Hello, Oh wise and experienced Lactnetters:  A general question about
cracked/bleeding nipples.  I know that a varying degree of nipple
soreness (even pain) can be normal in the first week postpartum, but I
have recently had two mothers who had basically had normal labors and
babies appeared to be doing everything right (no supplements), who within
2 days had cracked and bleeding nipples.  Complete assessment of both
dyads including examination of baby's tongue for short frenulum and
palate for submucous cleft, and as good a suck assessment as this
inexperienced person could do, failed to show any obvious problem.  In
both cases, I was planning on getting one of my more experienced IBCLC
colleagues in but the problem resolved.  There had been little
intervention except for the usual sore nipple care and making sure
frequent nursing continued with careful positioning and latching.  Could
this have been an extreme of normal (I am reluctant to believe that such
cracking and bleeding could be normal), or was there an undetected
problem which solved itself?  Have any of you had such situations? TIA,
Alicia.  [log in to unmask]