I have a 3 week old boy and have been using nipple shields for 2 weeks as my right nipple is grazed and bleeding. I use hydrogel breast pads in between feeds, the latch doesn't hurt at all (just a really strong tugging feeling), I've been taking zinc to promote healing and doing a saline wash after each feed but there is no improvement. I guess at least its not getting any worse. I stopped using lanolin and bepathene as they just seemed to make my nipple stick to the breast pad which was awful. At the end of each day my breast literally feels as though it has been through the wringer. Baby is getting plenty of milk so I am happy about that. Does anyone have any advice?

Have u tried just putting breastmilk on after each feed and then letting them air dry?

Breastmilk really is great for everything and this is exactly the same. its a great moisturiser and your don't have to worry about bub ingesting anything they shouldn't.

Good luck i know how trying brestfeeding is but good on you for sticking with it even though it's tough at the moment it will get better

My best advice would be to stop using the nipple shield. I used a nipple shield for DS for the first 2 weeks because he wouldn't latch but because he was trying so hard to get the milk through the shield my nipples got even worse! Once I stopped using the shield it took weeks for my nipples to recover and stop being painful but it was much better in the long run. Otherwise as other posters have suggested breast milk is great to help with sore nipples. Good luck and I hope they feel better soon.

I had the same issue and still now I use the nipple shields, and my son is 4months, it just seems to work for us.

Trust me keep using lansinoh I know it can be sticky but just apply after every feed and let them breathe (i even used it every hour) once your baby comes for next feed it should not be as sticky.
My nipples were healed within a few days.

Hiya smile

I found that the lansinoh was great for the pain for the first few weeks, but then is seemed to keep the area too moist. Once i stopped using it as much and just used once a day before bed, my nipples then were able to breath/dry out and heal quicker smile

The other thing that worked for me was putting the lansinoh on the breast pad instead of the nipple, it created a barrier and stopped that horrible painful sticking...

Goodluck! I hope you find something that works and your feeling better soon smile

When you use the lanolin cream put heaps on. It is pretty thick so unless you put a lot on then it will stick to clothes, breast pads etc.

I did that after every feed for weeks until mine healed. I also would leave a shield with some breastmilk in it on for a little after each feed.

I agree with using breastmilk. At the end of a feed express a drop or 2 of the hind milk onto the nipple and rub it around. Then let them air dry before putting your breast pads and bra on.

If you find them sticking to your breast pad try hand expressing a few drops with breast pad attatched to moisten it up and it will come off easier.

Also don't use any soaps on your nipples while showering as this will also dry them out.

Good luck and it will get better. With my first it took 6 weeks before they we're healed and then no problems since. smile

Thanks so much everyone - given me heaps of ideas to try!

I had this same problem! I tried lots of creams and oils but none really improved my nipples. I then tried smothering my nipples in breast milk and the next day I started to get an improvement. So all I can say is breast milk! Good luck smile

Got to agree with breastmilk and I also use palmers nipple butter works a treat good luck x

Hi there,
I have a 12 week old boy and we have no breastfeeding issues now, but the first 3 - 4 weeks were hellish for me with cracked & bleeding nipples... (The lowest point - texting my midwife saying it looked like half my nipple had come off after feeding my baby - it certainly looked like that but it was just the scab!!)
I was in tears most feeds and absolutely dreaded them.
I tried applying lansinoh & purelan, and then even wrapping them in glad wrap after putting it on which I read somewhere, but that honestly didn't let my nipples heal at all!! I guess you can't beat natures healing processes, because (at a lactation consultants advice) I just stopped putting anything on and let them be clean and dry they healed up reasonably quickly.
I didn't find the nipple sheilds helped me at all because it seemed like my baby was sucking right on my nipple when I wore them - like they were too big for his mouth.
Hang in there, as long as you have the latch right THIS WILL GET BETTER and it'll be so worth it!! smile

lansinoh was a life saver for me i kept applying and applying. Must say i don't think i was in as much pain as some of you ladies have mentioned though... good luck.