Breastfeeding pain, not sure!!

[AmandaH87]

So here's my new problem. Last week I dealt with it already on the one side, and now it's starting on the other side. Last week I was having alot of sharp pain in my nipple when I was nursing, so I decided to peek around. What I discovered was a 'slit' in my nipple. It looked almost like someone had taken a knife and cut my nipple. My son hasn't bit me, so I know it's not that. So while I was concerned about this, I didn't nurse my DS on that side, I just pumped and in a few days it healed. Now yesterday I was starting to have the same pain in my other nipple, so I checked it out and lo and behold, it's starting there too. I don't know what it is!! There isn't any bleeding, although there is a tiny amount of blood on my nursing pad. DS is almost a year old, so it shouldn't be the cracked nipples and stuff from a newborn. I so enjoy nursing and I enjoy the bond, it just seems like I'm having one problem after another now. It's frustrating and making my want to give up!!

[madelsmama]

Have you checked his latch lately? I know he's well-established, but sometimes babies start getting sloppy as they grow older, especially when front teeth come in.

Get him to open his mouth really wide before latching.

[TiredMommy]

sometimes the drier weather can cause cracking even if your not a new nurser. i would try lansinoh and see if that helps

[TiredMommy]

oh, in the cold weather the skin between my toes cracks, i know it's not the same but it doesn't happen in the summer

[Nipple_nectar]

I agree that it could be his latch. Especially if he has some new teeth, he may be slightly biting as he adjusts for the new teeth.

Have you tried using Lansinoh lanolin for speedy healing?

[AmandaH87]

I have an update on my nipple issue. The second side is basically healed now...when it got really bad I just pumped on that side and fed DS on the other. Now that the other side is healed...it's starting again on the original side. I don't know what to do. I've tried nipple cream, but that doesn't help. I am pretty sure that his latch is good....I went back to using the nursing pillow about 2 months ago and his latch has gotten much better since than. We go for DS one year checkup next week(his birthday was this past Sunday!!) and I plan on asking my Dr. about it. It's very frustrating.

[whitnessforhim]

I know I use to be able to nurse DD in any position but now that she's mobile and able to squirm out of my lap we both seem to be only comfortable in the lying down postion. I also notice that in any other position her teeth rub against my breast by no real fault of her own...I guess its just the position and what she's comfortable with as far as how she nurses. So maybe the position does have a lot to do with it.

I hope you find out the answer soon and get this behind you!! Best of luck!

[blessedbythree]

I do think those teeth can change/affect latch. It can be painful to nurse my 13 month old every time she cuts a new tooth. Her teeth rub against my nipple and if she gets sleepy and her latch loosens she will start to grind them. She bites occasinally but really it's the rubbing that gets me. I often have to unlatch her and have her try again. She will only nurse while I sit in our glider so changing positions is tough to do.

I hope you can find some answers and your body heals quickly.