https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:47:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2214291 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 15:50:51 +0000 gentlelunette 2214291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boopers: The LC didn't mention it, but I would wipe off any excess. I never went so far as to wash off with each feeding, though. If it was handy, I would wet the cloth so I got more off, but if not, I just got as much as I could. I finished my tube, but I agree, it would probably come in handy in the future! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2214148 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 08:09:22 +0000 Boopers 2214148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gentlelunette: interesting! Did your LC mention having to wash it off before nursing? From what I read you can use it on all sorts of wounds and even on pets! It seems handy to keep around the house even after the cracked nipples have healed. I ordered it the other day and I'm waiting for it to get here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2214030 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 21:04:47 +0000 gentlelunette 2214030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boopers: honestly, I think it really helped speed up the healing process. My crack was so deep, so the medihoney filled the wound and healed it from the inside out. I also wore Medela TheraShells exclusively for the 9 weeks though so that my clothes wouldn't rub off the APNO/medihoney. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2213877 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 17:45:52 +0000 Boopers 2213877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gentlelunette: my LC recommended medihoney to me yesterday! I ordered the gel on Amazon, not the paste based on reviews. What do you think of it so far? I've been using APNO, but she thought Medihoney would be worth trying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2213752 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 15:11:50 +0000 gentlelunette 2213752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: I should also mention, the medihoney was recommended to me by the lactation consultant I saw at the Jack Newman Breastfeeding Clinic when I went. I was reluctant to use a honey based product, but they assured my it's safe for baby to ingest in small quantities and they recommend it to women with really bad cracks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2213750 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 15:09:46 +0000 gentlelunette 2213750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: I was only able to find it at one naturopathic store near me, but they sell it on Amazon. It's not cheap, but it goes a long way. I alternated between medihoney and APNO, and it still took 9 whole weeks to heal (it was also very deep). </p> <p>Good luck... you ARE a warrior. I couldnt pump (and still can't) off that side. Nursing was painful enough!! Hope you heal quickly! </p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/MEDIHONEY-WOUND-PASTE-Size-1-5/dp/B002GO73CQ" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/MEDIHONEY-WOUND-PASTE-Size-1-5/dp/B002GO73CQ</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2213731 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 14:55:30 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2213731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gentlelunette: Where do you buy this MediHoney wound paste? As for still pumping, I take ibuprofen and battle through. The pain is worst during the first couple minutes but once I hit letdown and get the slower suction, it isn't bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2212655 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 19:14:23 +0000 gentlelunette 2212655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: I had a crack that was at the base of the nipple, where the nipple starts and aereola ends, that was about 2/3 of the circumference. It took 9 weeks to heal, two refills of APNO and a product called MediHoney Wound Paste. So if your crack was at the base, I'd be saying 1) How are you still pumping?! You must be a warrior because the pain I felt was out of control; 2) Get some APNO, but also invest in the medihoney. It really sped up my healing and is safe for baby to ingest because the botulism has been radiated out of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211708 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 21:42:29 +0000 lady grey 2211708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: You need to put lanolin (or coconut oil or olive oil) on your nipples *before* you pump, ever time. Also it sounds like the cracks may be at the base of your nipple which probably means the flanges are too small. Go up a size and see if that helps. You could hand express your milk while your skin heals:<br /> <a href="http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html" rel="nofollow">http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html</a><br /> <a href="http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/130/how-to-manually-express-breastmilk---the-marmet-technique" rel="nofollow">http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/130/how-to-manually-express-breastmilk---the-marmet-technique</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211696 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 21:29:32 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2211696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyTsMom: I'm already using the Lansinoh.</p> <p>@gentlelunette: I'm not sure what you mean by the base of the nipple vs on the surface? The almost circular crack runs millimeters outside of the very center point of my nipple.</p> <p>@lilyofthewest: I haven't been lubing the flanges but where the crack is never touches flange. Do you think it would still help?</p> <p>@Mrs. Taco: nope - I'm actually using one of the lower levels of suction.</p> <p>@Mrs.Someone: @blackbird: @hilsy85: Sounds like I need to get my hands on this APNO! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211586 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 19:38:21 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2211586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ow! I agree on the APNO, the pharmacist called it "magic". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211559 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 19:13:45 +0000 blackbird 2211559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: it's a prescription that my OB wrote me but I've read you can make your own mix with an anti fungal and neisporin and something else?....yours might be willing to just prescribe it over the phone. I got mine in the hospital (they have a compounding pharmacy) and my OB never saw me. It was $25 without insurance </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211490 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:44:41 +0000 lilyofthewest 2211490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you lubing up your flanges? You can use olive oil, lanolin, or any other "nipple butter" that doesn't need to be washed off before direct breastfeeding </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211475 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:24:06 +0000 hilsy85 2211475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: you need a prescription for APNO and it needs to be made at a compounding pharmacy, but it is magic!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211455 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:47:47 +0000 Mrs. Taco 2211455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you using the pump at full suction? If so, try turning it down. I did that in the early days thinking stronger suction=more milk but turning it down didn't change my output and saved my poor nipples! