Sore nipples while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding should not hurt. Period.
If breastfeeding hurts, it is your body's way of alerting you that something is wrong. There are several things that can play a role. For example, baby's latch technique, the breastfeeding position, and possibly baby's tongue, lip, jaw band, or tension in baby's neck if the birth was quick, involved forceps, or was a cesarean section – in that case, I recommend that baby be checked by a skilled osteopath. If you hear anyone ask when breastfeeding stops hurting, the message is that it should never hurt at all!
It is simply a myth that breastfeeding hurts. And likewise, it is a myth that nipples need to be toughened up. We women are created to breastfeed, and babies are created to nurse. From there, it is learning by doing. And to remember that in the vast majority of cases, practice makes perfect – both for mom and baby AND that it can easily take a month or more to establish effective breastfeeding.
If this is the first time you are breastfeeding, it is a completely new bodily experience when baby forms a proper vacuum around your nipple. It can feel super intense and …. like when a dairy cow has a milking machine attached. Of course, I don't know how that feels myself, but most women understand and can relate to the description. So there is a difference between the experience of an intense vacuum, where you may have to count slowly to 10 before the intensity subsides, and it actually hurting regularly.
If it hurts when you put your baby to, put your little finger in the corner of baby's mouth to break the vacuum and start over with putting baby to. Read about my general advice on breastfeeding positions here.
Generally, it is important that you remember to take good care of yourself - including your nipples. Often, as mothers, we can focus completely on the child and almost throw ourselves through the air when baby cries, forget to check if we are sitting comfortably when we breastfeed, forget to eat, pee more because …. we are so focused on baby.
It is important that you also are there for yourself - also for your nipples.
If you leak a lot of milk, for example, keep your nipples dry. After breastfeeding, let the nipple air-dry and then put on a nursing pad that absorbs the leaked milk. Make sure to change the nursing pad often enough so that your breast does not become damp and there is thus a risk of getting a fungal infection. If it is a cool or cold season, you can also very gladly use a wool nursing pad. It should be large enough to cover most of the breast. This helps keep the breast cozy and warm and thus prevents mastitis.
When you are in the shower, gladly spray lukewarm water all around your breasts. If you have tension somewhere in your breast, you can lovingly massage the area with the warm water. Always in the direction of the nipple. This can both prevent mastitis and be a mindful moment for you and your breasts.
If you have sores or cracks on your nipples, it is important to seek qualified breastfeeding help in the form of a lactation consultant. Many women rush out and buy various creams, patches, and so on to 'fix' their nipples. This can also be a help, but (!) the cause of the sores and cracks must be found and addressed. Creams, ointments, and patches do not help with that.
So take care of yourself, you and your nipples, and breastfeeding should not hurt!
Good luck from here on out -and reach out for help if you need it.
Author Siff Stephenson HjerteJordemoderen