breastfeeding problem?

Question

Hi, im breastfeeding my 8 month baby, and for 2 days now i have had a sore nipple, and delevoped a blister on it!
Ive still been breastfeeding with it but im so much pain, its rubbing off on baby. Ive got some nipple cream but it isnt really helping.
Ive tried warm flannels etc,
Any advice.......

Thank youx

baby has nearly 8 teeth, has happened a few times now and i grin and bear it!
Baby will not take a bottle, i've tried with breast milk and formula, and those teats that are like the breast.

i dont want to stop yet anyway, why dont people know that breast is best!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

I had that problem when my daughter was a few weeks old. The blister was REALLY painful when it burst! Here's what my lactation specialist told me to do:

1) Nurse on the "good" breast for 10 minutes to take the edge off the baby's hunger. While doing this, have a warm cloth or flannel on the sore boob.

2) Switch to the sore nipple and breast feed for at least 10 minutes, or as long as you can stand it (this will keep that breast producing).

3) Switch back to the "good" breast to finish the feeding, if baby is still hungry.

4) If at all possible, leave the nipple exposed to the air after nursing and as much as you can. I went completely topless while at home.

In a few days, it should be much better.

Several people have reccommended Lansinoh nipple cream. It's good stuff, but my daughter hated the taste. I used an all-vegetable herbal cream called Nipple Butter, which worked fine (and tasted yummy).

Answer 2

FIRST of all, CONGRATULATIONS on sticking with the breastfeeding, girl! Heaven knows it takes a lot of determination to go to 8 months! ANY amount of breastfeeding is beneficial to an infant, it IS the perfect food for humans!!! First of all, the feeding after 8 mos is well established. Has this happened before? Do you have ANY other symptoms of illness, such as a fever? Pain in other parts of the breast? Lumps?Is there a major difference in the amount of milk that one breast is expressing as opposed to the other? There may be an underlying infection if so. I have used Lansinoh creme and i SWEAR by it! It is totally safe for bab'ys consumption and it helps condition and toughen nipples. Im sure by now you know how baby should be latching on properly, but reevaluate proper jaw alignment anyways. When you wash, allow nipples to air dry. Also, tylenol wont hurt either of you when taken in the proper context. Nursing shields may help, and try to breastfeed on the other breast and manually express the milk on the affected breast until the blister goes away. Also, calling your family doctor WILL NOT hurt, hon. Maybe he/she can offer you some advice or if the pain is that bad, a pain killer could help. If this is getting in the way of feeding your baby, its an all around bad situation that probably warrants a call to the doctor! BEST OF LUCK! I have a little girl due ANYDAY now and i plan to breastfeed again, havent done it in 4 years since my son was an infant, and THANKS for the reminders of how complicated it can be! lol!!!!

Answer 3

It's probably a latch problem cause by teething. Be very careful when latching on, like you did in the begining.

I had this really bad too around 8 months, one nipple craked and bled. I only nursed on that side when it was extremely full, the rest of the time I only nursed on the other side.

Offering a frozen teething ring about 15 minutes before feeding (*lol* umm yeah like babies feed on a schedule) can help. Do not use numbing creams on the babies gums as this can make the latch even worse.

If you are really suffering try a nipple shield, though your baby may not take it:
http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/breastcare.html#nipple%20shields

You place these over the nipples and feed as normal. I used these in the begining. There is some concern that they can lower supply, but for the short term while you are healing, with well established nursing your will be fine.

You other option is pumping and bottle feeding/cup feeding. Which is also annoying and most babies won't take to.

Answer 4

Just use one breast and let the blistered one heal. I've been feeding on one side only for over a year now and it hasn't stopped my toddler blossoming into a large beautiful bouncy pile of cuteness! DS stopped taking milk off the left when he had an ear infection and then it either dried up or he was too nervous about feeding from from but he refused to suckle for more than 2 or 3 seconds so I gave up.

If he's biting then the second you feel his teeth chomping take him off the breast, put him on the floor and say "NO" firmly. After a few tries he should get the idea that biting = no more Mummy milk and will give up.

Answer 5

Buy Lansinoh breastfeeding salve. It is pure lanolin and the baby will not be hurt by swallowing some of it. There are many creams out there that simply don't work but this one is guaranteed and works fast. Also, if you are able to walk around and air-dry your nipples right before you apply the lanolin (using a hairdryer works great too) the healing will be quicker. Make sure your baby is latching on right, sometimes that can slip a little even though you've been nursing for a while.

Answer 6

Hmmm....you may want to try a nipple shield...its a flexible little piece of plastic that fits right over the nipple. Since your baby is older, it really shouldnt affect nursing at all (unless baby decides she doesnt like it!) but a protective layer of plastic between baby and your skin, temporarily, may help the blister heal. Other than that...all the usual routine, try a new position, vary the position, make sure latch is 100% correct, leave nipple to 'air dry' and expose to sunshine if possible. Some Lansinoh may feel good (if you are not allergic to wool)
Look on La Leche League website for info on 'nursing blisters' Good luck!

Answer 7

I had sore nipples when I was breastfeeding too. I bought some nipple covers which is like the end of a feeding bottle so there is no contact between the babie's mouth and the nipple. Once my nipples felt better I went back to doing it without the covers.

Answer 8

I have just finished breastfeeding my 22 month old because I found out last week I am pregnant :D I had the same problem as you a couple of times because my daughter wouldnt take the bottle, I think if you want to carry on feeding her you might have to just grin and bare it for a couple of days and it will start to getter better, If not maybe have a word with your health visitor. I tried lots of things and they didnt work, just took time. Well done for getting this far, I agree breast is best, you will be glad you carried on when you see how healthy your child is because of you :D

Answer 9

don't give up the breastfeeding just yet-- you may have a yeast infection on your nipple- get checked by your Dr. it is quite easy to fix--- you can take acidophilus (sold over the counter) and this will be in the breast milk- thus the baby gets it also- this is a natural bacteria found in the body and will not harm you or the baby-- sometimes if the baby has it real bad the DR. will recommend ginger violet(I think i spelled it right) it is a purple liquid that kills the bad bacteria in the baby's mouth- will not hurt you- but does stain--- go get checked - but do not stop feeding!!!

Answer 10

It sounds like your baby has gotten a bad latch and hurt your nipple because of it. Go easy on that side by using it second since your baby will nurse more vigorously on the first side. When using that side make sure that baby has a really good amount of breast tissue in their mouth to avoid more irritation to the nipple. If baby's upper lip is not flared out then once baby is latched on pull that upper lip out so that it is flared. Hang in there...good luck.