10 days old baby, cracked nipples, fussy when latching...help!

[Fiver]

Aww, *hugs* it is hard, but if she can get latched on properly now the damage should heal, possibly not as fast as one would like, but you'll get there.

Personally, I found the nipple shields to actually make it more painful to feed (strangely enough!)  I presume you've tried some different positions to take some of the pressure off the more sore bits?

[Erin M]

I assume you're doing all the usual -- lanolin, expressing a bit of milk to air dry on your nipples, giving them some air? 
Ouch, I hope they heal soon. 

[*Ali*]

Milk and air drying made a big difference for me. And lanolin when I couldn'tcair them.

[Marie-O]

Yes I'm doing all that. Alternating between All purpose nipple cream (to heal and keep infection away) and BM with air dry.
The lactation consultant suggested today to try doing "moisture healing" instead of "dry" healing. This means to put the nippe cream and then cover with plastic wrap to keep the moisture in. I'll try this for few days and see what happens...

[*Ali*]

Hope that works quickly for you.

[Fiver]

That could be a plan.  That said, from what I've read, the application of lanolin (lansinoh) or petroleum jelly (vaseline) promotes moist wound healing as they keep the nipple moist and supple in order for it to heal.  I can't say I've seen anything about covering with plastic wrap - surely that would give more of the effect of having had a plaster on it (and I guess you know the affect a damp plaster has on the skin underneath)

[Marie-O]

Hello girls! I'm in total desperation now since nothing seems to help 
I've tried moist healing as I was telling you about before but is not working either. I went to the doctor today and he says the only cream he can prescribe to speed up healing has steroids and can be harmful to baby.

My last desperate measure is to pump only and give the milk in a bottle while my nipples heal, but this might decrease my milk supply?? I was doing fine with the nipple shield but that was irritating more and not letting heal.
Am I doing the right thing?? will my milk supply go back to normal again?? do you think she will be able to re-latch after few days in a bottle??

I'm trying to keep a positive mind but this is getting ridiculously long 

Sorry just venting...you have already given me all your advises and support! Thanks for being there 

[*Ali*]

I do know young babies who have had a week or two away from mama and then gone back to nursing, I suppose there is always a risk though. Have you tried the dry healing?

[ENMS]

About your supply, the dr can prescribe a med, domperidone to help with supply if you end up with an issue. I needed to use it since my supply plummeted with M refusing to feed for over a week after clipping the TT and after starting it my supply came right up!

[Erin M]

My last desperate measure is to pump only and give the milk in a bottle while my nipples heal, but this might decrease my milk supply??

If the few days will give you the chance to heal a little bit, I'd do it -- long term, it might give you an overall longer breastfeeding relationship.  Is one side better than the other?  You could always feed off one and pump the other for a few days. 

[Marie-O]

Have you tried the dry healing?

Yes that was the first I tried and didn't work. I'm doing it all over again with more "air" time now.

the dr can prescribe a med, domperidone to help with supply if you end up with an issue

Yep already taking Domperidone since 2 weeks ago since my milk supply went down with the use of the nipple shield.
I guess when baby re-latches my milk supply will go up, I will continue Domperidone for a while.

Is one side better than the other?

Both are pretty bad but the left one is worse

It's day 2 and not seeing much improvement on the healing, but will give it a couple more days to see if a miracle happens.

Thanks for being here for me

[ENMS]

I guess when baby re-latches my milk supply will go up, I will continue Domperidone for a while

It really worked for us, M was not nursing for about a week and I was not pumping a lot during that period, once he started nursing again and I added pumping sessions I got my supply back. Hope it works the same for you

[*Ali*]

Maybe if you don't want to go without BFing too long you could pump off one side and feed off the other until that one side is healed and then switch and feed off the healed side and pump the other while that heals?

[becj86]

My last desperate measure is to pump only and give the milk in a bottle while my nipples heal, but this might decrease my milk supply?? I was doing fine with the nipple shield but that was irritating more and not letting heal.
Am I doing the right thing?? will my milk supply go back to normal again?? do you think she will be able to re-latch after few days in a bottle??

I did EP for several days in a row on and off (though I had a ridiculous oversupply from pumping in hospital to get my milk to come in after my c-section) - didn't seem to drop my supply and L went back on the breast pretty well with plenty of skin to skin once i was healed.

I tried feeding/pumping alternately but the damage was redone and more every time L latched until I EP'd and got to a point that I was almost completely healed before letting him latch again. Its worth a go though, if you want to.

[Erin M]

(((hugs)))) sweetie and lots of healing vibes!