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After weeks of breastfeeding with a poor latch, my nipples became chapped, cracked, and extremely sore. I had blocked ducts, mastitis, and several blood spots. I could not nurse or pump on my left side due to the amount of pain I was experiencing, and my right nipple was not much better. I knew I had to heal my nipples if I wanted to continue breastfeeding. I contacted a lactation specialist, and she determined I was engorged which was making the latch worse. I was in a panic to get the engorgement down and heal my nipples as fast as possible. I’d love to share what I learned to help my fellow mama’s out of this hole.
Firstly, if you’re experiencing nipple pain, do not stop expressing the milk. That can cause engorgement and multiply your problems. I did write a blog in efforts to help you fight this problem. You can read it here.
As a preventative, you can use a lanolin nipple cream. Apply it to your nipples after each feeding/pumping session as well as before you take a shower. This provides a barrier for your nipples. (Just a little extra tidbit here: don’t scrub them harshly or use soap; just gently run them under water.) A nipple cream can also relieve any itching or irritation. You can also rub any excess breast milk over the nipples after each feed/pump, but I felt like the lanolin provided more comfort once the nipple pain worsened.
If your nipples are already cracked, I highly recommend using breast shells. They are pieces of plastic that hover over the nipple with a silicone backing that has a hole in it for the nipple to poke through. They are held in place by the pressure in your bra. This was a game changer for me. My nipples were no longer rubbing against my bra or nursing pads all day. Your nipples should be air drying after every feed/pump, but let’s be real, walking around topless is less than ideal. The breast shells allowed my nipples to breathe, and they collected any dripping milk. If you keep the shells clean and sterile, then you can keep the milk collected within a two hour period. Personally, I didn’t worry about switching out the shells every two hours, so I poured the milk down the drain. You could, however, use the expired milk for milk baths, small scratches, eczema, etc. Just be sure to dump the contents every few hours. If the shells get too full, the milk can spill out. For this reason, I don’t recommend wearing them while at work or running errands, but they are a must around the house.
One thing that worked wonders for healing was a saline spray which helps combat dryness and promote healing. Yes, I went all out and bought an actual saline sprayer, but you could most definitely use a bowl of saline solution. The spray was just more convenient for me.I was also advised to try medical grade honey. Fortunately, my nipples started to heal rather quickly with the breast shells and saline spray, so I did not give that a try, but it was definitely in my cart.
Using my haakaa was the best thing for my nipples. I was able to retrieve milk for my baby with minimal pain. I would pump/nurse on the less painful side and place the haakaa on the other while massaging and using hot compresses on that breast.
If you must continue to nurse on a painful, sore, or cracked nipple, use a nipple shield. There are several out there, but I used this one. My hospital actually provided it for me while I was in the hospital, and I ended up purchasing two more before transitioning to exclusive pumping. It really was a lifesaver during that time. I don’t think I could have nursed at all without one.
Most importantly, give your body time to heal. I know it feels like it’s the end of the world, but be patient with yourself. Imagine walking on a broken foot or writing with a broken wrist. It would be incredibly difficult and painful! Consider feeding your baby a bottle during this time with the milk collected from your haakaa and/or breast shells in order to speed up the healing process and to give yourself a mental break. I know it’s exhausting associating feeding your child with physical pain, but you can get through it with prayer and a little modification to your routine.
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