Nipple Laceration

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Nipple Laceration

Occasionally, with vigorous nursing or newborn biting, a nipple laceration will occur. This requires careful attention to avoid a major wound infection or breast abscess.

The nipple should be kept very clean and breast feeding on that side stopped to allow the nipple to completely heal.

Instruct the patient to watch for any increasing tenderness or redness, which may be evidence of a developing infection.

Routine administration of antibiotics are generally not necessary unless the laceration is already infected or grossly contaminated.

Nipple Laceration

Same nipple, 7 months later

This information is provided by The Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates, LLC. is a private organization, not affiliated with any governmental agency. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Brookside Associates or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. All material presented here is unclassified.