I had a client who had a wide open split nipple during her previous child's
breastfeeding.  This infant (and course of lactation) was doing fine, no
soreness, baby thriving - mom learned her latch on and positioning skills
well after seeing a LC for the previous infant. I only stumbled across her
on routine rounds.  The mom  had white scar tissue that filled in the gap
from the previous split.  It didn't seem to affect this lactation at the
early date I saw her but I warned her she may have some plugged ducts,
engorgement followed by involution in the area if the scar covers some
nipple pores.  We also talked about ways to treat the engorgement (localized
cold compresses, cabbage) and S&Ss of mastitis + treatments.   No colostrum
was expressible through any of the scar tissue, no surprise there, although
it was easily expressed from both sides of the scar from multiple pores.

I thought this was interesting enough and unusual enough to pass on to the
group.


Carla (MD, USA hospital based LC)