I'd like to respond to one part of Maureen's post about nipple fissures
(nice to have you back Maureen!) and - taking a deep breath here, as I
presume to disagree with your third suggestion, "holding edges together
between feeds. I've used non-allergenic tape, steri-skin, anything to hold
the thing together so that between feeds it has a chance to heal. The less
adhesive the better of course, as it has to come off usually for feeds. But
healing is so rapid that it isn't a big problem. End all other creams and
potions in use as dermatitis doesn't help."

One of the problems I see in nipple fissures that have been long-standing
(mothers sometimes endure these for *weeks*) is that the nipple is
compressed inside the bra.  This sticks the edges of the fissure together
between breastfeeds and then they open up again the next time the baby
attaches.  Excruciatingly painful of course, but more than this, they keep
breaking open again and again.  My observation is that if the fissures can
be allowed to remain *open* between breastfeeds, then they do start to heal,
but from the *inside* outwards, in the 'V' of the crack, so to speak.
Ultimately a fairly short nipple will be "lengthened" too after it has
healed in this way.  If the mom can go without a bra, this is good, but
often she can't because even light clothing rubbing on the nipple proves too
painful.  We can't get those nice breast shells with holes in them here
(that a mother could place over the nipple, inside the bra, to prevent the
nipple being compressed) so I suggest plastic tea-strainers. Sometimes the
mom cuts the handle off, or sometimes she places the the handle running
upwards along the bra-strap pointing towards her shoulder.  The original
*cause* of the fissures needs to be addressed, as Maureen sets out.  Other
treatments for Thrush or bacterial infection need to be used as appropriate
and lanolin (L****h) can be helpful. But I find that allowing the nipple to
heal "open" accelerates healing.  Just my .02.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe