Hi K.,
My name is J. and I am a Lactation Consultant. It sounds like you have thrush - thrush is a yeast overgrowth and can come on very suddenly for some moms. It causes sore, burning, itchy nipples that crack and bleed because the tissue is so fragile from the overgrowth of yeast.
This is Not mastitis (a breast infection), nor it is baby being lazy, nor is it oversupply of milk. Vit E treatment is something that used to be done until it was realized that a baby nursing on a breast coated with Vit E can get an overdose of it and have complications. Lanolin does nothing for yeast.
Treatments for thrush include: Gentian Violet (purple liquid that works quite well for most), Miconozole cream (the vaginal yeast cream), Nystatin (usually pretty wimpy these days), and Diflucan (BIG guns for yeast, works well but you must take for 2-4 weeks).
Baby MUST be treated too as if you have it so does he.
Going into how to treat is a LONG letter - please feel free to call me at ###-###-#### so we can go over treatment options. Or, find a lactation consultant in your area who can help you. I know a gal who is close to you - e-mail or call me and I can give you her information if you like.
Hang in there - this can be overcome!
Warmly,
J. Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM
www.breastfeedingnetwork.net
____@____.com
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