Nipples Sore and Starting to Bleed.....

owie...I remember that. Do you have yeast? have you tried lasinoah (whatever that nipple cream is called)...it works wonders. Also coconut oil might be helpful and good for her and you. ((HUGS))

Rubb t- tree oil on them. They will heal right up. If you would like to more about healthier products just let me know.
You can visit my website at: www.AHomeCareer.com

Many Blessings,
C.

Could be from the pump if it's not exactly centered, maybe. My advice would be to call the local la leche leaders at ###-###-####. Good luck! M.

Hi M.,

I can see you have received many good responses. But, as a Lactation Consultant and a Breast Pump Professional... here is my 2 cents worth...

Sounds like a breastpump issue to me. #1 What are you pumping with? This could definately make a world of difference. ALSO important is the flange size (the part you put to your breast and over your nipples) It should fit over the nipple without the nipple itself touching ANY of the sides. If you are hitting the sides and rubbing back and forth that flange is going to cause some major soreness. It is also something that can happen with months of pumping, the nipples can enlarge, or swell. Does it get worse, the more or longer you pump?

Also - when I see moms who are getting the "hicky" effect. Sometimes it helps them to use a higher speed setting (not higher suction). That way the pump is not "holding and pulling" the nipple out a long time. It will suck and release faster.

You can also use the Lanolin Cream (Lansinoh or PureLan) BEFORE pumping. This will also help to reduce any friction that is there. Lanolin doesn't really have much for healing properties, just protecting. Motherlove Herbal makes an amazing nipple cream, so does Mother's Intuition/Tummy Honey (Nipple Nurture Butter). I would NOT use anything else on your nipples at all (i.e. soaps or lotions).

I do agree you're going to want to rule out Thrush. Check the baby's mouth for white patches that can't be easily removed. Your nipples may be red, itchy, burning, areola shiny, or shooting pains... do you have any of these? If you have Thrush you and baby both need to be treated. Baby needs a prescription from the Dr. and you can use over-the-counter Lotrimin (as directed), or Gentian Violet -- TEST IT ON YOUR/BABY'S SKIN FIRST--(only once a day, and be careful, it can be very strong and blister babies mouth or your nipples)

Let me know about the pump your using, I can help you find different size flanges, or a more appropriate pump.

Hope you feel better soon! Don't give up!
J. Bailey, CD, CBC
www.everymotherandchild.com

M., You should use tea bags on them I know it sounds really wierd but they really work also, you can use lanelin ( i dunno how to spell it) and they are both safe ways for you and baby!!!!!! If you can't find it at the store call your midwife and she will get you some guarenteed! It will take a little bit for the stuff to start working like everything but it is truly a life saver!
Love Ya Jac

I am a lactation consultant. If you did not have any problems at the beginning then you should not suddenly be having pain or cracking now. Either the suction on the pump is way too high or it is positioned incorrectly or you might have an infection. I am suspecting the latter. Have you or your baby been on antibiotics recently? How old is your baby and is she taking any solids yet? Recent antibiotic therapy can cause a yeast infection called thrush which can affect your nipples and cause them to be very painful and even crack and bleed. If your baby is takin solids and there is leftover food in her mouth when she goes to nurse that can irritate your nipples as well. One other thing to think about. Is she teething? Does she bite or "chew" your nipples while nursing? There are some great web sites you can go to for more help. www.breastfeedingonline.com, www.breastfeeding.com, www.askdrsears.com, just to name a few.

Aquaphor ointment is what you need. If you put it on your nipples after you pump or breastfeed with will help with the bleeding and soreness. I had the same problem when my daughter was born and I used Aquaphor religiously and it really helped. You can buy it at any store and it is by the diaper cream. I also use it a lot on my daughter if she has dry skin. It helps moisturize and keep moisture in to. Hope that helps.

Hi M.!

I know your pain. I went through cracking, bleeding, peeling and engorgement also.

Please try an ointment called "Lanisoh" or "Lanisol" (can't remember the spelling). It's sold at Longs Drugs in the baby ointment/care isle. It's 100% Lanolin- the oil from sheep (yup.. I said sheep! ehehhe) Anyway, it's 100% natural, incredibly soothing and you can leave it on even while the baby nurses. They don't mind the taste or the presense of it on your nipples. It truly was a god-send for me. try it. you won't be disappointed. It's a little expensive, but lasts forever.

L.

I agree with the lactation consultant on the flange. I had to buy different sized flanges for my pump(even different size for each breast), you can get them at target or babies r us. It made a world of difference when I pumped and my nipples stopped getting sore. Also to soothe your nipples you can buy smoothies. Its a gel pad that you put on your nipples and it worked wonders for me. Good luck

HI,
I used pure Lanolin... it works great. I would rub it on every day. Taking fish oils can help too.
Hope this helps.
T.

T. Sobel, Dipl.O.M.

Hello, you may want to turn the suction on your pump down alittle bit. Mine did the same thing. Also lanolin ointment. get it at walgreens, I loved that stuff. and its safe for baby

Hi M., it is because your pump cups are to small. I had the same prob. and i went to a breastfeeding store and got the right size after a lactation specialist told me that it was because mine were to big for the standard cups that come with the machines. Baby Mother and More on Gilbert and Southern is the best nursing store in Gilbert. Chuck is the owner and he has great women that help out (Lactation Consultants) They have these patches that you can were on your boobs that make them heal in 6 days from cracked and bleeding. Only $7.00 for the pair. They are sooo great. Good luck.

Go to La Leche League at
http://www.lllusa.org/groups.php and find a leader who is near you.

My doc gave me this lotion that actually helped within the first application. Go to the doc and tell them what is happening or you can call up your local er and tell them the problem and the nurse on shift can let you know what the cream is called

M.,
Ouch! Sorry you are going through this. It sounds like the flanges that you use to pump with (the part that you nippe goes into and that covers your breast when you pump), might be to small in diameter. I don't know what kind of pump you have, but the standard size that comes w/Medela pumps is a 24mm. They make bigger ones, and you can buy them at Bosom Buddies or online. They are super easy to switch out. I'd take your pump w/you to Bosom Buddies or a lactation specialist and let them see you pump. Then they can recommend a larger size flange for you.
You can also coat the parts of the flange that touch your breast w/lanolin before pumping. A lot of women swear by this, and it can help create a better seal.
I would also get yourself some hydrogels (also available at Bosom Buddies). These are soothing to sore nipples and also have a wound healing product in them. They are different than the "soothies" you buy at the store.
Also rubbing some expressed breastmilk around your nipples/areolas can help heal them and prevent infection. Sometimes taking plain tea bags, getting them moist and placing them on your nipples for a few minutes helps as well.
If your baby gets some of the blood from your milk, it's not a big deal.
Hope that helps :)
K. Pickering, RN, CLE

Hi M. - I had this with my second child. To relieve the pain immediately, purchase soothing gel packs from Babies R Us, Toys R Us or even WalMart/Target (I think) for about $10. I think Gerber makes some that work great. Then Gerber makes a "stick" that I use after every feeding to prevent this from happening. I have only found it @ the R Us' stores for about $6. It is called Breast Therapy. The lanolin I was using from the hospital gets hard and very hard to rub on sore nipples. For the things that look like hickeys, either your baby or the pump is not being latched on properly. Sometimes if I am not paying attention my baby will do that and it HURTS!! Keep your head up on nursing/pumping through this, I know it can be difficult. I have never used them, but I always get referred to LaLeche league when I have a problem nursing. Babycenter.com also has a great board with a FAQ section at the beginning that was a huge help to me. I hope I have helped you in some way. Good luck!

Hi M.,

Since this was not a problem when you started and then it became a problem you might want to talk to your doctor about a possible thrush infection on your nipples.

My son had thrush in his mouth (This is a minor yeast infection) and it was passed to me and made breastfeeding, which had been going well, to become VERY painful. The treatment for both you and the baby is easy and quick.

It sounds like you do not have the right size for the part of the pump that latches to your nipple (I forgot what you call the cone-shaped part) You may want to consult a lactation specialist-- they can recommend the correct size--probably larger.

pumping shouldn't hurt at this stage in the game.
i think the problem may be your pump.
i agree with everybody on the products listed.

i had bleeding when i pumped with my son... usually i was dehydrated or overtired when it happened.

not sure which pump you're using, but the medela symphony has a stimulation cycle that made all the difference in pumping when i had bleeding/sore nipples.
you can rent one at banner dessert lactation center - ramona is an angel and all the lactation nurses there are fantastic.

try and pump on a regular schedule - at the same time every day.
try visualizing while you nurse - thinking of flowing streams... i once read that a mom visualized her as the source of a river that flowed into an ocean while she pumped and got more that way... it helps me relax to close my eyes and not think through any problems but to choose something to meditate on, listen to soothing music.
if you're in the work bathroom - maybe take something bathroomey from home to focus on while you're in there - not just gross work bathroom.
if it's your office, maybe pictures of your baby or a screensaver of flowers or ocean scenes. maybe some potpourri or a candle if there's not a fire code.
oh - and be sure your shoulders are back and relaxed - you could even loosen them by stretching and doing windmills with them before you start.
these things really do make a difference in how hard it is for your milk to let down... thus making it easier on your breasts and your pump to get milk out.
a warm compress (a damp rag warmed in the microwave - careful not to burn yourself) and massage helps before you start.

definitely rule out thrush as soon as possible.
gentian violet is a flower essence that's supposed to help ton with thrush and is totally organic and your baby can nurse while using it - in her mouth and on your breasts... but i haven't been able to find it anywhere.
an herbalist would know.

best of luck and congratulations on a healthy happy baby and your sheer determination to make it this far.
pumping at work is a big job - we're all proud of you. :)
s

I agree with the lady who told you about the Gerber breast therapy. It is the best! Very easy to use after pumping or feeding. This should help the soreness. I also have the hospital grade pump. Although it was expensive it was worth the money, because I have used it with all three of my girls so that I could go back to work. I would think about investing in one especially if you plan to have more children. Good luck! I know how hard it is to nurse while planning to go back to work. -A.

Hi M., my name is E. and i work at a maternity store in Boulder called becoming mothers. I have had a few women in the past who have had this issue when they pump. Most of the time it means that the breast shields that you are using are too small, and you might want to go up a size. The size of the shield has to do with the size of your nipple. Also the owener of the store has been a lactation consultant and a nurse for a very long time and might be able to help you out more. I hope that this info will help you, and if there is anyway we can help you let us know. E.

I had similar problems when I was breastfeeding both of my kids. I read about a product called Lansinoh Soothe & Heal balm that helped. I found it at walmart in the baby section (by the diapers, formula, etc...); it's in a silver tube. You only put on a little - it's very thick. It helps the skin heal and it's safe for breastfeeding. You just put on a little bit after feeding and in between so that the skin can start to feel better. It's a natural product (no chemicals). I don't know where else they may sell it, you might want to call a drug store if you can't find it at walmart. You might also want to make sure that your baby is latching on correctly and that you aren't pumping too hard. I hope this helps. There's also a website: lansinoh.com

I have never pumped, so I don't know if that would cause the soreness, but it might be in how she is latching on. I know that when my daughter has a "lazy latch" I tend to get sore. You can try lanolin on your nipples or Whole Foods sells a wonderful product called "Nipple Cream" from a company called Motherlove. It does not contain lanolin, but is made from olive oil, marshmallow root, calendula, shea butter and beeswax. It is all organic and safe for ingestion. I don't know what I would do without it! You could also try hand expressing, but that can be difficult and much more time consuming than pumping. Good luck!

