OUCH.. cracked and bleeding, thats what happened to my nipples!  When my son was 5 days old he thru-up all the breastmilk I had just fed him and there was blood in it, so of course we freaked and rushed to the emergency.  They told us the blood had come from me… WHAAT?!  It was so painful in the beginning I wanted to give up and just feed him formula but I just pushed thru the pain unti about 6-8 weeks when it stopped hurting.  I want to stop breastfeeding now that he’s almost 8 months.. I think this is a good time to stop since all the books and doctors say you should breastfeed till a least 6 months, so we’re well past that.. but the other day I read that you can continue breastfeeding to 24 months or longer…. these people are outta their minds!!!!!