Red spot on nipple / pain when nursing

[LadyNymeria]

Hi ladies. First post here, but I'm going to try to come hang out since I really want BF-ing to work.

My DS will be 4 weeks on Tuesday and his lips tend to not flare or properly when latching. I keep flipping them out, but they never stay. But we are working on it!

The problem is that the bad latch has caused a red spot on my nipple that hurts when nursing. It kind of looks like a blood blister. Other than changing nursing positions to change up where DS puts pressure on my nipple (which I learned from browsing other threads here!), any suggestions for helping it heal?

My left nipple is shaped better for a better latch so thankfully this is only an issue on one side (knock on wood).

Thanks!

[adouces06]

I think this would be more of a last stitch effort fix, but you could always try a nipple shield. I used them with DS, and they really helped as a barrier of sort from getting the sore nipples. It might help for the time being while you get the red spot to heal. As for what it could be, I am not sure but I hope it gets better soon!!!

[LadyNymeria]

adouces06 - We actually just stopped using one which I think is why the spot has showed up. We were using a shield just on the right side but suddenly DS didn't want to latch with the shield the past couple days so U stopped using it.

Probably worth trying to use it again while I heal though.

[emmyg65]

Has he been evaluated for lip or tongue tie?

[LadyNymeria]

Oct 8, 2016 9:00:33 GMT -5 emmyg65 said:

Has he been evaluated for lip or tongue tie?

Yes and I was told he was ok. Short tongue, but no ties to be corrected.

[westiemom]

Oct 8, 2016 9:11:23 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

Oct 8, 2016 9:00:33 GMT -5 emmyg65 said:

Has he been evaluated for lip or tongue tie?

Yes and I was told he was ok. Short tongue, but no ties to be corrected.

I'm not sure who check yours but you might try a second opinion from an ENT or pediatric dentist. Our pedi missed ours and my DD had class 4 tongue and lip ties. I was dealing with the same issues. Hers was corrected at 7 weeks and things have greatly improved.

[LadyNymeria]

Oct 9, 2016 22:01:06 GMT -5 westiemom said:

Oct 8, 2016 9:11:23 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

Yes and I was told he was ok. Short tongue, but no ties to be corrected.

I'm not sure who check yours but you might try a second opinion from an ENT or pediatric dentist. Our pedi missed ours and my DD had class 4 tongue and lip ties. I was dealing with the same issues. Hers was corrected at 7 weeks and things have greatly improved.

Ah, that's no good. It was our pedi who checked DS. I was given the name of a ped dentist by someone in my BMB who used them to correct a tie on her previous child. Maybe it would be worth giving them a call.

[megrae12]

Hey, love. Have you seen an IBCLC? They can evaluate his latch and give you some pointers. Also, I noticed that DS' latch improved a lot around the 6 week mark.

[LadyNymeria]

Oct 10, 2016 20:23:09 GMT -5 megrae12 said:

Hey, love. Have you seen an IBCLC? They can evaluate his latch and give you some pointers. Also, I noticed that DS' latch improved a lot around the 6 week mark.

Our peds office actually has an LC on staff and I've been working with her. She's was helping me with getting DS's lips to flare out better, which I think may have been the cause of the sore spot. I think we just need to keep working on it and hopefully we'll get there soon!

[LadyNymeria]

I spent the weekend feeding from the left and pumping from the right and it helped a lot. The spot is still a bit tender but I've been able to feed from the right again today without pain.

I notice that if I'm careful to get more of the areola in his mouth the latch seems better so I'm trying to remember to keep an eye on that now whenever he nurses.