Help For Painful Nipples From Breastfeeding

Ask a new mom what the hardest part of breastfeeding is and she’s likely to tell you it’s the pain from breastfeeding. And while pain during breastfeeding can come from different sources, the major source is sore nipples.

Sore nipples are a common problem for both new and experienced moms because their nipples are continuously being suckled by their newborns. If you have ever put your finger inside a newborn’s mouth you’ll know that the strength with which they suckle is far stronger than you would imagine.

Nipple pain can also be caused by improper latching. You may want to consult your local hospital for a breastfeeding clinic or contact a lactation specialist to determine if your baby is nursing properly.  

Is there help? The good news is yes. It may take some time to get your nipples back to a pain-free state but it can and will happen.

Creams

The most common solution to nipple soreness is soothing creams or ointments. These days it is not hard to find natural creams that can help to heal cracked, bruised and bleeding nipples. Most health food stores and many specialty baby stores will have at least one. If you can’t find them in stores near you they can be ordered from the internet. 

Many of these creams are made with healing ingredients such as calendula, extra virgin olive oil, shea butter, and beeswax. All of these ingredients are safe for baby to ingest.  They should be applied after baby nurses and left on the nipple. You do not need to wash them off before baby feeds again.

Pumping

Once your newborn is 4 weeks old (or if your practitioner advises you can do so earlier) you can begin to pump your breast milk and give it to baby via a bottle.  The reason that waiting until this point is recommended is so that baby has a chance to develop a proper breastfeeding habit and wont be as likely to neglect the breast in favor of bottle in the future. This phenomenon known as nipple confusion arises when baby gets used to the bottle which requires a different sucking technique than breastfeeding. If a baby becomes used to the bottle they may prefer it because it is easier to extract milk and subsequently they may refuse bottles in the future.  

The decision to pump doesn’t have to be an all or nothing one. If you are only having trouble with pain on one nipple then you can elect to pump one side while continuing to breastfeed from the other. Or you can still breastfeed from the sore side but do so less frequently. By pumping more from sore nipples you can give your nipples a chance to heal. Once they have healed you can go back to breastfeeding exclusively if that is what you prefer. And once nipples have healed properly most women report that their pain doesn’t return.

Try Different Breastfeeding Positions

If you regularly feed your baby in the same position it is likely that specific areas of the nipple will be damaged the most.  This is because the suction from baby’s mouth hits the nipple in the same area each time. By changing your baby’s position each time he or she feeds you can change the area that receives the most pressure. This will give sore areas a much needed break.  

Don’t Let Baby Linger

Many babies like to stay at the breast for much longer than they need to. They stay at the nipple for extended periods of time as it provides a source of comfort. Do not let them do this if you have nipple pain. Rather, give them your clean finger to suck on as it provides them with the comfort they seek while saving your damaged nipples. 

Rule out Yeast

In some cases sore nipples are caused by the presence of yeast. This condition is also known as candida. If yeast is the cause of your suffering then diet and lifestyle are to blame and to feel relief you need to put yourself on a strict diet removing all sugar, yeast, alcohol and refined grains.

In addition it is wise to supplement with probiotics which will improve the balance of intestinal flora. Garlic and oil of oregano can also be used to help fight this problematic yeast.

What about Inverted Nipples?

If you have inverted nipples rest assured that you can still breastfeed. However the problem with inverted nipples is that because they are not fully extended, your baby has to pull the nipple out with suction. And this extra suction on the part of baby causes more pressure on the nipples which leads to tenderness and pain.

To minimize the pain caused to inverted nipples it is advised to use a pump before putting baby to breast to bring out the nipple. Once the nipple has been pulled out with the pump which is gentler on the nipple, baby wont have to work as hard to access your breast milk.

Although it is tempting to abandon breastfeeding when faced with nipple pain, keep in mind that things will get better with the appropriate steps. Breastfeeding is not easy – contrary to what many expect – but the rewards for  baby and mother are ever lasting.