Baby is 3 mos. old and mom has had sore nipples since the beginning.  The
first treatment was to clip a tight frenulum.  Things were much better,
including satisfaction after feeds.  Mom's nipples were just a bit sore at
latch on.  Then came yeast--baby, nipples, and intra-ductal.  Treatment was
successful.  But her nipples have remained very sensitive over a month after
the yeast treatment.  The strange part is that there is No pain during the
feedings, including at latch, and the nipples aren't misshapen afterwards;
but there has been some blanching 5 minutes or so after feeding and the most
persistent problem is that her nipples are very sore to the touch and with
any fabric touching them. She went topless for a few days, which felt good,
but didn't heal the soreness.

She tried ibuprophen, warm water soaks, taking care when showering to not
get soap or shampoo on her nipples, and some otc cortizone (1%).  Sometimes
things seem to help but nothing has totally resolved the pain/sensitivity.
She hasn't stayed with one treatment dedicatedly, however, as she says she
gets busy with the baby and forgets to do the treatments.

If the otc cortizone helped some, would a prescription one be better?  Would
a dermatologist visit be in order?  Could the problem be in her muscles or such?

I find it so puzzling that the nipples are reacting with blanching or pain
when the feedings are so comfortable.

What do you think?

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee


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