Should I continue breastfeeding with sore cracked nipples?
I am breast feeding my third child who is now 4 weeks old, but my nipples are still cracked and sore. Should I continue to feed or should I bottle feed? Is there any treatments?
I’ve read some of the other answers and just because your nipples are sore and cracked doesn’t mean you have a breast infection. Your breast would be hot and you’d have a fever. It’s perfectly safe to breastfeed with cracked nipples. My second tore my nipples up! What I did was use the lanisoh after each feeding. Make sure you don’t cover your breasts right away, let some air get to them. I also only fed off one breast at a time when I was very sore. This helped give some time inbetween. If you use both each time, your body will adjust, but you’ll probably become engorged. That can be painful too. Sorry. They also have some breastpads out there to help with sore nipples. Gerber has Soothing gel something, there is also Soothies gel pads, something like mothers best friend to name a few I’ve been coming across. They didn’t have them while I was going through it, but I’ve already getting some to try (I’m 39 wks preg). I had a hard time locating some where I live so I bought mine on e-bay. Also, DO NOT put soap on your nipples, this will dry them out. You can also express some milk and rub it on and around your nipples, let it dry, then apply the lanisoh. That the routine I followed. They will remain sore for a time, but it will get better. As far as continuing breast or switching to bottle, ask yourself, “Will I miss this if I stop?”. I quit with my first and missed it dearly. Maybe you wouldn’t, the choice is yours. The pain won’t last forever. I hope this helps, good luck, I know the pain you’re going through.
BTW Is your child latching on correctly? If he/she isn’t, this could be the cause. My latched on fine, but was very aggressive. Just something to think about.
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