Nipple trouble
Breast is best, but it can be hard dealing with sore or cracked nipples in the easy days of feeding. We share some tips.
Posted: 18 March 2006
by Laura Lee Davies
If you've been through it, you know how painful those early weeks of feeding can be on your nipples. But it's amazing how many
women don't realise they are not alone in their suffering and that things will get better very soon.
Sore or cracked nipples
It is not surprising that, when you and your baby are totally new to an experience, that there are going to be some problems before
you get used to breastfeeding.
However, even mothers who have breastfed before will tell you that it can be as painful the
second time around. For starters, if there's been a gap between the babies, your nipples will have softened again and not be used to
the wear and tear of newborn feeding. Additionally, even experienced mothers might slip into the habits of feeding they recall from
later on, when their last baby was a confident feeder and didn't need help latching on in the correct way.
The pain barrier
Some health professionals will tell you to count to 20 every time your baby latches on and by then the pain will subside. In bad
cases, this might take a count twice as long! However, if you know you are generally getting a good milk flow in your breastfeeding
regime, be assured that you will find that the pain subsides. This for some women is a matter of days, for others it's a
matter of up to six weeks. If you want advice or support in the meantime, La Leche
League are a great contact who can often help over the telephone.
You might feel like giving up. Don't be a martyr to the cause if there seems to be a serious problem, talk to your health visitor and
to your friends and partner. Get the worry and suffering off your chest - if you'll pardon the pun.
But also don't be put off by a few days' pain. If there is nothing seriously wrong and your baby is thriving on it, breastfeeding is not
also great for both of you healthwise, it's also far more convenient than bottle feeding, especially in the early weeks when you're
physically recovering from the birth.
Even if you bleed a little, this is not going to harm your baby when he feeds.
Beat the breastfeeding bad times
Check your baby has latched on properly. See above.
Rub some milk from your feed gently over your nipples. The unique chemical
make-up of your own milk is great for you too.
Try singing as your baby latches on. Bracing songs are an amazing source of
comfort and you may find you get a little louder for a few moments but it can really help!
Let your breasts 'breathe'. After a feed, leave your bra off for a while, if you can, so
that air dries your nipples naturally. Where possible, avoid having to cover your breasts too snugly and make sure you don't let
breast pads get too damp before replacing them, if you use them.
Keep bras clean. Wear cotton feeding bras rather than having synthetic,
non-breathable material too close to the skin, and make sure you wash your bras regularly, in a gentle, non-bio detergent.
Don't overwash your breasts. Keep them clean with water. Breast milk is clean and
does not need to be washed off with lots of heavy soaps.
Try a nipple cream. You should not put excessive amounts of cream on your nipples
as this is where your baby feeds from. However, there are a few very natural, unmedicated lanolin formulas on the market which
are worth trying.
Don't avoid feeding. Your nipples will toughen up. Avoiding feeding on a
particularly bad side will only delay that process. Additionally, being erratic in your feeding patterns could create problems with
unused milk build-up in the unfavoured breast.
Good luck. When the pain stops (and it will, without you even noticing) breastfeeding is one of most amazing things you and
your baby will ever share!
Discuss this story
Hi everyone, I'm really looking for some advise. I have a 12 month old daughter and am 5 months pregnant with my 2nd child. I tried to breastfeed Shannon but really struggled and gave up after 3 days due to the soreness, which I have since found out was due to Shannon not latching on properly. I really want to give breastfeeding another go with baby no. 2 but am in two minds. I think the thing that is putting me off is weather or not it will be practical and possible with a toddler of 16 months running about and weather or not it will cause jealousy. Has anybody got any experience or advise about what I should do: Try breast feeding or just use bottles? Thanks.
Posted: 03/10/2007 22:36
I would always try breastfeeding even if its just for a couple of days. I got really sore with my boy and no one seemed to know why as he was latched on good. Eventually i just used to express of the really sore side and it healed in about 3 days and was good again after that. Expressing is good though for convenience as i was too shy to feed in public.
Posted: 08/10/2007 12:34
you need top be dedicated and commited to doing it it is best it is easy peasy after the initial 6 weeks cracked sore nipple stage if you are unlucky to go through this some peole sail through and it is no reflection on pevious pregnancies as to the outcome of the nest attempt growth spurts happen they dont last longer than 48 hours before your body adjusts taje the excuse to go to bed with your baby for a few days snuggle skin to skin feed every hour for a few minutes and it will all quickly pass that is what maternity leave is for 
Posted: 08/10/2007 13:05
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