8 Tips to Relieve Nipple Soreness

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 05/19/2011 - 17:53

  • Be sure to break the suction before removing baby from the breast. Press down on the breast tissue, or slide your index finger inside his mouth between his gums. "Popping" a baby off the breast hurts!
  • Nurse on the least sore side first. Nipple pain usually lessens as the milk begins to flow. Switch to the other side after you notice signs of the milk ejection reflex, i.e., milk dripping from the other nipple, a tingling sensation in your breasts, and a change in the baby's suck and swallow rhythm.
  • Try stimulating the milk ejection reflex before you put your baby to the breast, using warm compresses, massage, or gentle pumping.
  • Breastfeed frequently -- every two hours or so during the day. This will lessen engorgement and make it easier for baby to latch on.
  • Let your nipples air-dry between feedings. Express a few drops of milk and let them dry on the nipple. The immunities in your milk will help heal your skin.
  • Use a purified lanolin product (such as Lansinoh) on your nipples between feedings to keep the skin moist so it will heal more quickly. Avoid using preparations that must be wiped off (ouch!) before feeding the baby.
  • Wear an all-cotton bra that fits well, or go braless under a cotton tee shirt. Avoid bras with plastic or synthetic linings that hold moisture against the skin.
  • Nursing pads with plastic in them can aggravate sore nipples. If a pad sticks to your breast, moisten it with water to release it and avoid skin damage.

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