Remedies For Treating Sore Nipples from Breastfeeding

Here are some of my tips for avoiding pain when dealing with sore nipples and making yourself more comfortable while your breastfeeding.

• Your baby is not lathing good 
• You are using wrong breastfeeding positions
• You may have inverted nipples
• You may be suffering from Thrush infections 
• You may be breastfeeding first time ( new mom)

What is the most common cause of sore nipples during breastfeeding?

This happens because, after your baby’s birth, your nipples are sensitive and adjusting to breastfeeding. 

Many new moms suffer from sore nipples because the newborn baby is not able to suck milk properly from breasts that called incorrect attachment.  

Also Read: How to get a good latch

Another reason breastfeeding pain happens

Thrush infection is another reason many women feel breast pain during breastfeeding. Breastfed babies can also develop thrush in their mouths.  

This happens when your nipples are cracked or damaged. Read more about thrush infection. 

How long will my nipples be sore from breastfeeding?

How long will my nipples be sore? Do not worry sore nipples do not last forever. The sore nipple developed for many reasons such as pumping or during breastfeeding. If you have sore nipples problems then Follow these tips to prevent and treat them.

Solving And Treating Nipple Pain While Breastfeeding

Follow these steps before and during breastfeeding your baby.

• If you are feeling a lot of pain and your nipples are very sore, you can use breast shields inside your bra (Breast Shell & Milk Catcher for Breastfeeding Relief). This way you can prevent contact between clothes and nipples.

• You can take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) 30 minutes before breastfeeding If your doctor advises you.
• You have to learn how to latch correctly. During breastfeeding, latching is most important because the baby may bite your nipples, or not getting enough milk.
• You can reduce pain by breastfeeding with fewer sore nipples for a few minutes. Then move to the other nipples. This works because the baby’s initial sucking is most vigorous. 
• You can express a little milk from your breasts right before breastfeeding. This will help the baby latch more easily and the baby will not suck vigorously. 
• You can change your baby’s positions with each feeding. This way you can move the baby sucking pressure with different parts of the breast. 

How to Heal Sore Damaged Nipples

General breast care and treatment for sore nipples

1. Use your little amount of breast milk on your sore nipples. You know breast milk contains many antibodies to fight infections, this will heal and keep healthy your nipples.
2. After breastfeeding your baby you must air dry your breasts. This way you can prevent cloth irritating sticking to the sore nipples.
3. You can use modified lanolin or other specially formulated ointments or creams made with hypoallergenic ingredients (such as Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding). 

• You can reduce pain by applying the cool compressor to your nipples after feeding. Use gel pads ( Lansinoh Laboratories Soothies Gel Pads) to dry your nipples. 

• To reduce the pain you should use a cotton bra with wide, nonelastic straps it will support your breasts without irritating the nipples.  

• Breastfeeding bras open at each cup to allow breastfeeding and to allow nipples to air-dry. If it is more comfortable, wear a bra at night for extra support. (Maternity Nursing Bra for Sleep Cotton Breastfeeding)
• You can also use a breastfeeding pillow to comfort your baby’s during feeding time.

If you do have sore, red nipples after trying home remedies for a day or two, call your doctor or a lactation consultant.

Avoid:

• Breastfeeding pads that have plastic liners.
• Most general-purpose lotions and creams. These are not recommended because their properties have an unknown effect on both your nipples and your baby.
• Washing your nipples with soap. Soap removes the nipples’ natural lubricants and will dry them out.

What is the fastest way to heal sore nipples?

Prevent sore nipples for a better breastfeeding experience:  

• First, the key to preventing nipple pain is a good latch. That means you must pull your breast-deep in a baby month. I have written “how to give a good latch to a baby” you must read. I have also added images for better understanding.
• You must breastfeed very often and make a baby timetable. This will help you in preventing vigorous nursing that may irritate your breasts more. 
• You should hand express some breast milk before breastfeeding your baby. In this way, your breast milk flows faster, and the baby gets better breast milk without getting to work hard. I have written “how to hand express breastmilk best techniques” you should read.

After breastfeeding you must use your hand to remove the baby’s mouth from your breast. You just have to use your finger between the baby’s gums and holding. it there as you are removing him from your breast to prevent pulling on your nipple. Read more

What to do when breastfeeding hurts

How do you make nipples stop hurting from breastfeeding? I have tried these when I was a new mom. You can try my tips when breastfeeding your baby. 

