At 11:36 PM 1/29/04, you wrote:
>I would appreciate some ideas to help this mum and baby. The baby is 10
>months old and two top teeth have erupted. Since this time, mum has sore and
>grazed nipples. I have suggested she checks the latch but is this due to the
>latch? If so, why has the latch not caused a problem before when it was just
>gums? Any other suggestions for this situation?

Below are some suggestions that I compiled from a Lactnet search.  They
have been effective with my clients who have called with the same problem
as Paula described.

I hope that something here will be helpful.

                                 TEETH AND TODDLERS

Upper teeth can hurt the nipples before a menstrual period, when nipples
are often tender and when many mothers experience a drop in milk supply.

Teeth marks on the areola around the nipple are common but they shouldn't hurt.

If baby is teething (and when are they *not*) mom can get homeopathic
teething tabs which do help make baby's mouth less achy, reducing the
desire to clamp down.

Many mothers of toddlers have grown lax about positioning because they did
not have to concern themselves  with latch after baby learned to feed well.
And baby can grow "sloppy" about positioning too.

Some suggestions:

Hold baby very close--remember tummy to tummy--and higher. Sitting almost
upright on the lap and feeding--those little teeth just dig in-- while
watching older sibling playing can be rough on the breast. Some toddlers
don't have time to eat because so much exciting stuff is going on.

Tell baby what is going on with the nipples and ask her to open wide before
latching on.

Baby can sit on lap but it is best to lift her higher for a while.

If she is nursing on the left side she moves the baby a bit (1 inch or so)
to the right, while pressing in on the shoulders.  The chin goes more
deeply into the breast, baby's head is slightly tilted back, hence the
teeth do not go into the breast tissue so much. This change is one of the
most helpful.

If there is a teething issue or if the skin is broken mom can rinse her
nipples after feeding with warm water or salt water solution (1/4 tsp to 1
C of water) or a mild soap and water wash.  The nipple rinsing/washing
helps with healing.  Dr. Newman's All Purpose Nipple Ointment would be good
in this case or she can use lanolin if she chooses. One client mixed
Polysporin and 1% cortisone ointment for additional healing instead of the
APNO.

I have had good outcomes with the above body positioning and encouraging
baby to *feed* during feedings and play later. My clients have called back
greatly relieved.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
www.walc.net
Mailto:[log in to unmask]

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