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!