Sore nipples w/ older baby

[Guest guest]

I have permission to share. I saw mother last Thursday and she has sore nipples

and redness in the same spot on both breasts (mirroring). Her baby is 9 months

old and growing well, oral anatomy looks fine. He has two bottom teeth, the

soreness and redness is actually where the top of the mouth hits. It does not

look like thrush to me (but nothing can be ruled out, of course), and her baby

seems to be *very* distracted, and I noticed he pulls like they do when they're

trying to see things, turning the head, bringing the nipple with him. We talked

about ways that she might work with the distraction and ways to maybe soothe the

nipples in the meantime. She reports that it's getting worse on the right side

and the left seems to be getting a bit better, but the right side is starting to

blister. I cannot see this mother right now because I've come down with

pneumonia in the last 24 hours. I can refer her out, but I know she would

prefer to hear suggestions from me. I would love to hear some input on this. I

really don't get a lot of this with the older babies unless it's that

distractedness and it doesn't tend to cause a lot of damage with the mothers

I've seen.

Thanks in advance!

, IBCLC, LLLL, DONA-Trained Doula

Mother Nature Birth & Lactation

http://www.mothernaturelactation.com

Statesville, NC

[Guest guest]

In my experience, this happens because baby is longer and mom hasn't adjusted yet. Baby is having to "dive down" into the breast and that causes the upper gums or teeth to put pressure on the tissue. I made a diagram to explain this. It's from the mother's perspective looking down so the brown "mountains" are breasts!I especially see this at 9 months when baby lengthens out. Mom has gotten used to positioning baby's body in a certain place and now has to readjust. For taller toddlers, most of the child's body will be off of mom's lap. But I see this sometimes even early on, any time after baby has had a growth spurt. It also happens if a nursing pillow is pushing against the baby's head so the baby's chin has to be tucked in.

****** Palo Alto, CA

On Mar 8, 2011, at 4:14 AM, wrote:Sore nipples w/ older babyPosted by: " , IBCLC" ibclc@... ibclcerinMon Mar 7, 2011 8:36 am (PST)I have permission to share. I saw mother last Thursday and she has sore nipples and redness in the same spot on both breasts (mirroring). Her baby is 9 months old and growing well, oral anatomy looks fine. He has two bottom teeth, the soreness and redness is actually where the top of the mouth hits. It does not look like thrush to me (but nothing can be ruled out, of course), and her baby seems to be *very* distracted, and I noticed he pulls like they do when they're trying to see things, turning the head, bringing the nipple with him. We talked about ways that she might work with the distraction and ways to maybe soothe the nipples in the meantime. She reports that it's getting worse on the right side and the left seems to be getting a bit better, but the right side is starting to blister. I cannot see this mother right now because I've come down with pneumonia in the last 24 hours. I can refer her out, but I know she would prefer to hear suggestions from me. I would love to hear some input on this. I really don't get a lot of this with the older babies unless it's that distractedness and it doesn't tend to cause a lot of damage with the mothers I've seen. Thanks in advance! , IBCLC, LLLL, DONA-Trained DoulaMother Nature Birth & Lactationhttp://www.mothernaturelactation.comStatesville, NC

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ToddlerNursing.pdf

[Guest guest]

yep! I see this all the time! Beebe, M.Ed., IBCLC Lactation Consultant/Postpartum Doula www.second9months.comBreastfeeding Between the Lines: http://second9months.wordpress.com/Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesecond9months--- Subject: Re:

Re: Sore nipples w/ older babyTo: Cc: "CH" Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 2:15 PM

I like your diagram, . I also love how the new WAB uses the 9-18 month "phase" as distinct, throwing the old 12 month paradigm to the wind. I find this a useful thought exercise.

In my experience, this happens because baby is longer and mom hasn't adjusted yet. Baby is having to "dive down" into the breast and that causes the upper gums or teeth to put pressure on the tissue. I made a diagram to explain this. It's from the mother's perspective looking down so the brown "mountains" are breasts!

I especially see this at 9 months when baby lengthens out. Mom has gotten used to positioning baby's body in a certain place and now has to readjust. For taller toddlers, most of the child's body will be off of mom's lap. But I see this sometimes even early on, any time after baby has had a growth spurt. It also happens if a nursing pillow is pushing against the baby's head so the baby's chin has to be tucked in.

****** Palo Alto, CA

On Mar 8, 2011, at 4:14 AM, wrote:

Sore nipples w/ older baby

Posted by: " , IBCLC" ibclc@... ibclcerin

Mon Mar 7, 2011 8:36 am (PST)

I have permission to share. I saw mother last Thursday and she has sore nipples and redness in the same spot on both breasts (mirroring). Her baby is 9 months old and growing well, oral anatomy looks fine. He has two bottom teeth, the soreness and redness is actually where the top of the mouth hits. It does not look like thrush to me (but nothing can be ruled out, of course), and her baby seems to be *very* distracted, and I noticed he pulls like they do when they're trying to see things, turning the head, bringing the nipple with him. We talked about ways that she might work with the distraction and ways to maybe soothe the nipples in the meantime. She reports that it's getting worse on the right side and the left seems to be getting a bit better, but the right side is starting to blister. I cannot see this mother right now because I've come down with pneumonia in the last 24 hours. I can refer her out, but I know she would prefer to hear suggestions

from me. I would love to hear some input on this. I really don't get a lot of this with the older babies unless it's that distractedness and it doesn't tend to cause a lot of damage with the mothers I've seen.

Thanks in advance! , IBCLC, LLLL, DONA-Trained DoulaMother Nature Birth & Lactation

http://www.mothernaturelactation.comStatesville, NC