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211452 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:46:07 +0000 gentlelunette 2211452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is the crack at the base of the nipple, or on the surface? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211439 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:36:29 +0000 BabyTsMom 2211439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>also, what brand lanolin are you using? i started off with Medela and it was terrible. I thought the Lansinoh was much more effective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211408 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:21:49 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2211408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sweetooth: I rub breast milk on it and let it dry before adding the lanolin. I've checked my flange size and, based on the images I can find online, it seems to be the right size/fit. Maybe I should try an appointment with the LC at our peds office.</p> <p>@blackbird: Is that a prescription? Or can I just go pick it up somewhere? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211390 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:10:49 +0000 blackbird 2211390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you ask for some APNO cream? It has a steroid to speed up healing. It was awesome for me </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211365 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 14:59:04 +0000 sweetooth 2211365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Owie :( Hugs! Can you try to put a little breastmilk on it? That always seemed to be the magical healer for all things boob related. Also make sure that the pump phalange size is not too small.</p> <p>ETA: I'd see a lactation consultant if it persists. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cracked-nipples#post-2211359 Wed, 17 Jun 2015 14:56:06 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2211359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I'm exclusively pumping for our 3 week old using a Freestyle. One of my nipples is really cracked (like 4/5 of the way towards a complete circle around the nipple). </p> <p>I've been slathering lanolin on it after each pumping session but it isn't seeming to get any better. Is there anything else I can do to help it? Thankfully they aren't bleeding (yet) but they really hurt whenever I pump. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-amp-eczema#post-662805 Sat, 23 Mar 2013 12:59:20 +0000 Ginger333 662805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic - it'll take a few days to heal, let them air out after you apply the APNO if you can, sun and air are good for healing nipples. And yeah, it stings a bit :( but it'll be worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-amp-eczema#post-662723 Sat, 23 Mar 2013 11:43:44 +0000 shopaholic 662723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ginger333: this is what I was prescribed Newmans ointment it says. They told me the same, no need to wipe it off. My cracks haven't healed yet, but don't appear to be getting worse. It stings when I put it on, but I think it will take some time to heal (especially when I'm still BFing and pumping). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-amp-eczema#post-662596 Sat, 23 Mar 2013 09:55:41 +0000 Ginger333 662596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hilsy85 - Dr. Newman's APNO doesn't have to be wiped off before feeding. Some other creams you might, but i know from using it that this one doesn't have to be.<br /> I used it with this last baby and his APNO was awesome - total life (nipple?) saver! Hope it works for you.<br /> Dr. Jack Newman does take e-mail questions through his website - <a href="http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&#038;view=article&#038;id=62&#038;Itemid=33" rel="nofollow">http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&#038;view=article&#038;id=62&#038;Itemid=33</a><br /> You could ask him what he thinks about using a nipple shield in your situation. He usually replies very promptly and I've gotten really great advice from him in the past.<br /> Hope you find a solution, what you're dealing with sounds really painful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-amp-eczema#post-652630 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:42:52 +0000 hilsy85 652630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebittyhouse: ha I think we posted the same link! :) Great minds... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-amp-eczema#post-652589 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:20:46 +0000 shopaholic 652589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swurlygurl: Interesting! Okay, will try that today! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-amp-eczema#post-652587 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:19:40 +0000 swurlygurl 652587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have any on hand, you might also want to try coconut oil. I've read that eczema can be caused by a lack of lauric acid. During breastfeeding, your milk takes almost all your lauric acid, so if you're prone to eczema you break out really bad with it. Coconut oil is high in lauric acid.</p> <p>Right after I started breastfeeding, my whole body broke out in eczema patches everywhere - it was crazy! Coconut oil cleared it right up!</p> <p>Plus, it won't hurt if the baby ingests any coconut oil! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-amp-eczema#post-652540 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:00:43 +0000 shopaholic 652540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks ladies for the tips! I got a prescription for that APNO called in and going to pick it up today. Fingers Crossed it helps and works! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-amp-eczema#post-649876 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:59:04 +0000 littlebittyhouse 649876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't suffer from this but I did have really raw/itchy nips due to my anatomy. Basically LO did not have to have a deep latch to get good milk flow and sometimes a deep latch would case him to gag. </p> <p>Hydrogels never worked for me either - it was more about the constant rawness as opposed to cracking/bleeding.</p> <p>I agree with the shells - so helpful in the healing process. The APNO is a lifesaver. You can read more about it here: <a href="http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&#038;view=article&#038;id=76:all-purpose-nipple-ointment-apno&#038;catid=5:information&#038;Itemid=17" rel="nofollow">http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&#038;view=article&#038;id=76:all-purpose-nipple-ointment-apno&#038;catid=5:information&#038;Itemid=17</a></p> <p>I would feed, rub breastmilk, air dry, APNO. Somedays were good, some days were awfulbut 8mo later here we are. I sill get some soreness sometimes but it is nothing like the glass shards in the beginning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breast-feeding-amp-eczema#post-649546 Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:58:16 +0000 shopaholic 649546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sandy: @hilsy85: Thanks Ladies! I'm going to call my OB today and ask about it. After using my prescription ointment 2xs yesterday, it already feels significantly better. It's just the wiping off part that's a hassle and painful and I worry about baby ingesting any of it.</p> <p>@Ms.SK: Yeah, all the nurses at our hospital are IBCLC and they're very vocal about it and all their breast-feeding stuff. No, I didn't know about the laws covering it! I will have to look into it and see if I can get it covered which would be nice! I've used Org. Coconut Oil as just moisturizer before, but it's for sure not tough enough for treating my eczema. But thanks! </p>