Sore nipples at 8 months - Help!

[clh]

Hi, all--
Has anyone had an issue with extremely sore nipples after 8+ months of successful breastfeeding?  Mine haven't been this bad since that first month.  We're still going, but goodness!  The latching/getting started time is the worst.  The pain gets better as ds feeds, but it never goes away.  Same when I pump.  It's been this way a week or two.

I know of nothing I'm doing differently... no new soaps, detergents, etc.  The only thing I can think of is me possibly starting ovulating again.  I haven't gotten my period back yet, but maybe this is an indicator?  Any thoughts from you lovely ladies would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Samuel's mum]

Sorry I'm being called to dinner!
Yes, period returning could be it.
Have you also ruled out thrush?

I'm sure more useful posts than this will follow!

[clh]

Oooo...  I hadn't thought about thrush.  I *did* just start an antibiotic recently.  I haven't noticed any patches in DS's mouth, but I'll double check tonight.  I'll post back what I find.  Any other ideas?  Thanks!

[Lilah'sMommy]

I was going to post two possibilities: thrush and pregnancy.  But could be you've ovulated and your premenstrual, too.  Or, what happened to me, is I got a small sore on one nipple (probably from a bite from my sweet DD ) and that side hurt like the ens for about a week while it was healing.  But that would probably only happen on one side.

[clh]

Thanks, ladies!  No signs of thrush in DS...  no white patches in his mouth and no diaper rash.  Also no burning or shooting pains with me.  I did go get some acidopholous to try to help maintain the bacteria/yeast balance.   I started wearing nursing pads again yesterday, & that seemed to help some. 

I'm fairly certain I'm not pregnant (& not just because no period yet), although my eyes did go wide when you suggested that, Lilah'sMommy! All I really know to do is to keep nursing & watch for signs of what it could be.     If anybody has any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them.  Thanks again, ladies!

[Renee'sMum]

I am having same issue--my dd is 4.5 months.  We thought it was thrush at first, too, but that was ruled out. I have a small cut on the nipple that doesn't seem to be healing.  One dr told me to use  a warm compress then lanolin after feeding.  So far not healing (it has been just over a week).  Also I start feeding on side that isn't sore, so that when she does feed on the sore side she won't be as hungry and suck as hard.  Hopefully.  Going back to dr tomorrow, so might find out something new then.