Hi Kim,
    I wonder what the 17-month-old baby is eating or having in her/his mouth?  The fact that this nipple problem has arisen only recently, and not months ago, would lead me to suspect that there is a recent factor involved - and that it isn't long-term breastfeeding or night feeding, after all this time.
   Some items to consider include: toothpaste (not designed for the sensitive skin of nipple/areola), tomatoes, strawberies, pineapple, or any food the mother is herself sensitive to.  Babies this age are not good at rinsing and spitting, and so if use of toothpaste has been started as a bedtime ritual, the child might be going onto Mum's breast with still a fair amount of toothpaste in the mouth.
   Other suggestions:  new washing powder when laundering the 'bra? partner's mouth during loveplay - using mouthwash first?
    But, of course, I forgot.  It has to be breastfeeding that is at fault, doesn't it!!!  (Grrr!)
     I hope these ideas help.
                          Virginia

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html