8 Ways to Overcome Sore Nipples When Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Becomes Smooth!

Sore nipples while breastfeeding is one of the complaints that is often expressed by breastfeeding mothers , especially at the beginning of the breastfeeding process. Although it is normal to experience, if not immediately addressed this condition can certainly be very disturbing.

If you are experiencing this, you are not alone. In fact, as many as 90% of new mothers will experience sore nipples or sore nipples while breastfeeding.

Generally, breastfeeding mothers will feel the peak of pain on the fifth day of breastfeeding and then it will heal on its own.

How to Deal with Sore Nipples While Breastfeeding

1. Compress and Apply Breast Milk Around the Nipples

Research shows that warm, moist temperatures can soothe sore nipples and may help the skin heal faster.

Use a clean washcloth or cloth diaper under warm (not hot) water, wring out the excess water and place directly over the nipple.

When cooled to room temperature, repeat the process. Many mothers find this method also helps in relieving swelling, which can accompany sore nipples.

Another natural way to help reduce pain and the healing process of nipple wounds, don’t forget to apply breast milk around the nipple and areola area . 

Once it has dried, you can wear your nursing bra again .

2. Breastfeeding Position

One of the factors that causes discomfort and pain when breastfeeding is due to an incorrect breastfeeding position.

The key is that the baby’s chest is pressed against the mother’s chest, and the baby’s body position (starting from the ears, shoulders, to the buttocks) is in a straight line.

If you are experiencing pain, consider trying another position to see if this allows you & your baby to create a better environment.

3. Attachment of Mother and Baby

Another thing that must be considered when breastfeeding, of course, is how is the attachment, is it correct or not? In this case, IDAI said there are several things that need to be considered.

Where the baby’s chin should touch the mother’s breast, correct attachment is also indicated if the baby’s lower lip is turned outward and the baby’s mouth is wide open.

In addition, more of the lower areola enters the baby’s mouth than the upper areola.

If the breastfeeding attachment is good, usually the baby will breastfeed well, suck slowly and without rushing, and there will not even be a clicking sound.

The baby’s cheeks will look puffed up, and of course the pain when breastfeeding will no longer be felt.

4. Breastfeed your baby at least every 2-3 hours

One of the basic things that all breastfeeding mothers need to remember is the principle that the more often a mother breastfeeds, the more abundant the milk production will be. So it is not surprising that breastfeeding frequency must be considered.

Generally, babies will breastfeed every 2-3 hours. Indeed, the frequency of breastfeeding will be more frequent than formula-fed babies because breast milk is easier to digest. While the length of time a baby breastfeeds is very dependent on the baby’s needs.

The longer you don’t breastfeed, the hungrier the baby gets and when the baby is hungry, he breastfeeds aggressively.

In addition, waiting a long time to breastfeed the baby also causes the breasts to become larger , and makes it difficult for the baby to breastfeed properly.

5. Creams and Products

Although most creams and ointments do not heal your nipples quickly, using them can provide a comfortable shield for your nipples. But remember, choosing the right ointment is also important.

Avoid ointments containing lanolin as they can cause allergic reactions and have a strong smell and taste, causing your baby to refuse to breastfeed.

6. Warm Compress and Cold Compress

Try using a warm compress before breastfeeding, which helps soften the areola and relieves pain from breast engorgement.

Use a cold compress afterward. You can also place a cold cabbage leaf on each breast or try some cooling bra inserts.

7. Pump Breast Milk, But Not Too Much

Use your hands or a pump to express small amounts of milk and relieve pressure from engorged breasts.

However, don’t express too much, because the more you express, the more milk you will produce, which will worsen engorgement.

8. Do a simple massage on the breast area while breastfeeding

Gently massage your breasts while breastfeeding to help your milk flow.

Change your baby’s position to ensure all milk ducts are emptied. Don’t forget to always make sure your bra fits properly. It should fit well and be supportive, but not too tight.

Causes of Sore Nipples While Breastfeeding

In fact, discomfort that causes pain during the breastfeeding process can be caused by several factors. 

This could be because the baby is not in a good position to take the nipple into his mouth, the mother is not using the breast pump correctly, because of an infection or because it has slipped while breastfeeding. 

Other possible causes are Tongue-tied babies (limited or short frenulum), having inverted or flat nipples, too long breaks between feedings (too fast vs. too long), body position factors during feeding, or also because of stopping breastfeeding without first stopping the suckling, and because of wearing a bra that is too tight on the nipples.

Meanwhile, as quoted on the What to Expect page , here are some possible causes of sore nipples when breastfeeding:

Breast Swelling

One of the causes of sore nipples when breastfeeding that often occurs is due to breast swelling.

