Soreness and Breastfeeding
Answers to Your Questions about Breast and Nipple Soreness
Everyone experiences breastfeeding differently. Some mothers learn to breastfeed and find that they never have any discomfort or soreness. However most mothers report that their nipples or breasts have some degree of soreness. How you can avoid soreness or is it simply part of the breastfeeding process?
Is it Normal to Have Sore Nipples?
The answer to this question is that it depends on the level of severity of soreness. A bit of initial tenderness in the first week or two is not uncommon. However soreness that is very painful throughout the feeding, a pinchy feeling or sore nipples that cause you to wince or your toes to curl likely means that something is not right in your breastfeeding techniques.
How Can Sore Nipples Be Treated?
If your nipples are sore, cracked or bleeding, it can make the entire breastfeeding experience miserable. Over the counter breast creams can help. You can also find hydro gel pads to treat nipple soreness. Even expressing a few drops of breastmilk and rubbing it over your nipples at the end of feedings can help. Breastmilk contains antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory properties so they are great treatment for sore nipples. Treatment for nipple soreness (such as Canadian nipple cream) work well and are available by prescription, however it should be used judiciously since it contains steroids.
Finding the Reason for Sore Nipples
Don't forget to be working on correcting the reason for nipple soreness. The most common reasons for nipple soreness is a poor latch or not breaking the suction properly when ending a feeding. A good latch can be achieved by placing your baby skin-to-skin facing your breast, cradling your baby close to you, supporting your breast with one hand and the baby's shoulders with the other.
Tickle the baby's upper lip to encourage the baby to open wide; as you offer the breast, be sure your baby's chin is buried into your breast and the baby's nose is not touching the breast. If the baby is simply sucking on your nipple and does not have most of the areola (the dark part surrounding the nipple) in her mouth, it will feel pinchy and hurt much more and will signal you that it is not a good latch.
To break the baby's suction at the end of a feed, place a clean finger in the baby's mouth, in between the gums to release your nipple. Remember that your nipple goes far back into the baby's mouth and you cannot simply break the suction at the baby's lips.
Is it Normal for My Breasts to be Sore?
Sometimes there is discomfort when your breastmilk first comes in and your breasts fill with milk. There can also be pain if your breasts become too full or your baby is not keeping up with your milk supply or not latching properly. This is known as engorgement. Do not pump or express too much breastmilk if you are engorged since this will just cause your body to make more milk. Try expressing just a bit to soften your nipple if it is too hard for your baby to get a good latch. Massage your breasts during feedings or use compressions to encourage your milk to flow more freely.
Treatment for Engorgement and Mastitis
For relief of discomfort from engorgement, check to see if your care provider will recommend ibuprofen. You can also use a cold compresses after feedings.
If you need to decrease your milk supply, you can use cabbage leaves 3-4 times a day after feedings. Place a green cabbage leaf on each breast for about 10 minutes or until the leaves wilt. Discontinue using the cabbage leaves after your milk supply returns to normal.
If your breast tissue becomes tender and there is a reddened area, this could be a sign of mastitis or a breast infection. Sometimes you will also have mild flu-like symptoms and a low grade fever in addition to the breast tenderness. In most cases, continuing to breastfeed is all you need to do. However you may benefit from seeing your care provider for antibiotics if the redness and symptoms do not go away in a few days.
For additional help with breastfeeding soreness issues, read The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Jack Newman or consult with your local La Leche League leader or lactation consultant.
Breastfeeding Does Not Have to Hurt
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