Our Guide to Nipple Care When Breastfeeding

Estimated read time: 12 minutes

Got sore nipples? Are your nipples in pain from breastfeeding? Welcome to our nipple care breastfeeding guide.

Breastfeeding is beautiful, magical, and natural. But dang. Sore nipples when breastfeeding is no joke! We’ll be honest, the beginning of your breastfeeding journey can be tough. But hang in there, mama, it will get better.

Having sore and cracked nipples is an all too common side effect of breastfeeding your little milk monster, and it can get so uncomfortable that it makes some mamas dread the next feed, or even want to quit breastfeeding for good.

We understand that sore nipples can be a real pain, literally and figuratively! Luckily nipple care when breastfeeding can make your breastfeeding journey a whole lot smoother. In this guide, we’ll share the best nipple care when breastfeeding as well as some tips on how to relieve sore nipples when breastfeeding. 

In this article:

• Why do nipples get sore and cracked when breastfeeding?
• What causes sore nipples?
• Can sore nipples decrease milk supply?
• What is the fastest way to heal sore nipples?
• How can I relieve sore nipples from breastfeeding?
• How do I stop my nipples from cracking while breastfeeding?
• How long does it take for nipples to heal from breastfeeding?

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Why do nipples get sore and cracked when breastfeeding?

OK mama. You’re uncomfortable and upset. We get it. You want to know how to stop your pretty nipples from feeling chewed up and enjoy breastfeeding your beautiful baby.

But before we get into nipple care when breastfeeding, and some home remedies for sore cracked nipples from breastfeeding, it’s important to understand why sore nipples can happen in the first place.

Breastfeeding can be sensitive, and maybe a little uncomfortable while your body adjusts to the new sensation, but it shouldn’t be painful. It shouldn’t feel like your nipples are being shredded every time they go near your baby’s mouth or your pump.  

So, if you’re experiencing this kind of pain (and trust us, you’re not alone), you have to find out why and how to fix the issue. As much as nipple creams, balms, and home remedies for sore cracked nipples from breastfeeding can help, if you don’t fix the cause, the cycle will just continue. So listen up, Milk Maker.

What causes sore nipples?

You may be wondering, why do my nipples hurt so bad while breastfeeding? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all reason for painful nipples, but these are some of the most common reasons for nipple sensitivity during breastfeeding.

• Latch issues. A poor latch can lead to your little one not getting enough breast tissue in their mouth. This, in turn, can cause extra pressure and friction to your poor nipples.
• Incorrect positioning. Sometimes, the wrong breastfeeding position can cause your baby to latch incorrectly, which leads to discomfort and painful nipples.
• Cluster feeding. Frequent nursing and cluster feeding can sometimes cause your nipples to become irritated and sore.
• Dryness. Got dry nipple skin? This can make them more prone to soreness and cracking. Ouch!
• Tongue or lip tie. These conditions are quite common. A tongue tie or lip tie causes the tissue under their tongue or upper lip to be shorter than normal, which makes it harder for them to latch properly.
• Thrush. Yep, you can get thrush on your nipples. This is a fungal infection that is passed between you and your baby, and it can lead to nipple pain.
• Wrong pump flange size. If you’re pumping, then you need to know that the flange size of your pump is very important. Many mamas use too large or too small of flange sizes, which can lead to nipple damage. Your nipple should be able to move freely inside the tunnel without pulling in your areola.

Can sore nipples decrease milk supply?

It’s important to remember that many of the above reasons for nipple pain and damage can also lead to a decreased milk supply over time, so addressing any issues and correcting them is essential in the continuation of your breastfeeding journey. That is why nipple care for breastfeeding mothers is important.

What is the fastest way to heal sore nipples?

One of the best ways to solve your nipple dilemma is to consult a lactation consultant. They can help with a plethora of breastfeeding issues, such as correct positioning, latch, and nipple care when breastfeeding. Even better if you could connect with a lactation consultant during your pregnancy to discuss preventing sore nipples during breastfeeding and have their number ready to call in case you need them.

You might find that after seeing a lactation consultant once, the cause of your nipple pain will be discovered and with just a little tweaking, the experience will become beautiful and pain-free once again.

We always recommend starting with a lactation consultant to personally guide you on your breastfeeding journey and show you how to care for your nipples while breastfeeding. 

You may want to try relieving nipple pain on your own, and we get that, so we have put together breastfeeding nipple care tips.

How can I relieve sore nipples from breastfeeding?

