In Lynn Shea's post, re: mastitis and nipple washing,  she asks:  Has anyone
ever
>noticed that a nipple with obvious trauma can appear to have healed
>tremendously after nursing a properly latched baby just one time? I have
>found this to be true on multiple occassions and am always amazed by it,
>anybody else??

Yes. I certainly have seen that.  Another thing that astounds me is how many
times I've seen sufficient healing and pain reduction in 6 to 24 hours  of
nipples that were severely damaged.  Typically, mom is sobbing and has
reached a point where she cannot bear to put the baby to breast again.  I'll
suggest saline soaks and gentle, frequent pumping, and an alternative method
of feeding the baby.  After a few hours mom chooses the least sore nipple,
initiates a milk ejection,  removes a little milk to soften the areolar
area, and latches a calmed baby,  in an improved latch/position (usually
clutch hold) taking deep, cleansing breaths with that shoulder deliberately
relaxed.  Viola!  An initial twinge, perhaps, followed by a pain-free
nursing. Her confidence is restored.  Milk ejections come faster.  It's a
sunshiney day, after all.

Anne Grider, LLL, IBCLC
Private practice, Marietta, GA

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