Sore Nipples While Breastfeeding: Prevention and Treatment
Sore nipples during breastfeeding are nothing new or unusual for nursing mothers.
It takes some time for the baby to get used to the proper way of latching on the nipple, and that can be more than a little painful. Mild discomfort is usual in the beginning, but although breastfeeding should become more and more comfortable as the weeks go by, itâs not always the case. Breasts can become even more tender and the nipples can easily get irritated and sore.
If your nipples are cracked and bleeding, besides pain and discomfort, you could be facing slower milk let-down and low milk supply.
What Causes Sore Nipples?
Poor latching is usually the number one reason for sore nipples, while the other common cause is an improper use of breast pumps. Now, your baby can also just be a biter if thatâs your luck, but sometimes cracked, tender, or bleeding nipples can be the telltale sign of an infection.
How Can You Treat Sore Nipples?
If your nipples get sore, crack or bleed while you're breastfeeding or pumping, you can try a combination of the best preventive practices and a good quality nipple cream. But let's start with prevention.
How to Make Sure Your Baby is Latching Properly
As we mentioned earlier, poor latching is the number one reason for irritated nipples. But a good latch doesnât only mean a healthy nipple, it also means that the baby is feeding successfully and getting those nutrients that are so vital for him or her in those early months of development. Thatâs why you should make sure that your baby has the entire nipple deep inside its mouth along with certain areas of the areola that surrounds it.
If the baby latches solely to the nipple, they will also use their gums for pressure in order to get more breast milk. This, in turn, will cause chafing on the nipple, because the baby will be suckling only on the sensitive part of it. It will also mean that your baby doesnât get as much milk as it needs - if itâs not latching properly, it also canât fully squeeze the milk ducts that are positioned under the areola.
So, learning how to better latch the baby on your nipple is crucial for better milk let-down and prevention of nipple irritation.
The Importance of a Good Breastfeeding Position
Minding and maintaining a good breastfeeding position will only make the process more comfortable for both mom and baby and it will also help with a better latching.
The so-called âcradleâ, âcross-cradleâ and âfootballâ positions are some of the good ones you start with when you are new to breastfeeding. The nature of the positions they give you a nice view of both your babyâs mouth and your nipple.
Some helpful items might be the nursing pillow and also the nursing footstool. They help lift up your lap and bring your baby closer to the level of your breast.
Breastfeeding positions with the baby up are generally more comfortable than positions where the mother leans over - theyâll be easier on your back and neck if the mother is leaned too long, it can easily cause back and neck strain.
Itâs also highly recommended that you switch breastfeeding positions with each feeding, meaning to alternate between several ones every time you nurse so that you can prevent accumulation of pressure on one place on your nipple and protect it from further rubbing.
âSoftenâ Breasts for a Better Latching
During the first weeks of breastfeeding itâs also common to experience a build-up of breast milk in the milk ducts, also known as âbreast engorgementâ. This can also happen if your milk ducts produce too much milk, or if you happen to miss a feeding.
Engorged breasts are hard and swollen, and this makes it difficult for the baby to latch on properly. However, you can easily handle this by removing smaller amounts of breast milk before each round of feeding â this will make your breasts softer, which will also help the newborn to attach better to the breast.
Frequent Breastfeeding
Missing a feeding can make cause breast engorgement and a poor latch, which is why itâs important to try to breastfeed (or pump) regularly - every 2-3 hours. Babies digest the breast milk rather fast, so they also get hungry faster- and thatâs exactly why you need to breastfeed often throughout the day. Hungry babies can also suck more aggressively when the time for feeding comes, which can further irritate the nipple.
Be Careful When Removing the Baby From Your Breast
When they learn the proper way of latching, babies create a seal between their mouth and the breast, which can be quite strong. When theyâre done feeding, sometimes they let go on their own and sometimes remain attached - they may even fall asleep like that.
When this happens, itâs important to remember that you shouldnât pull the baby off your breast by yourself, because it can irritate and cause damage to the nipple.
Instead, try to learn the proper technique for removing the baby from your breast. This includes safely breaking the seal of the latch by very gently placing one of your fingers into one side of the babyâs mouth.
Use Your Breast Pump the Right Way
Breast pumps are commonly used throughout the breastfeeding months, sometimes occasionally, sometimes to boost milk supply, and sometimes exclusively, especially if youâre a working mom on the go. When using a breast pump itâs important to learn to use it correctly to prevent sore nipples.
One of the things you need to be careful of are the pump flanges or pump shields, which come in different sizes. Make sure that you have the right size for your nipple so that it can fit properly and make the pumping process comfortable.
Another thing to watch out for is the pumpâs suction and speed. If itâs too high it can lead to pain and discomfort, and can even lessen the milk suction content. Itâs better to start with a slower level instead and adjust it accordingly afterward.
The pain breast pumping can cause is precisely why you need to pick a good, quality breast pump - no matter whether youâve decided to go for manual or electric. If you need any help with that, check out our guide on the
Best Breast Pumps for 2019.
What to Do if the Deed Is Done: Nipple Creams
Of course, sometimes itâs impossible to prevent sore nipples and when all else fails you will always have nipple creams to ease the discomfort and soothe the pain - and thatâs why weâve compiled a
Guide on the Best Reviewed Nipple Creams to help you out.