• Home
  • Brooke Burke
  • Must Have
  • Recalls
  • Contributors
  • Contests & Twitter Parties
  • Become An Insider
  • ModernMom Store

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • Ask Dr. Psych Mom
  • Cooking
  • Around The House
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
  • Career
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Hot Topics
You are here: Home / Parenting / Pregnancy / Conquering Breast and Nipple Soreness Related to Breastfeeding

Conquering Breast and Nipple Soreness Related to Breastfeeding

January 28, 2010 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

For many pregnant women who plan to breastfeed, one of the biggest concerns is, “will it hurt?” The answer is that the early weeks of breastfeeding are different for everyone. Some women might have just a little soreness, and still others will be lucky enough to not experience any discomfort! You can’t predict how your body will adjust to breastfeeding. You’ll have to wait for that first latch to find out. You can, however, gather as much information as possible so you can know what to do if you do experience some challenges in the first few days. Knowing that what you are experiencing is normal can be comforting and less isolating. Some tenderness is normal when you first begin breastfeeding. But if that turns to pain that won’t go away, adjustments should be made. Nipple soreness and pain are often cited as the main reason women discontinue breastfeeding, and many moms think that soreness just comes with the territory. But that’s not the case! Breastfeeding done right can be comfortable, and if you can believe it, even a calming, soothing experience. There are a few different things you can try to ease the discomfort.

Nipple pain

Incorrect positioning of the baby, which leads to a poor latch, is the most common cause of nipple pain when women are nursing. Make sure the baby’s head and mouth are even with the nipple, and that the baby is facing the breast. Also, your baby will need to take the nipple and a good part of the areola tissue into his or her mouth to properly latched on. This will help mitigate the problem of sore, cracked nipples.
If your nipples do become sore or cracked, applying lanolin will soothe and protect your nipple. Look for a brand that contains “medical grade lanolin” and contains no preservatives, so it doesn’t have to be wiped off before feeding the baby. There are also soothing gel pads which work in the same way as lanolin in that they soothe and protect delicate and sore nipples. Look for gel pad that has a cloth backing as that helps ease bra friction.

Engorgement

Swollen breasts, or engorgement, is another common complaint of breastfeeding moms. This is caused by a large supply of milk combined with extra blood and fluids supplied to your breasts in preparation for feeding. This temporary condition begins about the third day postpartum and is marked by breasts feeling heavy and warm. The skin will feel tight and may look shiny with a hardened areola. The best way to alleviate this discomfort is to nurse frequently. This might be difficult, as it’s hard for baby to latch onto an engorged breast. If it’s too difficult to nurse or latch on the baby, hot showers will help soften the breast tissue making it easier for baby to feed. You can also try to express some of the milk either by hand expression or with a manual or electric pump. Express just enough to soften the breast so the baby can properly latch on. After nursing, using ice packs can help keep the swelling down and relieve the pain. Flattened nipples can be another side effect of engorgement or swelling. Techniques such as “Reverse Pressure Softening” (La Leche League’s Web site has a great how-to guide) are very helpful in drawing out a flattened nipple and there are specialized products that are specifically designed to gently draw out your nipples so your baby can latch on easier and breastfeed, relieving the pressure.

Leaking

Another common problem you might experience in the early months of nursing is leaking. While it’s not painful, it can be embarrassing and the constant moisture against the skin might cause irritation. Nursing pads can be used to capture wetness and prevent sore nipples and irritation of the skin by keeping the moisture inside the pad and away from the breast.

Remember…

The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to fight through the pain! The stress of that alone could keep you from nursing as long as you planned to. Try the solutions I mention here, or call your lactation consultant and ask for help. To find a local lactation consultant in your area, see the International Lactation Consultant Association website: www.ILCA.org.

About the Author

Gina Ciagne is the Director of Breastfeeding Relations and Outreach for Lansinoh Laboratories. She is a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and a La Leche League International- trained breastfeeding peer counselor and has worked with many breastfeeding mothers. She is currently preparing to take the boards to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She is the mother of two breastfed children–a daughter and a son, each of whom she breastfed for over a year.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Pregnancy

ModernMom Staff

About ModernMom Staff

Contest & Twitter Parties

I Kill Giants $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

Win a Body Glove Performer 11 standup paddleboard

Search

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Why Coconut Oil Is So Good For Pregnant & Nursing Mothers

Why Coconut Oil Is So Good For Pregnant & Nursing Mothers

“Coconut oil contains large amounts of lauric acid, a …[Read More...]

ModernMom TV

Decoding a Man’s Hug

Decoding a Man’s Hug

During the course of your week, you may be hugged in many …[Read More...]

Male Fertility Tips

Male Fertility Tips

Men make up half of the equation in baby making, and it's …[Read More...]

How Does IVF Work?

How Does IVF Work?

"In vitro," which means "in glass," is a procedure in which …[Read More...]

How to Repair Scratches in Glass Tabletops

How to Repair Scratches in Glass Tabletops

Glass tabletops are gorgeous, yet you quickly discover that …[Read More...]

How to Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

How to Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

If you're like me, you're probably on the lookout for ways …[Read More...]

Signs That Your Toddler Has Been Touched Inappropriately

Signs That Your Toddler Has Been Touched Inappropriately

The thought of someone harming your toddler is enough to …[Read More...]

How to Stop a New Piercing From Itching

How to Stop a New Piercing From Itching

So, you just got a new piercing to change up your style a …[Read More...]

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2018 · Mom, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc. The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.