This never happened to me, but my friend had a baby 6 days ago and she told me she is bleeding profusely on her nipples whenever she pumps and/or feeds. She is using lanolin salve and it's not helping. What else can she do?
Thanks so much.
she should express some milk and put it on her nipples and then let it air dry. Put her nipples to the wind as it were. :)
Your friend needs to work with a lactation consultant or a veteran mom with La Leche League. She should not be bleeding while she breastfeeds. Sore nipples are common, but painful, bleeding nipples is a sign of improper latching. If the baby is not latched on correctly, it will traumatize the skin on her nipples and as soon as she pumps, the action of the pump will make them bleed again. The lanolin helps soothe the nipples, but proper latching is the most important key to avoiding trauma to the nipples; such as cracking and bleeding.
I wish her the best!
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The same thing happened to me when my son was born. I went to my OB and she gave me a prescription for a cream (it was a concoction that I had to go to a special pharmacy to mix up). But it worked miracles!!! Have her check with her dr. Good luck! It does get better... I went from bleeding nipples to still breastfeeding 2.5 yrs later.
I had the same problem and had to use a nipple sheild for a bit until they healed up. I got it from the lactation consultant. It worked great for allowing my nipples to heal.
That happened to me and it eventually quit happening. I used the lanolin salve generously. I think it stopped bleeding after a few weeks. I can't remember if I did anything else besides the lanolin. Don't know if this helps but at least she can know someone else has been through it!
you've probably gotten a bunch of answers already, but I also remember this very well. it was horribly painful, and i knew that if we didn't solve the problem i would have to stop breastfeeding and lose my milk. My son had a bad latch. After a week, when my nipples started bleeding, i sent my husband to the grocery store to buy some formula and a bottle. I spent the next two days pumping and putting lanolin and breast pads on. Within 2 days my nipples had recovered enough to face nursing again. And the added bonus was that the bottle we used had a very wide mouth and nipple, so it kind of forced my son to open his mouth in order to suck. After he drank from the bottle for 2 days, it really seemed to help him latch and we had a good time nursing after that. He is still nursing, and he is very fond of it! He's 9 months old now.
Good luck!
P.S. I did see a lactation specialist with my first son b/c I had inverted nipples, and it was very informative. I would recommend it, But also, please tell your friend not to be afraid to offer a bottle if she needs to.
It didn't hurt my son at all, in fact, made it better to breastfeed for me
It sounds like the baby isn't latching on correctly. She should see a lactation consultant asap and they can help her get the baby properly positioned. Hope it improves for her soon!
She really really needs to call a lactation consultant. This sounds like a latch problem more than anything. My nipples cracked a little, but never like that. The consultant can help her with getting a proper latch on. Another thing to try is a nipple shield. Medela brand has one and they sell it at Target in a few different sizes. I used one with my son to help with latch issues, but I would be careful using one for too long. Maybe just long enough to let them heal. My son didn't want to give it up because it is easier than having to do a real latch on the nipple, and breaking him of the shield was very difficult. They can make your milk decrease if you use them for too long, or cause clogged ducts and such. I was lucky in that I overproduced, but if you have a smaller milk supply it can cause problems. She can also try pumping only until they heal, but since the baby is only 6 days old, this can lower her milk supply also, and cause nipple confusion. So really my best advice is to get a lactation consultant's help to get a proper latch. It will only get worse otherwise. Good luck to your friend!
Oh I remember this so well and my son is 3 1/2.... Tell her to continue to use the Lanolin (I really recomend the Madela brand it is much smoother) also tell her to apply a thick layer to the pad so it doesn't stick to her skin, have her call a Lactaion Consultant ASAP, they will be able to help her with latching problems which could also be part of the problem. One thing they told me was to make sure that I didn't pull him off, but that I broke the seal by sticking my pinky finger in between my breast and his mouth. Assure her that it gets better, becuause it does she just has to get throught the inital ouch part of it. The other ladies also had great suggestions.. hope it will help her out!!
Tell her to call the lactation consultant at the hospital and get in to see them. There are lots of things to do for sore nipples to treat them, but the best thing to do is to prevent them and usually they can teach a different way to hold the baby or one of the devices listed below. They are a great resource for new nursing moms and usually there is not a charge for advice.
Try the lanolin cream to, but the lactation nurse can also give her some aquacell pads that go into the fridge or freezer that will give her instant relief.
Good luck to her.
also tell her that when she showers or bathes, do NOT use soap on it.... it will just dry it out more and cause more cracking. Just rinse the nipples with water... and don't rub it. Just let the water flow over it.
Try asking her Doctor as well.
It is her nipples getting toughened.... which when breastfeeding for the first time, can happen. That happened to me with my 1st child. I didn't bleed per say, but gosh my nipples got raw like. But the lanolin did help me. It takes time. And yes it can hurt.
And yes, check the latch on the baby. Check with a lactation specialist.
All the best,
Susan
I second all the responses that suggest she contact a lactation consultant or La Leche League leader for support with her latch. With my first born, I had cracked and bleeding nipples and found relief only after I sought out support from experienced moms. The salve will help relieve pain, air will help as well.
