Sore nipples

I have very sore nipples from my aborted nursing marathon - they're puffy and practically glowing, plus one has a blood blister. Ideally, I'd rest them totally but I don't think I can and maintain my supply. So I'm back to pumping every 3-4 hrs, even though it's not comfortable. It's a lot more comfortable than nursing, though! Any suggestions on how to heal my nipples heal while keeping up my supply?

 

QUOTE(Rebekah J @ May 16 2009, 10:25 PM) [snapback]1316733[/snapback]
I have very sore nipples from my aborted nursing marathon - they're puffy and practically glowing, plus one has a blood blister. Ideally, I'd rest them totally but I don't think I can and maintain my supply. So I'm back to pumping every 3-4 hrs, even though it's not comfortable. It's a lot more comfortable than nursing, though! Any suggestions on how to heal my nipples heal while keeping up my supply?


Also, as it is, I'm unable to stand more than the lowest level on the pump, so I might be dropping my supply anyway.

 

-Breast shells to keep your nipples from being touched/brushed by your shirt
- air drying as much as possible
- using lanolin before pumping and your own milk after to help the skin heal
- take some ibprofen

:youcandoit: Hang in there!

Also read HERE !

 

QUOTE(E&Msmom @ May 16 2009, 11:03 PM) [snapback]1316746[/snapback]
-Breast shells to keep your nipples from being touched/brushed by your shirt
- air drying as much as possible
- using lanolin before pumping and your own milk after to help the skin heal
- take some ibprofen

:youcandoit: Hang in there!

Also read HERE !


Thanks! I wonder if BRU has breast shields. And I always forget how useful kellymom is!

 

Jess gave great advice. Also, maybe you're doing this stuff already, but there are tricks you can try to get the most out of pumping, so that hopefully you can spare your nipples a little bit. You can try hot compresses on your breasts (or pumping after a hot shower), leaning down as you pump, breast massage/compression, stuff like that.

I hope you heal up soon! And don't give up hope - in time, I'm sure you'll get their latches all sorted out. And even if you have a little supply dip now, you'll be able to get it back up. :hug:

 

BRU should have them. You should also put some lanolin on the pump flanges while pumping, put it right around where your nipples enter the pump.

Also if I were you, I'd try to latch the babies once or twice a day. You can do it in place of a pumping because your nipples are going to have to adapt to nursing at some point. I just wouldn't go full on nursing marathon until you heal.

I hope you start feeling better soon...I've been there. I thought the pain was never going to end, but I promise it will.

 

Do you have the medela pump setup? I know they have different diameter breast flanges for different size nipples. Apparently I have larger sized ones and need an extra large sized breast cup thingy...who knew?!!
Lanolin like crazy and cold soothies gel things help, too!
Honestly the first month is the worst....if you can keep going for that long it only gets better!

 

Yeah, I could I forget soothies...I got the Medela gels. I can't remember the exact name. They work wonders.

 

I've been lanolining and wearing breast shields. I think I'm going to try one nurser on my less-sore side tomorrow, and have the gels ready. :vava:

 

QUOTE(Rebekah J @ May 18 2009, 08:10 PM) [snapback]1318773[/snapback]
I've been lanolining and wearing breast shields. I think I'm going to try one nurser on my less-sore side tomorrow, and have the gels ready. :vava:

You're such a trooper!!! I'm impressed with your determination. :Clap:

 

I hope they feel better soon! When I was pumping it helped most to slather on the lanolin BEFORE pumping and use the gel soothing pads between sessions for soreness.

 

QUOTE(BostonBoys08 @ May 17 2009, 01:02 PM) [snapback]1317083[/snapback]
Do you have the medela pump setup? I know they have different diameter breast flanges for different size nipples. Apparently I have larger sized ones and need an extra large sized breast cup thingy...who knew?!!
Lanolin like crazy and cold soothies gel things help, too!
Honestly the first month is the worst....if you can keep going for that long it only gets better!


this was my problem too. i had to go up one size on the left and two on the right. once i got that figured out, no pain! i was able to pump to get my supply up.