I must say I agree with the mother about not using finger feeding.  I
think there is sometimes (not necessarily in this case, as I don't know
the details) too much of a rush to "rest the nipples".

Often correcting the latch decreases the pain.  If there is no pain,
there is no damage.  No damage will result in healing.

Cephalexin alone will not do the trick, I don't think. We set mothers up
for yeast infections of the nipple with antibiotics given systemically.

If anything, I would use "all purpose nipple ointment" which, in Canada,
where you are obviously not, would be Kenacomb ointment or Viaderm KC
ointment.  In the US, you can make something similar by combining
Mycolog ointment with mupirocin ointment 2%.  I suggest using it
sparingly after each feeding and not washing or wiping off.  As the
mother improves she can decrease the use of the ointment.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC