I'm an LLLL, and a mother in our Group checked with me several years back
about sore nipples that began when her babies were several months old.  At
the time we decided it was a sensitivity to the baby's saliva, possibly
worsened during times of teething.

She told me last week that her nipples are *still* sore, two years after
weaning her last child.  I told her I'd check with all of you on Lactnet
about this.

The mother is 41 years old and has four children, now ages 12.5, 10, 6, and
3.75.  She had no soreness with the first child, but it began at about age
1.5 with second child, age 1 with third child, and age 6 months with fourth
child.  In each case it started *after* teething had begun.

It would clear up if she stopped nursing on the affected side, but then the
other side would get sore.  Symptoms included: cracking in areola,
transverse splitting under the nipple, sensitivity, itching and burning.  A
scaly rash, which would sometimes peel.  No bleeding.

The symptoms she still has are: extreme sensitivity of the nipple and
splitting under the nipple.  Her breasts are quite small now and she doesn't
wear a bra.  She said her nipples point/hang down, and the splitting is
where they bend underneath.  The splitting isn't constant.

The herbalist she consulted earlier felt it was not thrush.  There have been
no overt signs of thrush in mother or babies.

She tried: lansinoh, honey, vitamin E, all topically.  She took acidophilus
and continues to do so.

Several weeks after weaning it seemed to be better.  With her youngest
child, it seemed better toward the end of his nursing career.  But often the
pain was great enough that she'd try not to nurse unless the baby/toddler
insisted.

It hurt worst when the breast was empty.  She's not sure if it got better
after the milk let down, but it didn't go away then completely.

She doesn't plan to have any more children, but it might happen.  And she
worries that this might be something her daughters would have a tendency toward.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this!  Thanks!

Johanna Horton, LLLL in central Illinois  <[log in to unmask]>