For any mom who joins the breastfeeding club, she knows that she's up for a major commitment that won't necessarily be easy. But what many don't realize is that even after they get the hang of things, it can still be a killer in the nipple department. Painful nipples can be torture for nursing moms, leaving them begging for relief — but luckily there are a ton of options to make the breastfeeding journey feel a bit more magical.
Yes, breastfeeding can be hard, but it shouldn't be painful unless there's a problem. Nipples can get dried out, cracked, infected, bloody, and just plain sad. There's nothing worse than not only being in pain but also trying to stay strong for baby and keep nursing through it. Knowing not only what can cause these issues but also how to speed up the healing process, or how to get some much-needed relief in the meantime, can feel beyond life-saving for a nursing mom with throbbing pain. Although it's important to consult a doctor or lactation consultant if a breastfeeding mom is having problems, these 40 tips can make the difference between wanting to pull out hair and finally starting to feel better. Check out these diverse ways to nip that nipple pain in the bud before it gets to be too much to handle.
Breastfeeding Nipple Placement Tip
Nipple placement is everything with breastfeeding, and the further back it is in a baby's mouth to ensure a deep latch will help prevent compression and pain.
Find Out If They're Tongue-Tied
Breastfeeding a baby with a tongue-tie or lip-tie can be incredibly uncomfortable, especially if mom doesn't know what the problem is. This can cause painful or damaged nipples, problems latching or maintaining their latch for an extended amount of time, and bouts of mastitis or thrush.
Reposition Without Unlatching
Instead of unlatching them to try reposition, it may be helpful to change positions without completely breaking that suction because it can cause nipple damage.
Breast Massage
When a breastfeeding mom is suffering from a plugged milk duct or mastitis, massaging her painful breast and nipple with a vibrator can help pass the clog and soothe the pain.
Start Feedings Before They're Starving
The hungrier a breastfeeding baby is, the more aggressive their latch can be in the beginning as they gobble down that milk. To have a kinder experience on those sore nipples, try feeding baby before they get super hungry.
Ice Before Breastfeeding
Using some ice to numb the nipples before breastfeeding can help make painful nursing sessions feel more manageable.
Try Breaking the Latch Differently
After a baby finishes breastfeeding, how a mom breaks the suction can damage her nipples. To prevent pain caused from unlatching, moms should try using their little finger in the corner of their baby's mouth or moving their chin.
Try Different Positions
Cracked or painful nipples can be a sign that baby isn't positioned or latched correctly. Try out different positions until finding a way to breastfeeding that works both for baby and boob.
Feed on the Other Side First
Since breastfeeding babies tend to have a more aggressive latch when they are hungry, start nursing on the side that hurts less first before transitioning them to the painful nipple if needed.
Stop the Comfort Sucking
Try offering a finger for them to comfort suck on instead of letting them pass time on the boob in order to give that nipple a break.
Coconut Oil
People swear by coconut oil for pretty much everything, so why would treating nipple pain from breastfeeding be any different?
Pat Dry After Feedings
To help prevent nipple irritation, pat them dry after each breastfeeding session.
Break Out the Breast Shells
These plastic domes can prevent anything from touching those cracked nipples to give them a much-needed chance to heal.
Consider a Nipple Shield
Although people have mixed opinions about nipple shields, temporarily using them is what some breastfeeding moms need to do.
Check for Thrush
Thrush can cause a fungal infection of the nipple, areola, or breast that's incredibly painful if it goes untreated.
Look for Vasospasm
Vasospasm or mammary constriction syndrome happens when the blood vessels tighten and can cause serious nipple pain during breastfeeding.
Air Them Out
Make sure that both nipples are completely dry after feedings before rushing to put the bra back on. Sometimes, fresh air is exactly what they need after breastfeeding.
Hand Express for a Break
Give those sad nipples a chance to heal by skipping a few breastfeeding sessions and instead hand expressing milk.
Cabbage Leaves
Many breastfeeding mom swear by using cabbage leaves to help with engorgement and weaning but some also find it soothing for sore nipples.
Change Nursing Pads Often
To help keep those painful nipples dry so that they can heal faster, breastfeeding moms should try changing their nursing pads often.
Use Warm Compresses
Breastfeeding moms shouldn't underestimate the soothing power of warm compresses on their aching nipples.
Hydrogel Pads
These protective pads offer cool cushioning to a breastfeeding mom's nipples to help promote healing.
Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream
A small amount of this nipple cream can soothe and protect sore nipples after breastfeeding.
Basil Leaves
For a home remedy, breastfeeding moms can make a paste from basil leaves to help treat their dry nipples.
Salt Water Rinse
After nursing, breastfeeding moms can soak their painful nipples in a salt water solution to help not only soothe them but also promote healing.
Olive Oil
Not only is olive oil soothing for times when breastfeeding moms aren't nursing but it's also safe to have on while baby is eating.
Look for a Milk Bleb
Breastfeeding moms get milk blebs or blister when milk blocks the pore, and it can be treated with warm compresses and clearing the skin.
Take Pain Medicine Before
Taking pain medicine like Tylenol or Ibuprofen 30 minutes before breastfeeding can help with nipple pain when it's time to start nursing.
Treat Bacterial Nipple Infection
Cracked nipples can cause breast infections because bacteria from baby's mouth can make its way into mom's breast while breastfeeding. It's important for breastfeeding moms to talk to their doctors if they're in pain.
Aloe Vera
Gel from an aloe vera leaf can help treat painful nipples that plague breastfeeding moms.
Soaked Tea Bags
Some breastfeeding moms find nipple pain relief from tea bags soaked in warm water. They find that placing the wet tea bags on their breast and letting the tannins absorb helps to ease the pain.
Calendula Cream
This soothing cream is both hypoallergenic and moisturizing. It might be exactly what a breastfeeding mom's nipples need!
Put Some Breast Milk on It
Breast milk is considered liquid gold for a reason: It's magical and can help heal those cracked nipples if mom expresses some extra milk on them after little one is done eating.
Only Feed on One Side for a Bit
Sometimes it's important for moms to listen to their bodies. If a nipple is causing some serious pain, give that boob a break for a few feedings to let it recover.
Earth Mama Natural Nipple Butter
This nipple butter has breastfeeding moms thanking the heavens because it moisturizes dry and tender nipples that are begging for some relief.
Skip Soap
Despite the best of intentions, cleaning breastfeeding boobs with soap can cause more harm than good. Lathering up the suds while showering can actually dry out nipples even more and cause irritated cracks.
Organic Nipple Balm
Honest Company's Organic Nipple Balm will nourish those tender nipples and quickly become a breastfeeding mom's best friend.
Nursing pillow
Propping baby up with a pillow while they breastfeed will help them be level with the nipple and prevent them from tugging it down.
Watch for Boredom
Sometimes babies start biting when they're teething or comfort sucking, which no nipple will enjoy. Watch for signs that they're finishing up and remove them from the boob before it becomes a problem.
Try Dry Heat
Dr. Jack Newman suggests warming the nipples with dry heat like a hair dryer for after each feeding to help with painful nipple reactions.