Nipple care during the early breastfeeding stages starts with how you and your baby latch.

If you’re keen to try some ways to relieve sore, cracked nipples from breastfeeding before speaking to a lactation consultant, then there are plenty of things you can try, including experimenting with positions, latches, and going for a tongue-tie evaluation. When it comes to how to relieve sore nipples when breastfeeding, consider getting to the root of the problem.

• Positioning. Getting the right breastfeeding position is crucial mama. Forget listening to what your friend or Aunt Janice tell you about what worked for them. Everyone is different and every baby is different. Experiment with different positions to find the one that works best for you and your baby. 
• Proper latch. It’s all about the latch baby! Your little one should never suck directly on your nipple, instead, have a whole mouthful of the area around your nipple, with your nipple pointing up in their mouth. Your babe should latch on with a wide mouth, encompassing as much breast tissue as possible to reduce friction and pressure on your nipples. 
• Tongue-tie evaluation. If you or your lactation consultant suspects your baby has tongue or lip-tie, consult with a healthcare professional who specializes in evaluating and correcting this issue. It might sound scary, but the procedure to fix the issue is very quick and can help with latch issues. 

How do I stop my nipples from cracking while breastfeeding?

Alright, you have the latch and positioning figured out, but now you want to soothe your cracked nipples from breastfeeding. Perhaps you want to try home remedies for sore nipples, too.

Treating cracked nipples while breastfeeding is necessary to continue on your breastfeeding journey. If you are looking for ointments, barriers, or short-term remedies to give your nipples some relief and protection, then we’ve got you. Here are a few of the best nipple care options.

• Nipple creams and ointments. There are so many different nipple creams, butters, and ointments available, and most of them are affordable and can be purchased over the counter. These creams are designed to be applied to your nipples whenever needed, and can even be used right before a feed without having to remove it first. Firm favorites include Lanolin, which is made from the fat in sheep’s wool. It provides a soothing and protective barrier that lots of mamas love. Our pick for chapped nips and overall nipple care for new moms is Motherlove nipple cream.
• Home remedies for sore cracked nipples from breastfeeding. Looking for something to relieve your nipples that you can whip up at home? Why not make your own nipple butter? We love this recipe from Measuring Flower, which uses lots of natural, soothing ingredients. And if it works for you, it could make a lovely homemade gift for fellow breastfeeding mamas. 
• Warm compresses. Not only can a warm compress help with your letdown, but applying one to your nipples can soothe discomfort and help with dryness. Try hot and cold breast therapy packs for quick relief. Warm, moist heat is know for soothing sore nipples and help your skin heal faster.
• Cool compresses. When your baby has had their fill, pop a cold compress or cold pack onto your tender nipples to help reduce inflammation and numb discomfort. You can use the hot and cold breast therapy packs here as well.
• Barrier options. When your nipples are damaged, it can make them very sensitive. So much so that any pressure on them can feel traumatic. This is where barrier options come in. There are several types of barriers you can try, including breast shells (which creates a barrier so your nipple doesn’t get any friction), nipple shields (these are used during nursing, are very thin and create a barrier between your nipple and your baby’s mouth), and silverettes (which are caps to put on top of your nipples to protect them between feeds).

How long does it take for nipples to heal from breastfeeding?

It depends. Healing time will vary and it depends on the severity. If the nipple damage is superficial and you started to resolve it quickly, the soreness may clear up in hours or days. However, if the wounds are long-established, they could take up to 2 or even 3 weeks to be completely resolved. So make sure to get to the root of the problem quickly and practice the nipple care routines to nip the pain right away – pun intended!

 

Painful nipples suck!

And we’re so sorry you’re in discomfort. Once you know what’s causing the issue, solving it becomes that much easier. 

And now you know why some mamas get sore and cracked nipples, and you understand how you can help yours, hopefully, breastfeeding can become an enjoyable and beautiful time to cherish with your baby. 

Did you ever experience sore nipples from breastfeeding? What did you find helped you? Let us know in the comments or over on our Instagram page and help fellow mamas out. 

If you enjoyed this article, make sure to share it on social media, send the link to fellow mom friends, and join our supportive online mom community on Instagram and TikTok @tittycitydesign.

At Titty City Design, we believe that every boobie is beautiful, and that should be celebrated. We are a female-owned and operated, small business here to spread self-love and body positivity with our line of boob apparel, boob accessories, and boob-themed decor and products for the home. A portion of our proceeds goes to help support postpartum people and breast cancer patients.

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