Hello everyone! I really need some help with this mom. A couple of weeks ago I posted a note about a mom with the worst nipples I'd ever seen...they looked like mucous membranes, raw meat, etc. Baby was 3 1/2 weeks old at that point. Because of the extensive damage, I suggested that she pump until they heal. Well, it took two weeks to notice any improvement in the nipples. At that point she could weat nursing pads w/o pain, instead of having to wear breast shells all of the time, and the nipples were looking much better. However, as soon as she tried to put the baby to breast, it was very painful, so she decided to continue pumping for another week. That was on 6/11/95. Here is what has happened since then: 6/16 Mom tried nursing the night before, and the baby spit up blood after nursing on the left side. Left nipple cracked again, right has a blister. A friend with a nursing baby tried nursing this baby and said that although it didn't hurt, it did feel different. Discussed possibility of thrush and discovered that within past week baby had developed a diaper rash and was being treated with Nystatin *******!!! Suggested mom immediately call docs and get drops for baby's mouth and cream for nipples. 6/17 Mom has mastitis again, and is on antibiotics. Also had meds for thrush. 6/22 Started nursing again. Has blister on left nipple, was clear, now white. Her friend who nursed the baby said that the next morning her nipple was sore. 6/24 Left nipple is cracked again, and mom wants to keep pump another week. HELP!!! Any ideas?! When I saw this mom nurse 4 weeks ago, baby had the whole areola in her mouth, and the digital suck exam was normal. I even suggested that she use a nipple shield (a first for me), and that just made the pain worse. I am really at a loss here. Could allergies play a part in this? WHAT could this baby be doing that is causing mom's nipple to crack so quickly? And how can we fix it? Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Debby Boehle, IBCLC