Babble

So this is my first time breastfeeding and I've managed to get two fairly severely cracked nipples. My midwife and my lactation consultant both say the baby is latching properly and they'll just have to heal. Of course, nursing is painful (despite what the brochures say about how it shouldn't be). Does anyone have any experience with how long these cracked nipples will take to heal (we're talking two or three layers of skin here). Or has anyone worked through a similar problem and come out OK? 

Hi Erin

I went through cracked nipples the 1st week after my 2nd son was born (although he was not latching correctly!) My recollection was a good 7-10 days to heal. I actually ended up using a silicone nipple shield off and on because the latch was so painful.

Ask your doc/midwife about "Triple Nipple Cream"- this was a god send- it helped with the pain, healing, and was antibiotic. I got mine a hint late because I ended up with mastitis (you definately want to prevent that- its hell!)

good luck- and hang in there. You will heal!!

They do heal, it does get better. Do not listen to the lactation consultant if they tell you to keep nursing off of a badly cracked nipple. If it is bad on both sides, you have no choice...but if only one side is bad, you may want to give that side a break and just pump to keep from getting engorged. But, here is the best advice you will get. Go to your local drug store and buy, Soothies. They are glycerin pads. They really work and you don't have to wash your breasts every time you want to nurse. They are expensive (about $12 a pair, and they only last between 2-5 days...until they get too saturated). It is still a cheaper and better alternative to formula.

Try to keep going. I know you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it is there. I thought the pain was much worse than I ever imagined. Now I am nursing a 22-month-old and struggling with weaning.

You can do this. It is worth it.

When I started nursing my first child, it was the most painful experience of my life.  I would nearly scream everytime he latched on.  I would sit up nearly in tears for a few weeks.  My husband told me to just put him on formula.  But I didn't want to give up and I did get a crack that scabbed up white, but it did go away (not sure how long it took, but I didn't do anything special except air out and use the lansinoh.  I found out that I was nursing him way too long.  I would let him sit on each side about 30-45 minutes, which I later heard was too long and was causing most of my problems (of course he was mostly sleeping).  I got through it and nursed him for 1 year.  I also nursed my last 2 for 1 year as well, I didn't have as much pain after that first time round.

The price we pay to be a mom.  I empathize with you.  It will get better.  Good Luck!!

i know this will sound crazy, but try putting raw cabbage leaves on them. just tuck a leaf into your bra and wear them around. i had severly chapped and painful nipples for about 3 weeks and screamed when he would latch on. after trying everything else i read about this and figured what the heck. after about 3-4 hours the pain was about 75% better. by the next day it was gone. i read red cabbage works best but it was unavailble here so i used the plain old green stuff with amazing results. good luck!