told me that MOST problems are due to poor technique, one way or another. I went in thinking, "I KNOW how to nurse! I just finished doing this with another baby not too long ago..." but she pointed out that every baby is learning to nurse for the first time. And it's hard to correct your own nursing technique. You think you're doing everything right, but it's amazing how helpful minor adjustments to your position or the baby's position can be. A lactation consultant can also tell you some quick and easy over-the-counter tips to try--everything from Lansinoh to Lotrimin AF--if you suspect something more than irritation due to poor technique. And she/he will be your biggest advocate if it turns out you need support or prescriptions or something from your doctor or insurance company. I can't say enough good things about Dotty at Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, MN!

Oh, and I nursed through the misery, but I did, for a few days, pump instead of nursing. I didn't have a problem offering a bottle--my babies were born jaundiced and were given bottles, occasionally, from day 1. So that wasn't a problem. Pumping didn't give me enough time to heal completely, but it was enough to heal the WORST of the damage and make it bearable.

Answer 2

I agree with everyone else - push through it, it's worth it for mom and baby. I had some sore nipples, too, my son was a preemie and couldn't suck very well. After 3 weeks of going rough, I got a nipple shield. It helped immensely! It helps collect suction and provides a barrier between mouth and breast so it can heal a little. The only caveat: beware that baby may not like to nurse without the shield for a while. It took several months before my baby would go without the shield. Ok by my however! They're rather hard to find - Medela is the best, buy at babies r us. BTW - if she actually mastitis - the lactation consultant will reccommend nursing through it, as the suction can help pull the blockage out. The whole dark area of the breast (areola) should be covered by baby's mouth.
To help insure a good latch: first touch your finger lightly to baby's bottom lip (this triggers the rooting reflex and will make him open wide) and then very quickly put wide open mouth over areola. If baby slides off easy, it's not a good latch. If he's only got the nipple, it's not a good latch. Try different holds. Football hold worked best for me (hold baby head in left hand and baby body in left arm and put on left breast, reverse for other side) it gives the most control for latch positioning. I echo the other answerers: see a lactation consultant, her ob/gyn's office probably has one, or the hospital where she delivered. A Dr. usually isn't much help.
But above all - Don't give up! If she has to supplement some, there's no guilt in that at all (I did it for lack of enough milk), but there's no substitute for the breast.

Answer 3

She can try using Lanolin after nursing... to help keep the skin soft & help to heal cracks. Other than that, she will have to tough it out for a few days. Her nipples need to "toughen" up before the pain subsides. There are a couple of other factors she'll need to consider:
1) Does she have a yeast infection on her nipples? If so, this could cause alot of discomfort and pain. Have her check he baby's mouth to see if there's any visible white patches (thrush) on the roof of the mouth. If she can't determine this for herself, have the pediatrician take a look. If this is not the case...
2) Is she having problems with latching on? When the baby doesn't latch on properly, it can be excruciating. Have her try the following before she starts nursing:
- express some milk out with thumb & index finger so that the nipple (areola) becomes a bit softer. This will allow for an easier latch for the baby and less trauma on her nipples.
- she can try using a nipple shield which helps protect the skin from further damage. Try not to use it for too long (baby can get confused).
- If she can afford it, see a lactation consultant (they charge about $175 in NY at least). She'll be amazed at what she can learn from them.
- She can pump her milk and feed it with a bottle until her nipples heal (but I think she'll probably face the same problem).

I speak from experience (I'm still nursing my 1 year old w/teeth... Ouch!). Don't give up on nursing until you've tried absolutely everything. I went through 3 breast infections, 9 weeks of pumping every 3 hours and bottle feeding... all the while still trying to have him latch on with no success and lots of cracks in my nipples... and many, many nights & days of crying because I couldn't get it right and it hurt so bad. Finally, I just bit my lip... and dealt with the pain for about a week, and finally it happened! The pain was gone, and I was nursing the way I had imagined it.
I say if I could do it, anyone can. I hope my comments bring some comfort and help. I know I made it sound like hell... (and for me it was just that), but it's the truth and I'm glad I didn't give up.
She can also contact the La Leche League and speak to a volunteer in her home town. They will give her some good advice.

Answer 4

Raw Nipples

Answer 5

Coat nipple with breast milk after nursing. Let air dry. Then have Lansinoh (however it is spelled) handy. Change nursing pads often. Moisture on irritated skin does not help. After a couple of days, this should clear it up. Make sure baby is latched on properly. The baby's mouth should be over the nipple and most of the areola. That is the main cause for sore nipples. Good Luck and hang in there. I just saw that someone said to stop nursing and give the baby a bottle. I you want to continue to nurse, please don't. It will confuse the baby. It may be uncomfortable, but it is well worth it.

Answer 6

How old is the baby?

The first 3 weeks is a little tough on the nipples. But that goes away. Putting some breastmilk on the nipple and allowing it to airdry helps. The breastmilk will act as an antibacterial agent. Some of the nipple creams need to be washed off before nursing...why not just use what you have.

If the baby is older. She should go to a lactation consultant to make sure the baby is latching on properly.

Answer 7

SILICONE BREAST COVERS
I have nursed 5 babies and have struggled with awful raw, sore nipples. Please encourage your sister not to give up though!!! It will pass in a few weeks. I have found something that works wonders though...prevents the scabs and makes it bearable...they are silicone breast covers. I have seen them in Wal-Mart these days. She can also call a lactation consultant...should have been one in the maternity ward at the hospital. The doctor probably will be a waste of time. She can't take a break...her milk supply will dry up and baby will be weaned. Plus the engorgement on top of sore nipples would be extra painful :-( Breastfeeding is worth it...it will become a wonderful time for mother and baby :-)

Answer 8

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RE:
Raw nipples from breastfeeding - how to treat?
Hello. My sis is breast feeding her new born. Her nipples are so raw now that she is ready to go to the Dr - in fact she will go tomorrow. Has this happened to others here? Will she just have to start giving him the formula? Can this be corrected? I guess she is pretty sore.
Thanks in...

Answer 9

She shouldn't quit nursing if she really doesn't want to. Raw nipples are the hump you have to go over to get to really good nursing. However, she might want to get some help to make sure her baby is latching on correctly also. In the meantime, Lanolin works wonders on raw, cracked nipples. She'll heal up in a day or so if she uses it.

Answer 10

Lansinoh can be a life saver , also breast sheilds . they are hard plastic and have a hole for your nipple to fit in and it takes pressure of a bra rubbing up against them . i used both of these and it did wonders .
also if she is going to the doctor tell her to take the baby and speak to a lactation consultant . she may not be allowing the baby to latch on properly , it is something you must learn and is not something that automatically happens . to get a baby to latch on properly they need to have as much of the breast in their mouth as they can . they need the part past the nipple . if not the baby is gumming the nipple while feeding and OUCH!!!!
tell her to stroke the babies cheek to get him to open their mouth wide . also check to see if the baby has white dots on his tongue . this is thrush and is very painful . if it is thrush the baby needs drops to get rid of it and so does your sis .
the hospital where she delivered or the local wic office has breastfeeding help . call either or both and see if someone can meet with her to help her out . giving formula when your heart was set on breastfeeding is very upsetting and unneccessary at this point until some medical reason calls for it .
i think she just needs some help !
good luck and please update us