In the first few days after you give birth, your breasts may not be much larger than they were during pregnancy. But don’t be surprised when your breasts become very different by the third or fourth day.

Once your transitional milk comes in around the third or fourth day after birth, your breasts will become very large as they fill with fluid and become swollen. 

While it is a sign that your breasts are full of milk, the pain and swelling are also a result of blood flowing to the milk ducts, ensuring that the milk factory is running smoothly.

So, how do you relieve breast swelling?

Fortunately, breast engorgement only lasts a few days to a week. However, it can make the breasts so hard and swollen that the nipples may become flat and difficult for the baby to reach. This first week of birth makes breastfeeding more challenging. 

Moms can help relieve engorgement by applying a warm washcloth to the areola at the start of each nursing session, which will stimulate letdown.

After breastfeeding, you can put an ice pack or cold cabbage leaves in your bra. The key is, the more often you breastfeed, the less engorgement you will experience and the sooner you can breastfeed without pain.

Milk Outbreak 

What’s thatmilk outburst? Every time you start breastfeeding, you may feel a strange pins and needles sensation in your breasts. This is completely normal.

This is also an important part of the breastfeeding process, which is a signal that milk is successfully released from the ducts that produce it.Milk letdownusually more intense in the early months of breastfeeding.

So, how do you relieve the pain caused by milk loss?

Mom can try to overcome this with relaxation techniques.

Make sure you use good positioning techniques: your back, arms, legs and elbows should be well supported, and your shoulder and neck muscles should be relaxed (so you are not tensing or leaning on your baby).

The good news is,milk outburstThis usually resolves as the baby gets older.

Blocked Milk Duct

Pain while breastfeeding can also be caused by blocked milk ducts.

Breast milk is produced in your breasts and flows through the milk ducts out of your nipples.

When one of these ducts becomes blocked, milk can back up and cause a small, tender lump.

How to fix a clogged milk duct?

If left untreated, a blocked duct can lead to a breast infection.

Before each feeding, place a warm compress on the affected breast to help stimulate milk flow.

Make sure you empty your breasts completely at each feeding, and also change your breastfeeding position so that all milk ducts are stimulated evenly. 

Moms can also try a simple breast massage, where you apply gentle pressure to the clogged duct both before and during breastfeeding. 

Do not stop breastfeeding for a long time, as this can make things worse, as more milk will come back and worsen the blockage.

Mastitis

What is mastitis ? Mastitis, or breast infection, develops when bacteria (either from the surface of your skin or from your baby’s mouth) enter your breast through a crack in your nipple or through one of the milk ducts.

This can happen at any time during breastfeeding but is most likely to occur in the first 6 weeks.

This condition usually affects only one breast. Symptoms include swelling, pain and redness, the breast feels warm to the touch and fever.

How to treat mastitis: See your doctor immediately for further examination.

Plus, oral antibiotics usually clear up the infection and make you feel better quickly (if you don’t get better within a day or two of taking antibiotics, check with your doctor again, Mom). 

When you have mastitis, you can (and should) continue to breastfeed, as it can help relieve the infection.

Tongue-tied in Babies

Tongue-tied in babies occurs when the tissue under your baby’s tongue (attaching the tongue to the floor of the mouth) is shorter than normal.

This can cause the tongue to not attach properly.

So when breastfeeding, mothers feel discomfort or pain in the area where their little one’s tongue is attached, as quoted on the NHS page.

Infection

Infection can occur when your nipples are cracked and bacteria may be able to enter through them. Symptoms usually include severe nipple pain after breastfeeding that lasts up to an hour.

See a doctor immediately, Mom. Your doctor can prescribe treatment for you and your baby.

If you have been experiencing sore nipples while breastfeeding for more than 7 days, and the pain often comes and goes, plus the nipples are actively bleeding, do not hesitate to immediately see a lactation consultant or health care provider to get a proper evaluation.

Or if you find that 1 or both nipples are sore every time you breastfeed, or your nipples are starting to crack or bleed, it’s important to get help from your midwife, health worker or breastfeeding support person as soon as possible.

Sore nipples while breastfeeding can of course pose a risk of causing a decrease in milk supply , or early weaning.

To prevent this from happening, and to make you more comfortable, here are some simple tips that can ease the symptoms of sore nipples while breastfeeding.

Having sore nipples when you’re trying to breastfeed can be stressful. Try to continue breastfeeding or express milk by hand if you can.

These are the things we should understand about sore nipples when breastfeeding and how to deal with them.

Do you also experience sore nipples when breastfeeding your baby? 

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Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia