Sore Nipples During Breastfeeding: Causes, Treatment & More

Women shouldn’t ideally feel any pain during breastfeeding. That said, it isn’t rare for a new mom to complain of sore nipples during the initial few days of breastfeeding. It’s a mild nipple discomfort that goes away after the first 2 weeks. But the actual issue may be more serious than it seems. Sore nipples may trouble new moms not just physically but also emotionally. And this sometimes even impacts the mom-baby relationship.

So is there a way for you to ease this discomfort?

If you’re a new mom and dealing with this problem, then this blog is a must-read. We’ll uncover possible reasons behind your nipple soreness or pain. And also mention effective strategies to help deal with it. Keep reading until the end for a bonus tip on managing your sore nipples.

Let’s understand the causes first.

Sore Nipples Causes

• Moisture Loss  

Dried-out nipple skin for various reasons like infant suckling or harsh cleansers, can break your skin’s moisture barrier and cause nipple soreness.¹

• Improper Or Incomplete Latch

Your baby’s proper latching on to your nipples is very important for their optimum nutrition because only when a baby is latched on properly, can he/she get enough breastmilk. An improper latch can not just affect their nourishment by depriving them of sufficient breastmilk but also lead to painful breastfeeding and cause nipple soreness.¹ So how do you identify a proper latch? 

Here are a few signs:²

1. Pull their bottom lips and you should be able to see their tongue

2. Their ears should be wiggling. Sounds cute right?

3. Instead of chins, jaws should be moving in a circular motion

4. No smacking noises but you should hear swallowing

5. When done, the baby comes off satisfied (or asleep) and your nipples stay in shape

• Body Position

Finding a comfortable nursing position that doesn’t put pressure on your body and aligns the baby closely with your breast will help them take a proper latch. And this will ensure a painless breastfeeding experience. A few different positions that you can experiment with include:² 

1. Cross-Cradle Hold

      2. Cradle Hold

     3. Football Hold

     4. Side Lying

• Baby’s Tongue Ties

When your little one’s frenulum (the skin that attaches his tongue to mouth) is shorter than usual or heart-shaped, experts term it as a tongue tie. This also causes difficulty in latching on and may lead to sore nipples. When this seems to be the case, consult a doctor for the best possible solution.²

• Flat Or Inverted Nipples

These are anatomical anomalies. Inverted nipples, rather than being protruded outwards are directed inwards. This might be another possible reason which can make breastfeeding difficult for the baby & lead to developing sore nipples.^{2 3}

• Abruptly Ending A Breastfeeding Session

Placing a finger near the baby’s mouth is how you can break suction. If you terminate breastfeeding session without doing so, it may give you sore nipples.³

• Wearing Tight-fitting Bras

Now this is mostly common sense. A tight piece of underclothing is sure to cause abrasion or friction & give you sore nipples. So we’d advise you to wear a loose and comfortable bra that doesn’t press or harshly rub against the nipples.³

• Thrush Infection

Cracked nipples may act as gateways for candida (a type of yeast). Candida may give you a thrush infection. And this can cause pain during and after breastfeeding in mothers who previously weren’t facing any. Thrush infection can be transmitted between moms and their little ones and immense hygiene measures are very important during the course of treatment.⁴

So are there ways to manage these problems? Indeed! Read on to find out.

Sore Nipples Prevention & Treatment

• Keep Your Nipples Hydrated

Hydrating your skin is one of the best ways to guard against sore nipples.⁵ To keep them hydrated, consider opting for a natural, breastfeeding-safe nipple butter or cream, for example, AreoVeda’s Natural Nipple Butter that will prevent moisture loss and keep the nipple area soft and supple. AreoVeda’s Natural nipple butter is made of natural ingredients like ghee and turmeric which have soothing, healing and hydrating properties.

• Change Nursing Positions 

Alter seating, if a particular breastfeeding position does not latch the baby properly onto your nipples. Consult your doctor or midwife for advice. Or try any of the previously mentioned options to see if they work better for you.⁵

• Wear Loose Clothing

As discussed earlier, to prevent abrasion try wearing breathable nursing bras and allow breastmilk to completely air dry first before getting dressed.⁵

• Keep Nursing Pads Clean & Dry

Nursing pad hygiene is very important. These pads are used to absorb any extra leaking milk from your nipples and can become a breeding ground for germs easily because of the warmth and moisture.^{5 6}

• Use Mild Cleansers

Harsh soaps and other personal care products which are loaded with chemicals may further irritate or dry out your sore nipples. So this is also something you need to take care of and avoid.⁵ 

Conclusion

Breastfeeding - a beautiful mom-baby bonding experience may become troublesome as a result of sore nipples. But if you do it right, follow precautions & be mindful, you and your baby are sure to get the best out of it. 

Make use of the suggestions we shared above and do tell us in the comments about the ones that worked the best for you. But, please note that if your nipple soreness doesn’t get better with these tips or seems to get worse, you must consult a doctor.

Also, don’t forget to include AreoVeda’s Nipple Butter in your personal care routine when breastfeeding, to get relief from sore nipple woes. It’s made of 99.7% natural ingredients and is absolutely safe for you and your baby.

For more details visit www.areoveda.in