I am a LLL Leader in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and have been lurking for past six weeks. This is the first time I've sent anything and I'm also almost compu/illiterate. Please don't be too hard on me! I am sending this on behalf of a co-Leader here in Kitchener. Yes there are a few of us on Lactnet up in the Great White North! I have a woman who is the mother of a 13 month old and has never experienced pain free nursing. It has recently become almost unbearable and neither she nor the baby are willing to wean. Symptoms resemble thrush: deep breast pain, red flakey nipples, sore before, during and after feeds. No evidence of thrush in baby's mouth. Doctor will not prescribe treatment for baby and treating mother alone has not improved situation. Mother has tried Gentian Violet, nilstat, loporox, purelan, lansinoh and vitamin E on occasion with no visible improvement. Gentian Violet (purple nipples !)frightened baby and seemed to worsen pain. Mother wonders if solution and application was correct or is she sensitive or allergic(1% in water) Mother found some impovement with loporox but Dr. unwilling to prescribe ( gave samples only ) Breastfeeding support services at local hospital diagnosed improper latch and recommended weaning however we feel that that baby would not have thrived for 13 months had she never latched on properly. Tip of nipple is often blanched after feedings . Mother has recently noticed bleeding from R nipple during a particularly painful feed. We have tried ice on nipple for pain,careful positioning and suggestions from Breastfeeding Answer Book, Brewster, Maureen Minchen, Overview of sucking solutions, trying to reach Dr. Jack Newman in Toronto . We are tapped out. Any suggestions, information or help would be greatly appreciated. This Mom deserves a positive nursing experience! Feel free to respond via private email to [log in to unmask] Lenore Holderness and Liz Goldsworthy LLL Leaders and mothers of 5 beautiful breastfed babies!