Breastfeeding and sore nipples?

Question

So it has been 3 weeks since my baby was born--we hit a growth spurt last week and she nursed almost 24/7...well, now i am so sore--it really isnt an engorgement sore, but the nipples are sore (last night, one looked swollen)
~~~I have only planned on breastfeeding for the first 2
months and then going to formula~~~
My nipples are so sore that i am dreading the next feeding. I fed her about 30 minutes ago and used a different position and it wasnt that bad...I seriously dread feeding on the other side though, it is more sore.
What can i do to help with the pain?

Do i put that lanolin on it? (my mom is allergic to that stuff~~how will i know if i am allergic too?)
I will have to go buy some so can i do this in the meantime--Vit E ?

Can i rub some Vit E on my nipples? I was thinking this would help to keep them from sticking to the breastpads or my bra (even when they arent leaking)

if i could afford formula--id be taking that route!!

i think it is yeast--it looks like my daughter has thrush--just called her dr...calling mine soon

Answer 1

Sudden pain like that... may be thrush, or a yeast infection that gets your nipples. Do they look red or shiny? Itchy-burning feeling? Like "ground glass" in your nipples when your baby nurses? If so you may have thrush, best treated with fresh air, exposure to sunlight (Through a window is OK), and a painting of Gentian Violet over the nipples & areola once or twice, available for around $3 at the pharmacy, and much more effective than "Nystatin" - which should be taken off the market it does more harm than good.


HOWEVER you may just be sore from the growth spurt.


I am not a big fan of lanolin, as the risk of allergic reaction is a good possibility (and you don't want to find out you're allergic by spreading it on your already sore na-nas.) You can test it on the inside of your wrist, if after 24-48 hours you haven't broken out, I would assume it safe to put on the nips. However I still don't use it, that's just me though.


You can take ibuprofen to ease the pain. It helps alot, and it reduces inflamation (swelling).


You can put Vit E caps on your nips, that will ease the pain as well, and soothe them.


As silly as it sounds, a chammomile tea bag soaked in very warm water would be a blessing to you. Regular tea will work too, and actually some women swear by that to "toughen up" the nipples (the Tannin from tea leaves was used to "tan" and cure leather way back when, so it has a similar effect on the bbs - to make them soft & supple without drying them out)


Also, if you are pretty sure you do not have thrush, leaving a little of the creamy thick hindmilk on your nips and letting it dry, will actually heal and restore the tender tissue.


Switching positions as much as possible will help too, as it alleviates the continuous pressure on your "hot spots". You may have to lay in bed for a few feedings, to get the upside-down one lol.


Good job on the bb's feeding... This too shall pass mama!

Answer 2

I was also sore the first week or so after my baby was born. The hosptial gave me some lanolin cream that might have helped, except that I didn't get into the habit of using it after every feeding. (I have used it for chapped lips and hands though. I figure if it's main purpose is to heal chapped skin, then why not? It doesn't absorb like lotion so I only use it on the backs of my hands during the day and on my lips and the rest of my hands at night.) Going braless andshirtless might have also helped, too. I figured if I'm going to be feeding every hour or two, what's the point?

I also agree with keeping with it. Not only is formula expensive (I just saw it advertised in a drug store circular for $22 a can), but breastfeeding is better. It took two months for us to reach good stride (every hour and a half to two hours during the day with each feeding lasting about an hour), but it's been worth it knowing I'm giving my daughter the best possible foods, especially since I eat whole, real foods and passing the goodness and yumminess on to my daughter.

Answer 3

Express some of your milk from the side that doesnt hurt aand put it on the nipples and areola of the sore side and also after feeding on the ok side and let them air dry. You have natural lanolin in your milk that will keep them supple and prevent infections and since its your own fluids, you wont be allergic. Plus you dont need to wash them and it will be sweet for the next feed.
Take some ibuprofen, tylenol before feedings (half hour before) and you'll be more comfortable but dont exceed 4 grams tylenol per day (bad for liver).
Change positions as you did is good so that the main pressure is in a new spot, Make sure you release the suction by putting your pinky between the gums when you want her off so she doesnt pull on your nipple and rip the skin.
Call the La Leche league in your area and they will help you with all sorts of breast feeding issues or call your dr too, especially if you devopment a fever, your breasts are red streaked and you feel sick. Good luck.

Answer 4

I wouldn't put Vit E on it, but if you do make sure to wash it off properly before feeding again.

LANSINOH cream is 100% pure lanolin and is fantastic for sore nipples. Just because your mum is allergic doesn't mean you will be, but try doing a test patch on the inside of your wrist or something to see what happens. If all is fine then go for it. You can also feed with lansinoh on the nipples as it is natural and won't harm the baby. It will also stop you sticking to the breast pads and bras.

Make sure that you're attachment is correct. Sometimes attachment can wane a little if bubs gets complacent so make sure she is latching properly. Try the underarm 'football' hold for feeding so she is facing the other direction as this can sometimes help.
Don't use soap on your nipples as this will dry them out. After a shower, blast them with the hair dryer so they don't stay moist. Also try walking around the house with your top off, airing your nipples out after a feed. Fresh air does wonders to heal things. Keeping them shoved in a bra won't help.

Usually it takes a few days for things like this to heal up and is usually always caused by poor attachment and feeding too often. Try lengthing her feeds with distraction (4 hourly is a good benchmark) and as a last resort you can try nipple shields but they can be a pain to wean the baby off and learn to breastfeed with. usually a lactation consultant or midwife can help you learn to feed with them but its not easy or longterm solution.

Usually you just have to wait it out. It can take up to 6 weeks for breastfeeding to become well established and it really is the best nutrition for your baby right now. Don't switch to formula just yet, keep trying. IT WILL GET BETTER! Trust me. I took 4 weeks to stop being sore with my first but was able to feed her till 7mths when I returned to work. I'm so glad I did. Formula is so expensive!!

best of luck and congrats on your little bundle of joy!

Answer 5

i hope you can persist with breastfeeding as it will get much better and round the 6-8 week mark, there shouldn't be any pain. Lanolin (or Lansinoh cream) is good for sore nipples. Just be careful with other creams as they can pass into baby's mouth so if it has anything chemical in it, it could be dangerous (i was told to not even use soap on my breasts while breastfeeding). you can also use a few drops of your milk, rub it into the nipples and allow it to air dry.
anyway, as i said, i hope you can continue to breastfeed, i remember the pain and other difficulties in the very early days, but was so glad i persisted with it, once i got the hang of it it was great and so easy.

Answer 6

I agree with what the others have written, but wanted to toss this out too. You may have a yeast infection. I got one early on when breastfeeding, and it hurt to the point that I cried every time he nursed and I dreaded nursing. Everyone I talked to said to tough it out (not knowing what it was), but it kept getting worse. Perhaps go to a lactation consultant... she is the one who finally diagnosed me. Her description was it felt like broken glass. It is very treatable, but will not get better on its own. Just wanted to share my experience... Hang in there, nursing is so worth it!

Answer 7

Thrush is an yeast type of infection. You also have the yeast infection on your nipples. You can you the liquid meds for your sons on your nipples as well. You should seek medical attention as well.

Answer 8

I have heard rubbing a bit of the milk into the nipple helps?