Hi,

I am a regular visitor of this site though I have never posted any message. But today I need your help for the problem mentioned below.

I delivered a baby boy on Nov 10. It was a normal delivery and this is my second baby.

From the second day I developed sore nipples which was very painful. I tried all possible ways to get it corrected- chaning the feeding position, applying coconut oil, changing the bra size, applying breast milk, air drying the nipples etc. Nothing helped. THen my gynac prescribed Nip care cream and the problem got solved to a great extent but not fully. 4 days back, seems like my baby had colic problem and during night he repeatedly sucked both my breasts for almost 3 hrs. Was just not ready to let go. After that, I developed cracked nipples (there are 4 cracks on one and 2 cracks on the other nipple) Now this nip care cream is also not helping. I find it very painful to feed him. Just the thought of feeding him makes me cry. If I express milk and give him, he is not satisfied. Moreover I feel that if I express milk and feed him, he will forget to suckle leading to more problem in future. I feel very helpless and just keep crying.

During my earlier pregnancy also, I had this problem but it got corrected automatically in a weeks time. But this time it is more than 3 weeks and the problem is getting only worse. I feel that my baby is suffering because of this.

If anyone had similar problem, please help. I need some immediate relief. Find difficult to bear the pain even for one more day.

I just hope that I get some sort of instant relief from this as this pain is spoiling my relationship with my daughter and husband who feels that I have become arrogant after delivery. But believe me, I am totally helpless.

Someone please help.
NN replied. You should go back to your gynac and tell her what happened and then she will tell you what you can do to avoid the problem and the pain by prescribing you some different ointment or cream or tablets to avoid it from happening again. Lisa replied. Hi Lata,
Did you find the reason that why do you get cracked nipples because by forming such it would be problematic for many people also. Mary replied. Hi Lata,
Why do you feel such cracked nipples and had you found the reason behind that because you are bearing lot of pain and no medicine is also working to resolve the problem. Lata replied. Hi lata,
What would be the reason for the nipples to be cracked had you found the reason behind that.I think you can use any creams which would give some permanent solution. Amity replied. Hi Lata,
I think you will have high pain.It is so sensible part and you have to solve the problem as early as possible because it is the only way to feed your baby for milk. Jerry replied. Hi Lata,
It is really hurting for you.But can state the reason that on what basis does this happen.It is due to any hormonal problem or any other reason.It would be helpful for all people. Madhu replied. Hi Lata,
So can you say what treatment you had taken also and it will really helpful for all the people who are facing it also and they will get some solution for your problem also. Mrunali replied. Hi Lata,
I can understand your problem but the thing is you need to consult to the doctor and solve the issue then only your problem will come to an end also and then what had happened also so then it would be better for others. Ria replied. HEY
This is a very common problem since breasts are very sensitive. You need to consult to the doctor only then you will get some solution to your problem sruthi replied. its a common thing so you need not worry.your breasts will be very sensitive.no need to fear your doctor will be at your rescue. Kaira replied. Hello Lata,
You need to consult to the doctor only then you will get some solution to your problem and you will be happy for that solution also i wish you would consult to the doctor and solve the problem which you are facing also. Munni replied. Hello Lata G,
By reading the post only it can be understand how problem it is for you.You need to consult the doctor who will solve your issue and it will make less for your problem.Please use some medicines to solve the problem. sowdha replied. Hi lata,
I know how you must be crying, I had the same problem. Try nipple sheild, it works out fine. Mother care product was good. It worked for me.
all the best. Hetal replied. keep him colic free, gas free.. and he will be easier to manage,,since you are already second timer,,it wont be required much to tell you about steps of soothing babyy...just massage him,,once the feeding is done, avoid latching unnecsry,,its not required,i understand he cries for it,,but you have to understand that if the crack of the nipples tears off further,,it will not only be prove unheathy for you child but if you continue and if bleeding starts you will have to stop breastfeeding and start expressng milk nd thn offer it to your baby,,until you recover compltly,,or it might happen that in order to stop bleeding or so,,if it happens, your dr might tell you to give a break to breastfedding,,which means,,its going to affect your milk supply...
so stop latching him unnecesarly,,even if he asks,,once the feeds are done,,try to soothe him with massages,rock him,,get a vibration pappasan or rocker,,to soothe him,,avoid swing rightnow...
the other things you can do to heal the nipples is :
1.after feeds, apply your breastmilk, and let it dry,,at that time dont wear the bra pad,,let it come in contact with air for almost 15-20mins..
2. after feeds, put a cold cabbage leaf for instant relief,,or while feeding the baby on one side,,put the leaf on other side,,it will give you relief and repeat it in all bf sessions.
3.try to have a habit of taking a break for burping baby after every 5-10mins of latching,,in that way you will get relief,,in that break,put the cold cabbage lead,,it will soothe you,,also there are lanolin breast cold pads available,,they give instant relief,,,and likewise continue breastfeeding.
4.check the position of baby while latching,,sometimes even though we dont notice,,babies adjust to thr comfortng position in order to just make a room to themselves,,which often disturbs thr breastfeedng and in that often they tend to suck harder,,so try to change position in every feed,,figure out whats more comfotable to you and your baby..
5.if the area is chapped/broken at the tip of the nipple,,its possble that rough skin is rubbng the baby mouth and its irritating him,,so he would suck harder to finish off his feeds early..after all bf session,,make it a point to apply bm and let it air dry for 15-20mins,,dont wear ne pads or bra at that time,,let it be free..
6.if the cracks are near to the base of the nipples,,this is sign that your baby is latching to nipple itself,,which means improper latching,,break the suction,,and latch again.
7.even though the cracking is on both side,make sure to empty both the breast,,taking more breaks inbetween breastfeedng session,,to avoid ne other agony or problems that might occur if you dont latch your baby on painful side at all.also will disturb your supply in long run.
8.change nursing pad frequently esp after every feed,,it will help prevent ne further infections and will also help to recover better,,go for lanolin pads they are very soothng.or go for 100% cotton pads,,with no liners,,just plain cloth.
9.wear 100% cotton gowns or feedng clothes,,this will allow enough air and it will help the recovery.
10.avoid ne cream or ne such irritants,,,even if its lanolin,,apply it only when you no more can bear the pain,,otherrwise avoid.apply the nonolin that is of USP Modified Lanolin(medical grade),,which is best..this ultrapure grade of lanolin is also sold as lansinoh for breastfeeding mothers and purelan...
But, breastmilk serves a perfect lubricating agent to heal and soothe cracked nipples.opt for short nursing time more frequently thn lengthy session. pat dry the nipples with clean sterilzd cloth after nursng and thn apply bm and let it dry.
11.wear wide breast shells over your nipples between nursings,,these minimize discomfort from crack and open wounds,,and will accelerate the healing process,if leavin your nipples air dry is uncomfortable to you.

finally,,if your nipple pain is so severe that you can not tolerate it further or cracking goes worst,or let me say inner skin is visible,,its not a safe for baby to latch on such open nipple which means,,give breastfeeding a break,,get yourself a hospital grade electric breast pump,express milk and offer it to your baby in a wide neck bottle,,in US, dr brown serves the purpose and offers colic free flow.
also check for ne blood in breastmilk,,so avoid or throw off that milk whenever blood is milk is seen,,
if at all you decide to pump to interrupt bf and allow your nipple to hear,,plan to pump your breasts every time your baby needs to be fed,,at this age it should be around 8-10times in 24hours,,excess milk can be frozen,,this will not only maintain your milk supply but will also allow your nipples to heal at speedier rate..avoid ice packs directly on nipples they suck away natural moisture and makes nipples rough in longer run...
finally, if everything works out wel,,,check on your milk supply,,sometimes slow milk supply due to postnatal depression might have caused baby to suck harder and in that mother does not notice,,keep an eye on his wght on weekly and you will know it.

i was in same situation but the only diff was i was injured badly with one nipple only,,it was bleeding and i had to rush to dr to get it dressd...it depnds alot on baby hard palate as well,,,i had to take a break for 15days and express milk in that time,,i also bought the formula with fear in my mind that in case my milk goes off with pumping,,i might need a replacement in middle of night,,,,,but gods grace i didnt have to use it...and finally i relatch the baby once i recovered,,,i found that practical thn keep bearing the pain and lettng your baby cry or suffer more...yeah the relatching part was a challenge but i wanted to relatch,,so i didnt give up !! also by then my baby was above 1.5months by the time i recoverd,,so it was ok to keep enough patience in latching,,and babies are not sensitive to handle when it comes to hunger like they are in 1st month.
also after 1.5months babies are just stubborn to deal with,,coz no matter how good wide neck bottle or nipple you use,,they will not like to leave it...
but in crux i can only say that if a mother wants and decides,,no baby is stubbborn enough to win her !!

a very good luck to you and hope this helps you.