breastfeeding question - nipple damage

[karinothing]

This is obviously for a friend

So my friend with the triplets. She had to go home for a funeral and brought her non hospital grade pump with her. It basically destroyed her nipples. Now she is back home and can't not pump or nurse because she had three babies to feed. So any tips on how to heal?

Babies are 6 months (4 months adjusted) so they aren't newborns anymore. Thanks!

[ssmjlm]

I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in, but motherlove cream like 24/7 and air them out as much as she can.

She can also try the soothies that go in the fridge.

[lolo]

Does she understand why her pump caused this issue?

Suggestions:
-apno
-Medela hydrogel pads

[dbsk8dance]

I had to rest them (not nurse, only pump) for a few days. For me the issue was caused by nursing, though. I also used neosporine on then with earth mama nipple stuff.

I also aired them out as much as possible.

Hugs to her. So frustrating/ and painful.

[Ashley&Scott]

gel soothies
EMAB nipple butter
expressed milk on nipples
fresh air
ibuprofen

[Deleted]

It would be that the flanges are wrong (probably too small), not that the quality of the pump was sub-par.

Poor girl. I hope she heals quickly. Others suggested everything I can think of.

[karinothing]

Yeah, I think the pump was sized wrong. She is back now with a her hospital pump, and it has been two weeks or so and is still in a ton of pain. I will mention neosporin. She would just need to wash it off before pumping/feeding?

[arch01]

olive oil when she pumps (rub on the nipple or flange) to reduce friction.

air. lots and lots of air. after pumping or BFing, rub some BM on the nipples.

[karinothing]

Mar 28, 2014 9:38:48 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Two weeks? Whoa. I'd buy a few of these - they blow the ameda and medal soothies out of the water. www.amazon.com/Kendall-Aquaflo-Hydrogel-Wound-Dressing/dp/B0013Y6FNS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396017209&sr=8-1&keywords=kendall+hydrogel

Also, if she wants to try airing it out, then she needs to do so without nipple cream. Once you've covered the nipples with cream, you're no longer airing them out. I'm still not sure which was more helpful, so it's just a matter of following through with the approach you think you are.

Thanks. Yeah, she just relaly has no time to rest. Plus, I mean she has to pump for long periods, but nurse 3 babies. So nursing 3 babies takes like 60 minutes. her boobs just get a lot of use!

[karinothing]

Mar 28, 2014 9:46:53 GMT -5 tulips said:

How are her babies doing? I remember when you posted that they had been born early.

They are doing great! One of them has a bit of torticollis but they are otherwise all fine and on target for their adjusted age. The middle boy actually just rolled for the first time!

The two boys are so big! The largest boy is something like 95% for his actual age I feel like he weighs a full 7lbs more than his sister.

I think she is struggling a bit with the lack of any downtime/freetime, and I wish I could help out more.

[Jalapeñomel]

Can she use a nipple shield to nurse?