Cracked/sore Nipples

My daughter used a nipple shield made by Medula that helps baby to latch and helped her with the discomfort. Also Medula makes a gel pad that you can wear on your nipples when you are not nursing to help with the pain.

I've had this with both kids. It's a latching problem. First, you can use the hospital lactation consultants, and the insurance pays for it, so I highly recommend it. They can help ease your discomfort by finding the exact problem before you dry up. I wouldn't use the pump. Instead, try a different position with the baby and make sure the baby has the entire nipple and most of the areola in the mouth. The biggest problem my two had was sucking that bottom lip in, so once latched on, make sure the bottom lip is not sucked in (should look like fish lips with top going up and bottom going down if that makes sense). If the bottom lip is sucked in, just pull his chin down a little with your thumb. You'll probably even hear a break in the suction when the lip turns out. Also, use lanolin after each feeding. It helps with the irritation and is safe for baby at next feeding.

Good luck to you, but I really recommend talking with a lactation consultant. If you delivered at Baylor, Diana is amazing. She worked with me just a couple of weeks ago and got everything fixed for me!

I had this same problem. Even had some bleeding / mastitis with baby number 4. The doctor had me sure to nurse on the worse off breast first. (i hated this..so painful). i remember trying everything....cooling breast rings (motherhood), lansinoh cream (purple tube).

i can tell you....don't stop nursing. it was very hard for me not too b/c of the pain so don't get discouraged.

tamara

As others noted, the baby is not latching on properly. I had that with my first child and I know it's awful, but hang in there and PLEASE contact a La Leche League leader or lactation consultant today! They can watch how you're getting the baby on the breast and tell you what you are doing wrong. The problem I had was that my son would not open his mouth widely enough, so I would have to try several times. Babies are very smart and they will learn. My son seemed to know what "open wide" meant was he was 8 weeks old.

It could be the latch, or it could be the baby's position. Make sure that the baby is facing you fully; sometimes we don't realize that their face is facing us, but their body is not positioned correctly.
I agree with others to contact a La Leche League leader, which you can find online, or contact a lactation consultant. Linda Worzer is a great one, she's located in Richardson, but does phone consultations as well. Her website is www.naturalbeginningsonline.com
GOod luck!

H.,
I have NOT read the other requests so I apologize if I am repeating something. SOOTHIES!!! They are awesome. Yes, I am sure the latch and all that could improve, but I even consulted two lactation nurses on my second child and still had this happen. The SOOTHIES healed my body and I did not have issues afterwards...not sure why, but with both babies I had to use them once and then was good to go. Walgreens sells them I know. They are not cheap (around 10 dollars) but I only need one box. Read the box and see if you use the same one several times or if there are several and use them once....I used both and both worked. These saved me!!!

Nipple shields!!!!!!!!!!!! First baby. I wanted to scream everytime I breastfed. Went to his pediatrician and consultant gave me these nipple sheilds. I used them for 3 months! It save me from having to stop feeding my baby and going to formula. It was the best "gift" ever. You can find them at Babys R Us. Not expensive at all and so worth it. May it all go well with you and your new baby.