The causes: When baby is latched well, the nipple goes deep into baby's mouth, right to the back. The baby's tongue does most of the work in getting the milk out; if the nipple is not far enough back, the tongue will rub or press on the nipple and cause pain.
If you get sore nipples when breastfeeding, it's usually because your baby is not positioned and attached properly at the breast. It's important not to stop breastfeeding. With help, feeding should quickly become more comfortable again.
Holding your breast between your index and middle fingers while latching on, too close to the nipple – Try supporting your breast between your thumb and fingers, keeping your fingers well back from the areola. Sometimes shaping your breast slightly to match the oval of your baby's mouth can help.
The pain lasts for a short time, usually around 1 week. Soreness that continues throughout the breastfeed, or lasts for more than 1 week of breastfeeding, is not normal.
Incorrect attachment of the baby on the breast is the most common cause of nipple pain from breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is possible if you have inverted nipples, mastitis, breast/nipple thrush, eczema or nipple vasospasm. Avoid soaps and shampoos during showering to help prevent nipple dryness.
With your baby's head tilted back and chin up, lift him or her to touch your nipple. The nipple should rest just above the baby's upper lip. Wait for your baby to open very wide, then "scoop" the breast by placing the lower jaw on first. Now tip your baby's head forward and place the upper jaw well behind your nipple.
See your doctor if the pain doesn't improve or you notice any of these signs: Severe swelling. A lump in the breast. Redness and warmth, which could indicate an infection.
Sore nipples are common with breastfeeding. But breastfeeding should not hurt. And the skin on your nipple should not break down any more than the skin anywhere on your body should break down. Mild soreness or sensitivity is fairly common for the first week or 2 of breastfeeding.
The latch is comfortable and pain free. Your baby's chest and stomach rest against your body, so that baby's head is straight, not turned to the side. Your baby's chin touches your breast. Your baby's mouth opens wide around your breast, not just the nipple.
Symptoms: Breast or nipple pain that's stabbing, burning, or feels like pins and needles—both during and after nursing—can be the result of a vasospasm, when contracting blood cells reduces blood flow to a particular area. You may also notice your nipples turning white, then blue or red.
Laid back positioning.
This position is often the most comfortable. A study by Milinco, et al (2018) showed that these positions can reduce the numbers of mothers experiencing nipple pain and damage by 58%. In these positions you recline back to an angle of between 15-65 degrees and baby lays on his tummy on your body.
If you experience some nipple soreness in the first few weeks of breastfeeding, you're not alone. It's common for women to experience some nipple discomfort in the early stages of breastfeeding, but that initial tenderness typically goes away before long.
Breast pain
This pain will appear when the milk lets down, soon after the feeding begins; it usually decreases over time and is gone within the first month after birth.
Apply expressed milk to your nipples.
Breast milk has healing properties that can ease irritation, and it doesn't need to be washed off before nursing. However, don't do this if your nipple soreness is due to thrush, because applying breast milk can encourage yeast growth.
“The first four to six weeks are the toughest, then it starts to settle down,” says Cathy. “And when you get to three months, breastfeeding gets really easy – way easier than cleaning and making up a bottle.
Your breasts will soon “toughen up” a bit and get used to your baby nursing. Until then, it's normal to feel a small amount of discomfort while your baby latches on and pulls your nipple and areola into his or her mouth. This discomfort should only last for approximately 30 to 45 seconds after latching.
In most cases, sore nipples are caused by hormonal changes from pregnancy or menstruation, allergies or friction from clothing. In rare cases, it can be a sign of a serious disease like breast cancer. Your healthcare provider should evaluate any pain that's accompanied by discharge or lumps as soon as possible.
There are many possible causes of nipple pain, most of which are not a cause for concern. Many normal everyday activities can cause nipple pain, from sex to a new detergent. Routine hormonal changes like your period, pregnancy, or nursing can also lead to nipple pain. Rarely, nipple pain can be a sign of breast cancer.
One of the biggest reasons your baby prefers a shallow latch may be because of an oversupply of milk. With a quick letdown of milk, she'd rather purse her lips and take a few sips than feel like she's guzzling so much. A simple trick is to nurse her reclined.
Baby keeps pulling away while breastfeeding
Once the let-down starts, some breastfed babies struggle to keep up with the fast flow of milk. If they're overwhelmed, this can make them pull away. Your baby could also be suffering reflux, which can also cause symptoms such as pain, fussiness, and unsettling behavior.
If your baby did not finish the bottle, the leftover breast milk can still be used within 2 hours after the baby is finished feeding. After 2 hours, leftover breast milk should be thrown away. To avoid wasting unfed milk, consider storing, thawing, and warming milk in smaller amounts.
Your body will eventually build up a callous (not as thick as your foot callous) in about 2 weeks. Then breastfeeding gets significantly less painful (most of the time).
Skin irritation
The increased saliva and the enzymes in it can irritate nipples. This can be lessened by rinsing the baby's saliva off the nipples after the feeding.