How To Relieve Sore Nipples?

Welcoming motherhood is no mean feat! As you know, motherhood is all about navigating through several milestones and the very first and most significant one is- breastfeeding.New moms often look forward to breastfeeding their little one right from birth as it helps both the mother and the baby bond in a unique way. 

However, at times breastfeeding can be a bit challenging. Your baby may have a hard time latching onto your breast properly. Or your nipples might feel sore and sometimes might also be cracked causing you a lot of pain. The unbearable pain caused due to sore nipples can leave you wondering about its causes and how you can get relief from it. 

Let’s take a look at some of the causes and preventative measures of sore nipples below- 

What Causes Sore Nipples When Breastfeeding?

Tender, cracked, blistered, bleeding, and sore nipples are common problems for the newbie nursing mom.¹ Know that you're not alone and that eventually your nipples will heal and toughen up. Here are some of its most common causes.

1. Nipple Sensitivity

One of the most common complaints by new moms, nipple sensitivity usually increases during pregnancy and peaks about four days after giving birth.² You may notice pins-and-needle pain or a tingling feeling when your baby begins to nurse.^3,4 This is one of the many causes for an increased occurrence of sore nipples among new mommies in town. 

2. Poor Latch²

For breastfeeding to succeed, you'll need a proper latch — which means making sure that your baby and breast hook up just right. You will know that your baby is not latching correctly if you have nipple pain due to your baby chewing on your nipple instead of gumming the areola. 

If you hear clicking noises, it is an indication the baby's not latched on properly to your breast. Other signs include your baby fussing, chewing, rooting and gaping. A poor latch is another leading cause of sore nipples.

3. Milk Blebs or Blisters²

A blocked nipple pore, milk blebs usually develop when a milk duct becomes clogged. Breast milk becomes thick and hard as a result, which blocks milk flow near your nipple opening and further contributes to the development of sore nipples.

Sometimes, a small amount of skin can grow over the bleb, preventing it from healing. This may look like a tiny white or yellow spot on your nipple.

4. Teething⁵ 

Teething babies tend to gnaw your breast and this can also trigger sore nipples. In such instances, it is best to break the suction immediately and carefully. 

5. Dry Skin⁶

Very dry skin or contact dermatitis(a skin rash) caused from nipple creams or soaps can lead to sore, tender, painful nipples.

6. Nipple Blanching And Vasospasm²

Nipple blanching happens when you finish nursing and your nipple pops out of your baby's mouth, whitened.⁷ This usually occurs because your baby bore down a little too hard on your nipple while they were feeding. As a result, the nipple gets compressed and sore.  Vasospasm, on the other end, is caused when the blood vessels around your nipple contract abnormally, resulting in stabbing pain.⁸ It tends to last longer than nipple blanching and does not go away even with good attachment during feeds.  It tends to last longer than nipple blanching and does not go away even with good attachment during feeds.

7. Pain From Vigorous Pumping⁹

Over-vigorous pumping (from using too high a suction setting) and too much friction (caused by pulling and rubbing from improper flange positioning or size) can also lead to sore nipples.

Can You Continue Breastfeeding With Sore Nipples?

New moms often feel confused about whether they should continue breastfeeding or not when they have sore nipples. Well, the answer is that unless your doctor advises against it, you should try to stick to your regular breastfeeding schedule.⁶

Moreover, it is recommended that even if you have a breast infection like mastitis, you should continue breastfeeding. In fact, in the case of mastitis, the breast pain and related nipple soreness could worsen if you stop breastfeeding or pumping.¹⁰ 

Tips For Relieving Sore Nipples When Breastfeeding

Are you experiencing cracking, bleeding or painful nipples while breastfeeding? Or are you recovering from a painful episode of cracking or blistering? Do you wish to keep it from recurring? Well, here are some ways to prevent it.

1. Get A Good Latch¹¹

The best way to prevent cracked or sore nipples is to make sure your little nurser is properly positioned on your breast. Latch them the right way by making sure they are taking enough of your breast into their mouth and grasping the areola, not just the nipple, between the gums. If they are nursing just on your nipple, the sucking can leave you feeling chewed up and your nipples feeling red, sore, cracked and tender. 

2. Change Your Nursing Positions¹²

Alternating between cradle hold and football hold, for example, will ensure that a different part of the nipple and areola is compressed at each feeding, further aiding in preventing sore nipples.

3. Relax And Breathe¹² 

Classic relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation help many new mommies. This helps in enhancing the milk letdown, which means your baby (or the pump) won't have to work as hard.

4. Express Breast Milk^2,12,13

Squeeze a little milk onto your nipples after nursing to soothe sore nipples. You can also gently apply a small pea-sized portion of lanolin^6,12 to the nipple and areola. This provides a moisture barrier. 

Conclusion

Getting started with breastfeeding can be a big challenge. And one of the biggest reasons why many moms stop breastfeeding early on is due to sore nipples.  However, it’s important to note that choosing to breastfeed opens up a world of long-term benefits for your baby. And breast milk is the ideal food for your baby. It’s packed with all the essential vitamins & minerals that your baby needs to grow!¹⁴ For example, one of the most essential components of breast milk is Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid!

DHA has many health benefits for the baby. It is crucial for the growth and development of your child’s brain and nervous system.¹⁵

Nonetheless, DHA is produced in the human body in very small quantities. Therefore, it is very important for breastfeeding mothers to take DHA in adequate amounts. This is to ensure that the growing baby is receiving it in the optimum quantities. To guarantee that breastfeeding women do not lack DHA, they must monitor its levels from time to time. 

An easy way to test is by using LifeCell’s OmegaScore-N for lactating women! It is an easy-to-use self-collection test that measures and tracks the breast milk DHA levels. All you have to do is collect the sample and send it to their lab! Rest assured, you’ll soon receive a digital report with all the insights about your DHA level. Once you have ensured that your breast milk is rich in DHA, you can enjoy your breastfeeding journey. 

And if breastfeeding causes pain and discomfort, it’s best to consult your doctor for personalized tips and support.