I think I have a bruised nipple. I'm nursing my 2nd baby. He's 2 months old and has a good latch. He is a champion eater. However, when he nurses on my right side it feels like I'm being stabbed with a needle through my nipple (OUCH!) for the first while. Its worst when he first latches and mostly subsides after he gets a good rhythm going. I don't think its his latch... I get the same pain (thought slightly less intense) when I pump on that side. I don't have any cracked, blistered or bleeding nipples and the left side is totally fine. My right side is my lower producer so I think he does have to suck and work a little harder on that side. I think that either he or my toddler managed to bruise me (an unintentional headbutt or a poorly place hand use to push off of me).
Any ideas on how to soothe it? It really hurts and I've very much like it to not hurt anymore.
just like every ailment, I googled bruises and herbs and here is one site that I found helpful: http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_reduce-bruising-herb...
I certainly hope it helps you.
I had this exact same pain on one side. I started by making sure that it got lots of air after nursing. Walking around with one boob hanging out wasn't ideal, but it helped! Also, check your son's mouth to make sure that he doesn't have thrush. Next, I switched from MotherLove Nipple Cream to MotherLove Diaper Cream and Thrush. It is natural and olive oil based.
My son didn't have thrush, but it seems that I must have had some sort of yeast infection because the pain got better and then disappeared. I still use it as my nipple cream though, and after a yeast infection on my son, it is his diaper cream too.
You might look into thrush, it may be that.
This may sound crazy but if you haved a clogged duct, I was taught to take some leaves from a cabbage and hold them to the breast in your bra for a few hours...it draws out the clog?! If that doesn't work (it worked for me on both my boys!) call a lactation specialist. If you see any red streaks, you may have an infection where you may want to see a doc. Also my friend struggled with thrush a lot, but I don't know those symptoms.
I have had both thrush and a clogged duct. It sounds more like thrush, as my clogged duct felt more like engorgement than needles (which is exactly what thrush felt like!). Check your baby's mouth for white vein-like residue. It kinda looks milk that didn't make it down. If your baby has it, then he may have it too. As far as I know, if it is thrush....off to the pediatrician you go for some really gummy stuff to put on the nipples, otherwise, you'll have some painfull feedings for a good while as the two of you pass it back and forth. GL! Congrats on an accomplished school year...I know EXACTLY how that feels too!
Dear R.,
Breasts, especially nursing breast are extremely sensitive to the slightest bump. One you may not even think was hard enough to do any damage. If he isn't latched properly (even if it seems as if he is) it can become extremely painful. Sharp needle-like pains.
Trying different positions to clear out a clogged duct & having him get a good latch will help. Also if you bumped it can cause pain. So phytolacca (purchase at whole foods) you can use to help & Belladonna also.
Taking Arnica for bruising can help tremendously also. YOu just want to make sure that you keep Mastitis at bay. Take care, G
I'm wondering if you have thrush. I had trouble with thrush with two of my babies - extremely painful! But it was hard to see any visible symptoms.
I'd recommend that you call your O.B. or lactation specialist. They can prescribe an ointment to take care of it. Good luck!
The symptoms you describe sound more like a clogged duct than a bruised nipple. Is there an area on that breast that is warmer to the touch than the rest? Is there a hard spot anywhere in that breast?
I've had a few clogged ducts in the past (one of which was nothing short of excruciating). Use a hot compress on that side, take some ibuprophen and massage that side to help bring the milk down before you latch your little one on. It will hurt for a while but don't stop nursing on that side or pumping.
The best way to get past it is to start nursing on that side first each time as it will be more likely to empty completely that way. It will clear in time, but should you notice any red streaks going through that breast go straight to the doctor's office as that could be a sign of infection.
Good luck!
Kim
It almost sounds like you have the beginning of mastitis (breast infection). That's exactly how mine felt in the beginning, and then mine got worse. I got fever and chills, so I had to go back to the MD for antibiotics. Definitely keep nursing, but watch for signs of an infection . . . or talk to your MD.
I had those same symptoms and it turned out to be a clogged duct, which i thought was strange because my right side also produces less BUT I used a hot tea bad on it (placed the tea bag directly on the nipple) and nursed/ pumped like crazy until the clog came out. It hurt at the time but as soon as the clog was out it was instant relief! Good Luck!
Did you have this pain in the beginning at all? The best thing I found was letting the nipple get lots of air and no moisture( that lanolin makes thing's worse). A warm teabag on the nipple and then warm hair dryer feels good!
People have mentioned trying different positions, but no one elaborated. The football or cross hold are good for controlling the latch on better or for draining different ducts. With the football hold, you hold the baby at your side with legs behind your back; make sure to have enough pillows to support the baby. The cross hold is holding the baby across your stomach but supporting his back with the arm opposite your breast.
