Sore Nipples During Breastfeeding : Causes & Solutions

If you have sore nipples and feel discomfort during breastfeeding then you are not alone. Read about common causes of discomfort and solutions to make it more enjoyable for you & the baby.

Common Causes of Nipple Discomfort During Breastfeeding

Sore nipples during Breastfeeding can be caused due to multiple reasons –

Incorrect Latching Technique:

If your baby is only latching onto your nipple and ignoring the areola then that could cause sore nipples and also devoid baby of proper milk supply. Make sure that baby’s mouth is covering both the nipple & areola to stimulate the milk glands and get the feeding going.

Incorrect Feeding Position:

If the baby is kept too far away from the breast while feeding then it can be very dangerous because they can pull back on the nipple making it very sore. Try keeping the baby close to your chest next time so they are in a comfortable position and not reaching out while latching.

Dry Nipple:

Dry skin around the nipples can make it sore. Try applying a lanolin-based cream to provide soothing. Try out these products recommended by our Editors specifically for this problem directly from amazon.

Yeast Infection (thrush):

Persistent nipple pain in the early weeks of breastfeeding, or nipple pain that appears after several weeks or months of pain-free nursing, could be caused by thrush which is a yeast infection impacting nipples. You can easily detect thrush in the baby’s mouth which will have white plaques on cheeks or gum tissue. If you have thrush then it is critical for you to reach out to your doctor right away and get yourself and the baby checked and treated.

Clogged Milk Ducts:

Milk ducts sometimes get clogged causing tender lumps that are pea-sized or bigger on the breast. You might notice that the baby may be fussy when feeding on the affected breast since the milk flow rate from the breast might get reduced. Reach out to your lactation consultant or doctor who would be able to confirm and prescribe a personalized plan to unclog the ducts.

Mastitis:

Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast usually accompanied by infection. It can occur at any point while you are lactating and presents itself with severe breast discomfort and pain often accompanied by redness in breast and fever. We would strongly recommend to reach out to your healthcare provider immediately if you feel that you have this condition.

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