Lanisohl Cream works wonders & its safe for the baby to digest so u dont have to worry about trying to rub clean your sore nipples. I breast fed both my children till they were 10 months and went through that off and on. The beginning was the worst, just double check how you have the pump situated and how your baby is feeding. It could just be bad positioning. But definately try the lanisohl cream.

This is 100% due to improper positioning. Either nursing or using the pump or both. If you can correct this you should see an improvement in pain levels within a few days. The key is getting the most ammount of airola(brown part) in her mouth as you can. With the pump it could be due to the wrong size of the part that goes over the nipple (both too big or too small can cause problems). I don't think blood in the milk is harmful for the baby, although you may see it in her diaper. And I have seen babies throw up from blood in the milk. I recommend seeing a lactation specialist for input on these two subtle adjustments-size of pump cone and how much airola you are getting in her mouth. Good luck! You can do it! Keep up the good work on your breastfeeding!
S. F.

Hi M.,
I would think it may be due to the suction turned up to high or a position problem. I would speak with your doctor or a lactation consultant, they should be able to determine what is going on and why. In the mean time, they make these great things called "soothies" they are a gel-like breast pad, and you apply them directly on the nipples. The hospital gave me mine but I think you can get them at either a toys r us or babies r us. They are about the same size as a breast pad but if you cut them into 4s you won't use as many, you can use a breast pad with it also but make sure the soothie is directly on the nipple, you can also put them in the fridge to make them cooler. They work great and really do soothe... also use some lanoline... works like a charm! All depends on the brand you like, but that will definatly help with the sorness and cracks as well. Hope you get some good advice! Take care and good luck!

Good for pumping at work, we need more moms like you!!
If the nipple looks like a blister, try to open it up, so milk does not get backed up and cause breast pain. If you have a hospital grade pump turn it down on the lowest effecient setting. Does it hurt to nurse? Check your latch and make sure she is fully on the breast, and not causing the pain. Also see if there is any white patches, that could be thrush.
As for the blood in the milk, it will not hurt her at all, mabey spit up a little more. You could also try hand expressing, once you get the nack, it can be quite quick. Maybe even alternate pumping and hand expression. This will give the nipples a break, but you won't take to much time, since you are at work. Call La Leche Legue for more help, they are great. Goodluck, stick with it and give that baby the best stuff on earth!

I would suggest getting in touch with a lactation consultation. Banner Desert Hospital has a lactation center (number is 480-512-MILK) and they'll answer your questions for free.

Firstly, for your nipples, Lansinoh worked absolute miricles for me. I would rub alittle on each nipple after EVERY feeding, and even when they got better I kept using it. Also, blood in the milk, while not nice, won't hurt your baby, so if she's been getting some and you're worried, don't be.
One reason for the soreness could be the pumping. I always found pumping to be far more strenuous on my nipples than nursing ever was. However, in some cases it can't be avoided (esp. where your working) so possibly shell out some bucks and get a really nice pump. My friend purchased a really nice one for around $100, and I tried it a few times, and compared to mine, it really was nicer.
Other than that, just Lansinoh up, warm packs and air dry your nipples for some relief and good on you for enduring to nurse even when its not fun for you. We Moms are great. ^.^

sounds like a latching problem. Try to be sure she gets as much as the areola as you can. Also use some breast cream often even if you don't think you need it. I never had bleeing nipples but I can relate to them being cracked and sore.

You didn't mention if you are feeding straight from the breast or just pumping. My guess would be that you have the suction set too high on the pump. I know it probably hurts now when you pump, but did it hurt from the beginning? Are you using lanolin or some kind of salve inbetween feeding/pumping? I think that most of us had cracked or bleeding nipples after a week or less of nursing. Are there any lactation consultants in your area? Check your local hospital, they often offer this service for free. This will not only provide you with specific, personalized information, but will help in having someone to talk to face to face about this.

Blessings,
K.