Sore Nipples

J., When I had my first baby, my older sister told my husband it was his job to encourage me to nurse "just one more day, then we'll see how sore you are, then you can quit". That went on for 4 months! After each baby it lessened. My last one, number 6, I was sore for about a week! Take a little tylonol and keep using the lanolin, it helps! Also, I found that if I rubbed a little bit of breast milk on my nipples and let them air dry it helped speed up the healing. Hang in there! It is sooooo good for your baby and the time you get to rest and bond with your baby is incredible. Good luck!

For me, it took about 3-months for everything to work well and pain-free. And not a day went by that I didn't want to quit.

I would just really watch his latch. Sometimes it starts off great, but the baby can get lazy and if your arms get tired, he can slip and end up with just a small amount of areola and the nipple. Make sure you're really paying attention to what you're both doing throughout the entire feeding.

The lanolin is great. You can also purchase gel packs that you can heat or cool to help with soreness. I've also heard cabbage leaves are great, but I never tried them myself.

If all else fails and you're still having pain, contact a lactation consultant. You can get a name from your hospital, OB, pediatrician, on the internet, and stores that sell breastfeeding supplies.

EVERY TIME after you nurse, (and any other time you think about doing it) express a little milk and rub it on your nipples, then let it air dry. My first baby my nipples were SO cracked and sore I felt like crying everytime I nursed-until a nurse told me that trick. THE MILK WILL HEAL YOUR NIPPLES! Don't use any creams or lanolin or anything-just your milk.

Hi J. -

I understand how you're feeling - there were many days I felt like that too! But hang in there...you're probably very close to relief coming! I would also recommend getting together with a La Leche League leader from your area too. I had a lady come to the house and watch our latch...she gave me some great tips and about 4 days after making a couple of small changes, we were good to go! It'll be so worth it!

J.-Congrats to you for sticking it out thus far! I made it to 13 months, and it was WELL worth all the pain/soreness, wounds and even a bout with mastitis! If you really want to do it, you can. All the advice written already is great. I definintely recommend using breastmilk on the nipples and letting them airdry (unless you live in a commune, who cares??). Also, I had some pretty severe problems (I'll spare you the details), but I was told NOT to use the lanolin as it softens the nipples instead of toughening them up. If you live in the Springs, Alliance Breastfeeding center is a great resource, or check out a lactation consultant (wherever you delivered). Also, if you live in C.Springs, look into the breastfeeding support group at PCH-great resource and way to hang out with other moms in your boat! Hope that all helps and good luck! You are doing a great thing for you and your baby

If it hurts something is wrong. Wrong latch or yeast are two common problems. Try a LLL meeting, they are experts, moms, and free.

I can't remember how long the pain lasted, but I do remember experiencing it and that the soreness eventually passed!

I hated lanolin. So did my daughter. Mothers Love Nipple cream (certified organic) can be purchased at any healthfood store. That and refrigerated jel pads that can be purchased at a baby or nursing store.Pop them in the fridge while you nurse and keep them in your bra as long as possible! It was 5-6 weeks for me. Keep trucking I promise it will get better! The breast milk trick worked too!
PS I'm still nursing my 4mo old and my nipples are back to them old selves again!

I know how you feel! My son will be 4 weeks tomorrow and I sometimes have the same problem. I've found that both heat and cold help (the lactation specialist advised cold compresses). If you can stand in the shower before nursing (I know, it's a "treat" to take a shower with an infant!) and let the hot water hit your breasts it seems to help, and also use a cool washcloth or small icepack afterwards. Good luck!

I know this is going to sound weird but when I nursed my kids I got very sore. The lanolin helped but some days not enough. I read somewhere while looking for natural methods to help the problem to take a tea bag wet it down with warm water and hold it on my nipples. The tanic acid in the tea bag helped combat the soreness and cracking. I made sure to rinse my nipples off before I breastfed again so my kids got none of the caffeine from the tea. I ended up nursing my son for a year it worked so well.

Hi J.,

Oh, my nipples hurt just thinking about it!

I had a very similar experience; dry, cracked, bleeding, etc. I also tried the "nipple shields" but found them to be very unhelpful and my baby HATED them. You see, I wasn't JUST cracked and bleeding. I was more bruised. What ultimately worked for me, was I had to switch to an electric breast pump, (which I'm certain you can purchase at a discounted price) for just a FEW days, to give your nipples a chance to heal.]

You and your little darling will become an unstoppable nursing team before you know it!

I had one friend who recommended breastmilk instead of lanolin. I never tried it, but it might be worth the try.

What did work for me was nipple shields. You can get them in the feeding aisle at Walmart or Target. I think Medela makes them. My second son used them for about 3 days, but it built up the calluses in a completely painless way.

6 weeks for me with the two that I breastfed! Hang in there! You're close!