How to soothe breastfeeding nipple pain & other breastfeeding issues

7 min. read

Whether it’s your first-time breastfeeding, or you’re keen to avoid breastfeeding pain this time round, preparing for common breastfeeding issues is important for both mother and baby. For some mums, breastfeeding hurts, so knowing how to soothe breast pain when breastfeeding can help to put your mind at ease. 

If you’re faced with an inefficient breastfeeding latch, cracked nipples or if you’re experiencing other breastfeeding problems, you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve put together these tips to help answer common breastfeeding questions – so you can spend less time worrying, and more time enjoying the special bond between you and your baby.

Tip: We’re here to help you understand how to relieve and avoid breastfeeding nipple pain, but our advice doesn’t replace that of your healthcare professional. Always consult your doctor if you’re worried about breastfeeding issues.

1. Breastfeeding latch problems

Latching on can take a little time to learn, and trouble latching on is one of the most common causes of breastfeeding pain – but be gentle on yourself: you’ve both got this.

If your baby won’t latch onto your breast, it’s important to seek help as your milk supply may decrease if your baby won’t latch properly. To help, use these tips to avoiding latch related breastfeeding problems:

• Create a calm environment. The key to a comfortable feeding session is to be calm and relaxed. Lay in your bed with pillows or sit in a comfortable chair. 
• Cuddle your baby skin-to-skin. Place your baby on your bare chest between your breasts for relaxing skin-on-skin contact. 
• Don’t force the latch. Allow your baby to take the lead during nursing sessions. You can guide and support your newborn, but you certainly shouldn’t be forcing the latch.
• Find a comfortable position. Sometimes the trick is knowing which positions work and which ones don’t. Explore the different breastfeeding positions that can help your baby to latch.
• Use a good breastfeeding latch technique. Start by brushing your nipple against your baby’s nose to activate their senses. This will help your baby to open their mouth wide, which may help to get more of your areola in their mouth.
  

2. Breastfeeding nipple pain and cracked nipples

In the early days, it’s quite common to experience some tenderness on your nipples. Breastfeeding nipple pain can be linked to multiple causes, from skin sensitivity to poor positioning. Another common issue among mothers who choose to breastfeed is cracked nipples, often caused by a shallow breastfeeding latch. This is when your baby is not getting enough of the breast tissue in their mouth and sucks on your nipple instead. Some of the most effective ways to soothe and protect your nipples so you’re able to comfortably breastfeed include:

• Applying expressed breast milk to your nipples. That’s right, you can actually use your own breast milk to heal your cracked nipples.¹ Simply apply a few drops of breast milk to your nipples and air dry.
  
  Tip: If you’re expressing your breastmilk, whether it’s to avoid breast pain while breastfeeding or for convenience, make sure you have all the correct equipment. Ensure your expressed milk is at its best for your baby using good quality bottles and a suitable bottle warmer – after all, the milk from your breast isn’t cold when they drink it!
  
  
• Encouraging milk flow before feeds. Apply warm compresses to the area and express some breast milk before you feed your baby to help stimulate milk flow.
• Protecting sore nipples with nipple protectors. If breastfeeding hurts while you’re healing sore nipples, why not relieve some of the pain with nipple protectors? Nipple shields can help to ease nipple discomfort while nursing and applying nipple cream after feeds can also help to soothe and moisturise the area.
• Using breast shells to prevent nipple chafing between feeds. Simply wear your breast shells inside your bra to help prevent nipple irritation and to collect excess breast milk. You can also use breast pads to keep your clothes stain-free from your breast milk.
• Positioning your baby comfortably. Often, the solution to breastfeeding nipple pain can be as simple as using a pillow to elevate your baby or latching them onto your nipple from a different angle.
• Asking for help. If the cracks won’t heal or you have more questions, reach out to your healthcare professional for help.