I know there have been a ton of posts (even recently) on breast-feeding, but I'm having an issue I hope maybe someone on HB here can relate to and has experience with?

I've had eczema all my life. It actually makes my nipples crack very easily and quite often most of my adult life. I have to use a pretty strong steroid ointment to heal it when it happens. I KNEW this would be an issue with BF'ing and sure enough, my nipples are cracked and the first few minutes of BF'ing are always extremely painful. The Lactation Nurse in my BF'ing class suggested breast milk and lanolin to moisturize the area. It's simply not enough. I've bought Hydrogel pads, cooling pads, and various nipple creams. But with the constant BF'ing, they just can't heal. I didn't want to use my prescription steroid medication, but finally today, had to use some and was VERY meticulous about wiping it off before feeding. But even that part was torturous!

K doesn't have any problem latching and I was told by several of the nurses (all certified LC) that she has a great latch. I feel like if I go see another private LC, it will be a waste of $. If I go see the dermatologist, it will just be about what medication to use.

I wonder if a nipple-shield during feeding would help the nipple heal? But I also read about nipple shield weaning and I don't have any other problem related to normal nipple shield use.

Anyone else suffer from this problem and did you find a solution?