Quickest way to heal a gash on the nipple?

[Anonymous]

I have a week old and after one night of frequent latcings, there is a gash on one nipple. I am offering that breast only after two pumpings on that side. Baby's latch seems good now but the damage is done.

We have no issues on the other side.

I am rubbing mIlk on it and staying topless most of the time but it has not healed yet. What else can I do? If i can tolerate the pain when baby latches on this side, nursing goes pretty well. But i really want to heal this first. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Apno nipple cream. Ask your obgyn for s prescription. A compounding pharmacist will need to fill it. I probably would have given up without it.

[Anonymous]

Sunlight can help too. If possible, find a window in your home that allows for some privacy (ie, not across from your neighbor's house) and sit topless in the sun for 15 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Rub a bit of coconut oil on your nipples.

[Anonymous]

I had the same thing when ds was 2 weeks old. You need at least 24 hours where baby does not suck there. Let it heal. Pump instead. Continue to keep it exposed. I would put Lansinoh on it.

[Anonymous]

Warm saline compress (to keep it from getting infected) and lanolin

[Anonymous]

PP below--also check kellymom

[Anonymous]

I'm sure that people will jump on me for this, but the apno cream didn't help me, I also tried some vegan nipple cream and olive oil, which didn't help either. So, I tried neosporin with pain relief, and it made a big difference for me! I just wipied before feeding each time. I hope you heal soon!

[Anonymous]

I swear by ameda hydrogel pads. You have to order on-line, but they really work wonders. Just be sure to not use any creams when you use them.

[Anonymous]

I ended up with bleeding nipples. It was pretty bad (firt .25 oz of pumped milk was a blood/milk mixture). I used lanolin and medela breast shields. The breast shields help keep everything off of the nipple and allowed it time to heal. Wore it 24 hours a day for a little less than a week (only took about 2-3 days to heal- but I wore it for just a bit longer to be safe)

[Anonymous]

Seriously - just go for the good stuff. Neosporin. I had cracked nipples and they healed pretty quickly. Put it on after nursing and wash off before you feed the baby again. Both the LC and ped had that reccomendation.

[Anonymous]

I don't think lanolin will cut it for you, but you can try it. I also had the ameda hydro gel pads, which I also don't think will cut it, but they are really nice especially if you put them in the fridge. the breastfeeding center has all purpose nipple ointment, so you might try that. I haven't tried it but have heard good things about it.

[Anonymous]

Try changing nursing positions on that side for a couple days. I was cringing in pain and that's all it took allow things to heal -- my LC recommended it and I could have kissed her I was so relieved!

[Anonymous]

Another vote for trying to find an entirely different nursing position and nurse briefly - enough to eliminate engorgement.

I tended to get engorged very quickly and so could not stop nursing on one side, so even a few hours was uncomfortable.

Warm, moist heat was my cure-all; try using dry rice in a sock, heat in micro at 30 second intervals. Apply to affected area, but make sure sock isnt too hot for you.

[Anonymous]

- Warm saline soak 2-3 times a day (only soak for one or two minutes, not longer)
- milk and air dry after nursing
- APNO once dry (Breastfeeding center will sell to you)
- Lanolin about one hour after APNO to keep things moist (and before nursing so that the pain of the crack stretching isn't as bad)
- Tylenol
- adjust your nursing position

It took about a week of this routine to heal.

I found the Lansinoh breastpads were least likely to stick to my cracked, bleeding nipples.