I have learned 5 breastfeeding positions, I have also used how to give good latch, hand expresses my breast milk. There are many products that can help me a lot when I had sore nipples you can try to. This is the fastest way to heal sore nipples?

1. If you have breast pain then use a hand express of breastmilk for 3 to 4 days, this way you can heal your breast.  
2. Gently rub the swollen region before breastfeeding.
3. After breastfeeding use an ice pack or cool compressor on the breast.
4. Use different breastfeeding positions to help drain all areas of your breast. 
5. Use medical-grade lanolin,  Lanolin ointment, or hydrogel dressings to encourage your skin to stay hydrated and protect the healing process without scabbing or crusting. If you are worried about your infant swallowing lanolin or other herbal balms, breast milk can be used to relieve moderate nipple pain.
6. Use Correct Latch Techniques for less pain. If you’re positive your nipple pain isn’t caused by broken or sore skin when breastfeeding, you and your baby will need to work on latching. An incorrect latch is stressful for your child and unpleasant for you.
7. Start feeding your baby frequently. Feeding your baby sometimes may sound obvious, but it’s important to keep to a daily feeding routine for a few reasons. Firstly, feeding your baby also avoids engorgement. Engorgement occurs when the breasts are so full. They’re going to feel firm and tender, and they will spill.
8. For less pain. a baby needs to eat 8 to 12 times every 24 hours during breastfeeding. Schedule a feeding session every 2.5 to 3 hours to keep your baby full and your breasts happy. Expressing a little milk right before feeding will relax the nipples, making it easier for your baby to latch.
9. To relieve breastfeeding pain from engorgement, remember to keep breast pump close by to express any extra milk.
10. Use Hot and Cold Therapies. If you find yourself engorged, there are few simple home remedies to relieve your breast pain. It can help to get your milk flowing by applying moist heat to your breasts or taking a wet, 5-minute shower. After feedings, apply a cold compress for extra relief from swelling. 
11.  For 10 minutes, add the compress to your breast and then remove it until the skin is warm to the touch. When required, repeat. 
12. A cold compress is added after feeding for additional swelling relief.
13. For 10 minutes, add the compress to your breast and then remove it until the skin is warm to the touch. When required, repeat.
14. Do not use cold compresses before feeding or while your chest is filled. Cold therapy will disrupt the ducts and increase the risk of infection and mastitis.
15. Use pain  Medication. Discuss with your doctor about breast pain and medication for relief.
16. Be sure to contact a doctor or a lactation consultant if you notice that you are regularly unable to feed your baby without discomfort.

Breastfeeding sometimes hurts, but starting breastfeeding pain should only be temporary when you and your baby learn to know each other. If the pain remains, then there are many implications such as bad latching strategies or anatomical defects that may be underlying and hinder the baby from eating well. Read more

watch youtube videos where moms share their experience and tips on how to reduce breast pain and more.

What can cause a woman to have nipple pain?

How To Avoid & Treat Sore Or Cracked Nipples Post Delivery

solving and treating nipple pain while breastfeeding

I have sore nipples what should I do?

How to Avoid Painful Breastfeeding | Breastfeeding

References

Breastfeeding – dealing with nipple problems | betterhealth.vic.gov.au. (n.d.). Www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/breastfeeding-dealing-with-nipple-problems#tips-on-caring-for-your-nipples

Breastfeeding and thrush. (2020, December 7). Nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-problems/thrush/

Breastfeeding: Sore Nipples. (n.d.). HealthLink BC. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/hw103462

Breastfeeding: Sore Nipples | CS Mott Children’s Hospital | Michigan Medicine. (n.d.). Www.mottchildren.org. Retrieved March 27, 2021, from https://www.mottchildren.org/health-library/hw103462#:~:text=To%20reduce%20pain%2C%20apply%20cool

Help for Sore Nipples | WIC Breastfeeding. (n.d.). Wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/sore-nipples

Kent, J., Ashton, E., Hardwick, C., Rowan, M., Chia, E., Fairclough, K., Menon, L., Scott, C., Mather-McCaw, G., Navarro, K., & Geddes, D. (2015). Nipple Pain in Breastfeeding Mothers: Incidence, Causes  and Treatments. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(10), 12247–12263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121012247

Sore nipples and nipple infections. (n.d.). Raising Children Network. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/breastfeeding-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-challenges/sore-nipples-infection