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Nipple Pain

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Do you have nipple pain or nipple sensitivity?

Some nipple sensitivity is normal in the beginning. Wait it out; it just takes time for your nipples to get used to nursing. In the meantime, using pure lanolin should help relieve normal sensitive nipples

Cracked or bleeding nipples:

Causes could be a bad latch/suckle, bad positioning, thrush, problem with the breast pump, or it could be that your baby is biting your nipples

Treat sore nipples:

- You can ease the sore nipples by applying ice wrapped in a soft cloth or by using other cold treatments (cold compress).

- You can also try an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, and Tylenol, which are all safe to take during breastfeeding.

- Also try rinsing your breast with clean water and salt after every breastfeeding session, this will wash your baby’s saliva off from your nipples so that they don’t crack and become sore etc.

- A mother’s own milk, gently rubbed into the wound, is just as soothing and actually accelerates healing and relieves nipple pain also!

- Pure

- Liquid vitamin E applied regularly to sore or cracked nipples can soothe the pain and help the healing process. Ameda Lansinoh Lotion For Breast Feeding Mothers is great for applying just before you breastfeed or even when pumping and prevents sore broken nipples

- Lansinoh soothies - Soothies relieve with an instant cooling sensation. They soothe and comfort your sensitive skin and they protect your delicate nipple area.

- Moms with larger breasts or nipples might struggle with breastfeeding... more on breastfeeding with large breasts & nipples

- In the end some moms might decide that exclusive pumping is for them (exclusive pumping guidelines)

Breast Pain

If you have pain inside your breast before and during the entire time you are breastfeeding you should go see your Doctor incase of thrush or mastitis.

Burning pink, itchy nipples are a sign of thrush too. Thrush is a "yeast infection". It's usually caused by mom or baby taking an antibiotic that causes an imbalance in the body.

Some moms are suffering from Raynauds phenomenon without realising it...read more about Raynauds disease here

Natural cure for thrush during breastfeeding:

- Gentian violet baby teething, teething baby

How can you stop baby from biting your nipples?

Sometimes it happens because baby wants to use you as a teether, use any teething remedies you find work the best (e.g. teething tablets) and unlatch baby when he bites.

Some babies have sucking problems that are due to oral problems like cleft lip etc.

Also let your baby know that you are unhappy when he bites you! When your baby stops sucking unlatch him with your fingers by putting your finger between the corner of baby's mouth and your breast…before he gets a chance to bite.

Read more on breastfeeding biting here

If you are latching properly you will have a lower chance of getting sore, cracked painful nipples. Read more about proper latching.

Other pages on breastfeeding problems in connection with nipple pain: