Nursing troubles...help please?

Question

Im strictly breastfeeding my 1 month old son. Up until now, things have seemed to be great, besides only being able to really produce out of one breast. I had been to many lactation appointments, and I had the nursing holds down pat, everything seemed to be going great...until this week. My nipple has a deep red ring right where the nipple meets with the areola (which I was told was latch on problems, but he has never had a problem with latch on, and I make sure he's latched on right each time). It stings while he's feeding really bad, makes my toes curl every time. It just keeps getting worse, as I only have the one breast to work with, and he's eating every hour. This is very painful and it doesnt have enough time to get better, as I'm basically constantly feeding. What can I do? Should I be substituting with some formula every so often? Or what? I'm religiously using purelan cream on my nipples...I've tried hot and cold compresses, which are soothing at the time,

but they do nothing in the long run. I've tried expressing breast milk, letting them air dry...just seems that nothing is working. My nipple is also double as big as the other one, and very red. What could this be, and how can I fix it? My doctors appointment isnt until Christmas Eve, so I have a while to deal with the pain and its just getting horrendous. Any suggestions would be appreciated...thank you so much.

Answer 1

I would try and switch breasts, I know you said that you only produce well from one, but you can build your supply up for the other. Try feeding him strictly from the other breast for a few feedings, to give your other nipple a break. Yeah, he'll probably be wanting to eat constantly, but the more he eats, the more milk you'll make... I would try that before substituting with formula. BUT I'm not a professional, so maybe call a lactation consultant before hand and ask if that would be okay, I don't want to starve the little feller either. Good Luck to ya!

Answer 2

Lansinoh . . . it's a breast ointment that worked best for me. It just sounds like your nipple is raw and irritated. More than likely because you constantly feed off of one breast. Your baby is obviously not getting enough milk each feeding because he is eating every hour. He should be able to go at least two by now. You might want to try pumping if you can control the speed) so you can control the amount of suction. Since you are having difficulty producing milk I would not encourage formula feeding.

Be patient (I know easier said than done) Bare with the pain. . . I promise, your son is worth it!

Answer 3

You might have a blocked milk duct.. Keep using the /hotcold compress and maybe massage your breasts in the shower to stimulate milk flow.. Also if your nipples are cracked/bleeding apply a lanolin based cream to help with that.. Keep trying to bf on that side OR pump if that's a bit more comfortable.... I would make an appt. if the pain persists there is medicine that will help and I think you can take tylenol until then... I wouldn't unless you have to switch to formula.. I bf both my children w/o any formula for the first year. .So, if you can hold out..... good luck

Answer 4

You might have Mastitis, or it could be just because you're only producing from one breast, so it's not getting a break.
Go straight to your doc, make sure it's not infected, and you may have to go to formula.
I had to formula feed with my 2nd, because for some strange reason I had real bad pain with her even though my other kids were fine, and it didn't do her any harm at all. Don't put yourself through too much, get it checked out anyway. good luck i hope you feel better soon.