Look after your nipples: wash your nipples with water after every feed and clean and sterilise your nipple shield after each feed. If you can, continue breastfeeding (it is quite safe for baby to feed on a bleeding nipple).
Is it safe for my baby to breastfeed if my nipples are cracked or bleeding? Yes. Your baby may swallow some blood and you may see it come out in their diaper, but it won't do them any harm. If you pump, you may notice that your breast milk has a pink tinge to it.
Seeing blood in your milk may be alarming at first, however it is not harmful to babies, and if you experience it you can continue breastfeeding – in most cases it will stop within a few days. If it does not cease, or if you are at all concerned, consult your healthcare provider.
If you get sore nipples when breastfeeding, it's usually because your baby is not positioned and attached properly at the breast. It's important not to stop breastfeeding. With help, feeding should quickly become more comfortable again.
If you can, continue breastfeeding (it is quite safe for baby to feed on a bleeding nipple). But if it's too painful, you may need to take your baby off the breast for 24 to 48 hours, rest the nipple and feed your baby expressed breast milk.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, “warm, moist heat is soothing for sore nipples and can help your skin heal faster.” You can use a warm, wet cloth on your nipples for a few minutes before nursing, or try taking a shower. You can also apply a cream, such as Mustela Nursing Comfort Balm, to your nipples.
This can be due to normal postpartum skin changes and/or improper latching on of your baby to the breast.As your milk supply gets established in the first few weeks, it's very common for your breasts to feel engorged (filled with milk), which is uncomfortable for you and makes it more difficult for any baby to latch on ...
You should expect some initial discomfort for a few weeks as your body adjusts to a suckling baby, but most nipple fissures will begin to heal after a few days, with deeper fissures needing one to two weeks to heal.
How long does healing take. The duration of the healing will vary. Superficial and recent soreness may clear in a matter of hours or days. However, long-established and profound wounds may require a up to 2 or 3 weeks to be entirely resolved even after the cause of the soreness has been eliminated.
Usually, nipple fissures appear because your baby isn't latching onto your breast to nurse correctly. Your baby may struggle to get enough milk, putting more strain on sensitive nipple tissue as they try to feed.
If trauma is persistent or severe, mom can experience cracking, bruising or blistering. When it is most severe, mom can experience bleeding and scabbing. Even after the latch does improve with treatment, some moms have experienced long term nerve damage that may not improve with time.
Milk duct blockages cause milk to pool in the breast and inflammation (pain and swelling). A cracked nipple can allow bacteria to enter the breast and cause an infection.
Treatment for Cracked and Bleeding Nipples
Unfortunately, you can't take a break from pumping while you heal. If you were to stop pumping, your milk supply will likely be affected, and there's a higher chance of issues with clogged ducts and mastitis.
Nipple pain is common in the early days of breastfeeding. This is because your nipples are not used to breastfeeding. The pain lasts for a short time, usually around 1 week. Soreness that continues throughout the breastfeed, or lasts for more than 1 week of breastfeeding, is not normal.
Summary of Use during Lactation
It has traditionally been used topically to treat sore, cracked nipples during breastfeeding.
If your baby is poorly attached to the breast, the nipple is nearer the front of their mouth and can be pinched against the hard palate, causing pain. Flattened, wedged or white nipples at the end of a feed are a sign your baby may not be properly attached. Your baby may also seem unsettled after feeds.
Pushing the Tongue Down and Out
Turn the finger over slowly so that the finger pad is on the baby's tongue and push down on his/her tongue while gradually pulling the finger out of the mouth. Repeat this exercise several times before latching the baby onto the breast.
Lipstick nipple
If your nipple comes out of your baby's mouth flattened, or slanted like a new tube of lipstick, it's a sign your baby's latch when breastfeeding isn't deep enough. You may not feel any pain, but this is still a cause for concern.
Signs that baby isn't latching properly
If you feel nipple pain while nursing, something's not right. This means your baby is likely chewing on your nipple instead of gumming the areola. The fix: Unlatch (break the suction by putting your finger into the corner of her mouth), and try again.
We want the nipple to be at the very top of your baby's mouth when your baby's mouth is open wide. When that happens your baby's lip will be close to the bottom of your areola. If the bottom lip is in the center of the areola, then your latch is shallow, even if it doesn't hurt.
Second, the deep latch can be achieved with any position of the baby: "football", "cradle", or "cross-cradle" holds, but it is easier if you sit up straight and use pillows to support you and your baby.
You can try a few tricks to get your baby to open wide. For starters, position her nose so that it lines up with the nipple. Then, make sure that her head is slightly tilted back, just as you would drink a glass of water. Try drawing your chin to your chest and swallowing and you'll see how uncomfortable it can be!
Babies tend to improve their latch as they mature and grow. Some babies will latch better when you try a different position.