Sore nipples at 3mo

[*Ali*]

I never really suffered with sore nipples when I started BFing DS2 since he seemed to get his latch right from the get-go. With DS1 I had struggled with very sore, cracked and bleeding nipples for about 4-5wks so I was pleased this wasn't the case the second time around.
Just the last few days I have been getting quite raw and the ends of the nipples are sometimes a little bruised looking. I am thinking that it could be from DS2 falling asleep on the breast (just once a day or so when I'm out at play groups, my sister's house or we get out of sync with EASY and he feeds right before a nap) and carrying on sucking rather than suckling. Since this problem began I have been observing him and seeing that he doesn't take a big mouthful of the breast like I'm sure he used to.
He does use a dummy to go to sleep and I'm wondering if this might be encouraging him to suck the nipple wrongly? I'm loathe to wean it though since he goes to sleep so easily with it and his night sleep is good so I know it isn't affecting that (yet!).
Does anyone have any ideas on why this has started now and how I can help it? Maybe ideas for encouraging a nice big mouthful?
Thank you.

Ali

[amayzie]

My LO started to get more observent of his surroundings and would try to lood around a bit more at that age, or a bit more bobbing on and off... does your LO do a bit of this? If his latch is not great and you are a bit sensitive from the night feed/chomping then the repeated on and off might be having an impact. I remember getting a bit sore but it settled down after a while. I think i also was better at taking DS off once he was finished...

[Erin M]

I think you just have to keep forcing that big open mouth before he latches.  With James, I always had to open up my mouth wide to encourage him to do the same before latching -- for some reason, he was more difficult than the girls, he would keep sliding back into bad latching habits if I didn't force the good latch.  I also found that making sure my nipple was aimed towards the roof of his mouth really helped as well, it seemed to get us latched right.  Have you got some lanolin to help with the pain?  And like Katy said, has he hit that "distracted" phase yet where he goes to look at something and turns without letting go?  Ouch!

[*Ali*]

Thanks ladies, and sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
He isn't at all distracted yet so it's not that. I have that yet to come!
I will try the mouth open tip Erin and to ensure my nipple is pointing to the roof of his mouth.
It's just the left nipple that is still sore and split now. Shame since that is my most productive breast and was always both my boys' favourite.

[Tay]

I found with DS it had to do with him getting heavier and me not holding him high up enough (if that makes sense), I had to use the BF pillow again for a few weeks to get back to a proper position.
xx

[*Ali*]

Haha Tay, I am never without my feeding pillow! Well, I am when I'm out and about of course but at home and even at my sister's house (she has one too) I always use it. I've even started using a sofa throw cushion under the pillow at the head end to prop that bit up even more.
I have been trying to pay attention to what he does and he definitely falls off the nipple and just sucks the end as he falls asleep. I do try to avoid feeding to sleep but sometimes he doesn't nap when I want him to (30-45min naps I cannot extend or just refusing to nap when out) and so he ends up really tired when his next feed is due and so I can't stop him (or I need to let him as it's the only way I'll have to get him to sleep for a while). I am just trying to take him off as soon as he falls asleep now to avoid the non-nutritive sucking.
I think it is healing now and the split has sealed up again. It still hurts a LOT for the first minute or so but then it's kind of numb so it's OK. Hopefully it'll heal up now and be OK soon.
Thanks for your advice ladies.

[Tay]

Haha Tay, I am never without my feeding pillow! Well, I am when I'm out and about of course but at home and even at my sister's house (she has one too) I always use it. I've even started using a sofa throw cushion under the pillow at the head end to prop that bit up even more.

Clever girl!
Plenty of lansinoh

[Khalam's Mama]

My boys always like my most productive right breast and that gets sore sometimes but not the left. Not sure why. I found with K  as he got older and got more teeth I had to keep forcing a good latch as he got a bit lazy with it. It really helps to wait until they really open the mouth (and they do if you with hold long enough) and then really stuff it in as far as you can!

[gyorgyi]

Oh yeah! This LOs are really cleaver. They can latch on if they need, but if they fall asleep, they might use your breast as a dummy.
And in this case they suck it as a dummy and it's damaging your nipple.
My DD is a real booby addict as she doesn't like her dummy. 
I used silver kolloid gel to treat my sore nipples. It's a natural antibiotic and helps wound to heal. It cured my nipples in a day and I didn't have a problem ever since!

Good luck!

[*Ali*]

Thanks ladies.

It's definitely healing up since I stopped the sleepy sucking.