Avoiding and Managing Sore Nipples
Author: Carla Snuggs
Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for your baby as it contains all the nutrients your baby needs, it is easily digested, and is efficiently used by your child's body. In addition, breastfeeding enhances bonding between mother and child.
Unfortunately, a common problem during breastfeeding is sore nipples. Your nipples may become tender when you begin to breastfeed your baby. While most cases of nipple tenderness only last a day or so, if your child sucks vigorously or he or she is positioned incorrectly when they are breastfeeding, you may experience continual tenderness and cracking. There are, fortunately, some ways you can avoid sore nipples as well as manage nipple soreness.
How to Avoid Sore Nipples
- Make sure your child is latching on correctly to your breast every time he or she nurses. Incorrect positioning and attachment will cause pain and soreness. According to Deb Donovan, IBCLC, it's important to support your breast throughout a feed. "After tickling your baby's lips with your nipple, wait until she opens her mouth wide before you bring her to your breast. It's important that she take in a good mouthful of breast, with around 1/2 to 1 inch of your areola," says Donovan.
- Invest in breast shells. They are worn inside the bra and prevent your nipples from contact with bra fabric.
- After nursing, apply Lansinoh. This is a topical nipple treatment endorsed by La Leche League International. Treatment with Lansinoh may prevent nipple cracking.
- It is very important to stay relaxed. Your baby will have to suck harder if there is tension, while when you are relaxed, milk letdown is improved.
Soothing and Healing Sore Nipples
In What to Expect When You're Expecting, authors Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel suggest the following strategies for dealing with nipple tenderness:
- Heal sore nipples with breast milk. After a feeding, express a few drops of milk, rub it on your nipples, and let nipples dry as this will help heal them.
- Take acetaminophen before nursing to relieve breast pain.
- Give your nipples air. Let your sore nipples breathe (expose them to air) after breast feeding or, for extreme soreness, wear breast shells.
- The properties in tea may help relieve and heal sore nipples. Take two wet, cool tea bags and place one on each nipple.
The pain associated with nursing is usually very temporary. Understand that traumatized nipples may be at risk for breast infections. If nipple soreness lasts beyond the first week of breastfeeding or increases, be sure to see your practitioner.
