I've been breastfeeding my almost 11 month old since he was born, and just the past two weeks, my nipples have become very red and irritated. They did start bleeding a little, too. It obviously hurts whenever my son latches on or pulls off, which he normally does about three or four times per side before he is done eating.
I did move to a new town and my son is teething (but not biting, if you know what I mean). I am currently using lanolin, but it's not really helping.
Thanks, everyone! I figured out that I had thrush, and I'm using a combination of Gentian violet, tea tree oil, and olive oil to really help things along. I'm also changing my eating habits slightly so I'll feel better faster. Thanks to your suggestions, I'm almost back to 100%!
i'll chime in and advocate for the soothies. They're WONDERFUL things. i cracked and bled after my baby was born and they helped soooo much.
I also had that problem with my dd, Aquafor helped to sooth the irritation and keep them moisturized. Good luck!
The only thing that gave me any relief were these gel soothies that you wear like pasties, they are pricey but oh so absolutely worth it, I found them at Toys R Us, I think they even carry them at walmart...I am sure you know but make sure he is latching on correctly, I had one hearty nurser, and then a nibbler...it really helps to have little distraction for the one nursing although I know that is not always possible = ) Hope they feel better soon I am so sorry I recall that pain rather vividly.
B.
Try La Leche League of Greater St. Louis for help - here's a link: http://www.lalecheleaguestlouis.org/. There are links on the left (one is for sore nipples). Kellymom (http://kellymom.com/) is another helpful resource with LOTS of info. In fact, LLL, lactation consultants, and doctors/pediatritions use Kellymom's information quite often.
IF it doesn't go away soon have it checked out, as it could be thrush, mastasis (sp?), or a maybe clogged duct.
Sounds like a yeast infection (thrush). You can try applying a very messy, staining liquid called Gentian Violet - and you might have to get a drug store or health food store to order it for you.
Or you can take Diflucan for a couple of weeks. And you could, if POSSIBLE...expose your nipples to direct sunlight. Go see an OB or lactation consultant. It can take a while to get rid of so start now!
I would get the Soothies. When I had my first daughter they gave me some at the pediatricians office, but now I know they carry them at Walgreens. I have looked at Babies r Us and other places, but Walgreens was the only place I could find them. They worked wonders and felt soooo good! I would think CVS or other drug stores might have them too. Hope they get better~that is no fun!
OOOUCH That is the worst part of nursing. I can feel the pain of them latching on when your sore like that just thinking about it, and it's been a few years since I nursed.
You may have thrush or some other type of infection. May need to see a doctor to get a perscription that is safe for baby (if it is thrush, baby may need meds too). My advice is to get used to not being modest... when you can let your breasts get air. With nursing pads and the moisture from the lanolin (which you could be allergic to that...does wool bother you?) they may just stay too damp. Give them air...let the girls breath...as often as you can. Also, don't let your baby "pop" off when he releases... If he does it say "no" and don't let him nurse for a little bit...he'll get the picture.
Good luck.
My first thought was thrush/yeast infection. Go see your dr, and if you have it you'll want to get your son checked out as well. You'll need to treat both of you until it's completely gone - otherwise you'll keep passing it back and forth to each other.
I had the same thing happen with my son when he was just over 11 months, but it was only on one side. I started using a nipple shield to nurse on that side, and of course lanolin all the time. It got better within just a couple days, which was good because my son didn't particularly care to use the shield. I think that nipple just needed a break!
Sounds to me like thrush. You should visit his ped or your obgyn, or even a lactation consultant. I am not sure when you are, but I know most cities have great ones available for free.
LaLeche is also quite amazing!
It sounds like it might be thrush. Does your son have a white covering on his tongue? You can get medication from your doctor. I used an over the counter product called Gentian Violet. It does stain the baby's mouth and your nipples for a bit, but it works and the stain goes away.
It could be thrush, as many have said, there doesn't need to be the typical white in the mouth. Also, has he started eating anything new that might be irritating your nipples? Are you still careful about positioning? Call a La Leche League leader and they can help you trouble shoot a bit...
K.
Is it possible you have some sort of yeast infection on your nipples? Have you been on antibiotics recently, or has your son? It's about the only thing coming to my mind at this moment!
This happened to me as well after nursing for about 10-11 months. I thought it was strange to have nipple tenderness/irritation after having nursed for 10 months. My baby did not bite, but he would slide off the nipple several times during a feeding, which he did not do when he was younger. After feedings I would wipe my nipples off with a warm wet cloth, dried well, then applied Lanolin (to keep them from cracking more), and I used Soothies. This is pretty much what other women have already shared, but I thought I'd respond because it sounds exactly like what we went through. Do make sure it's not yeast because that would need treatment, but it very well could be a difference in feeding habits with your baby, causing irritation. Hope this helps. Good Luck!
might be yeast. I got a yeast infection after taking an antibiotic for a sinus infection. I did not know you could get a yeast infection on nipples, but it's warm, wet, and there's a sugar source with the milk being there. See your doctor. They can prescribe nystatin cream, also, your baby will more than likely need to be treated too for thrush as you will pass it back and forth. there is a liquid form of nystatin. If you want a more natural solution there is something called gentian violet. Stains you and the baby's mouth, but it was the only thing that cleared the yeast for me, b.c the nystatin didn't work. email me if you have any other questions.
M.
Sounds like thrush. I would get gentian violet (Walgreen's pharmacy can order it for about $4) because it works fast. You can treat your nipples and the baby's mouth with it. Even if the baby has no white in his mouth, you need to treat him, too. The Nystatin, etc. that doctors will prescribe does not work well, and oral antifungals are hard on the liver. I would not give them to my children for something like this. Gentian violet will turn his mouth and your nipples purple, but it actually does not usually stain clothing. Just do it at night. You will feel better after the first application. You can also visit www.drjacknewman.com and read his Candida Protocol. He is the reigning bfing expert. His all purpose nipple ointment can be ordered from compounding pharmacies here in town like OBrian's or the one in the medical building at 4400 Broadway. They call it lactiplex. Good luck!
check his tongue for a yellow, thick, "coating" it could be yeast/thrush whatever you wanna call it. It can go back and forth between babe and mom
