LittleO I felt like that too for a good while. What helped me AFTER I had mastered attachment and baby seemed to be feeding well but when i was experiencing delayed healing was to completely rest the offending breast for several days, as you actually mentioned. I wasn't using shields so I pumped off the breast for the period at usual feed times and fed off the happy breast. This worked for me as DD generally only feeds off one side at a time.
It takes time to get the cracks to heal be ause they reopen with each feed (well fine always have)
Dd used to make my nipple a lipstick shape, which was actually fine, but the for e of her suck did damage my nipple in the early days.
I used to twist my breast to get her to attach away from the crack (is the crack lying on the dude of her mouth not the gums) and that sped up the healing
Good luck. If that doesn't improve things, get swabbed for bacteria or thrush. Slow healing cracks can be linked to other issues
Hugs Hun. The pain is truly horrendous. I'm still not pain free at 5 months.
Get yourself some of the hydrogel breast discs (Coles have rite aid). They are AMAZING for healing. I've had terrible troubles with both my boys and these were the best thing by far.
Hang in there - it gets better. Remember you can have both panadol and nurofen - they really help. Nurofen esp helps with mastitis, don't forget you can get ultrasound treatment at the physio for the stubborn lumps.
You are an amazing mum, doing your absolute best for your baby. You should feel so proud.
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