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Top 10 ways to prevent and treat sore nipples

Breastfeeding shouldn't hurt. Here's help if it does

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Originally published on TodaysParent.com July 08, 2011

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Ouch! Your baby begins to nurse and it hurts! Sore nipples are a frequent complaint for breastfeeding mothers, and some assume it’s an inevitable part of the nursing experience. But lactation experts agree that pain is a sign that something isn’t right.

The most common cause? The baby is not taking the nipple deeply enough into his mouth. For breastfeeding to be comfortable, the baby needs to have the entire nipple and part of the breast in his mouth, so that the nipple is near the back of his mouth where the palate is soft. This good latch is more likely to happen if the baby latches on with his head tipped back so that his chin is pressed into the mother’s breast and his nose is away from the breast. Of course, every baby and every breast is a little different, so you may need to adjust the positioning to find what works best for both of you.

Try these ideas for preventing nipple soreness and solving the problem if it does happen.

Let your baby self-latch

Humans, like the newborns of other mammals, have innate breastfeeding abilities and are capable of finding the breast and latching on well with only minimal help from the mother. (Some medications and interventions in labour and birth may make this more difficult for some babies in the first hours and days after birth.) If the mother gets into a comfortable, semi-reclining position and puts the baby tummy-down on her body (gravity will help keep him there, but mom can use her hands to provide some support if needed), with the baby’s head near her breasts, the baby will orient himself by bobbing his head, and move towards the breast to latch on. This can take time, but usually results in an effective, pain-free latch.

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    • 17 March 2013
  • Ginette (not verified) says ....

    I never timed. I would offer one when bub detached I'd burp them then rectatah to the same. Bub detaches a 2nd time burp again then offer the 2nd breast. Next feed start on what was the 2nd breast last time.A small safety pin on your bra strap can help keep track of where youre upto.This method helps baby draw out the thicker more filling hind milk from the starting side then a little formilk from the 2nd tops them off helps alleviate any pressure from the 2nd. With #2 I always leaked of the 2nd anyway, with #3 I used to hold a bottle to the other store for backup what poured out. (yes I was blessed the 3rd time around, wish Id had the same for the 1st!)Still feed as often for as long as bub wants. His tummy is still little and breast milk is so quickly digested. Youre also still building your supply.I did it all by the book with #1 and it was hard, with the next 2 I lost the books ditched the clock looked at my babies. Count your 6-8 wet/soiled nappies a day to know hes hydrated, settles relatively well youre on the right track. Remember sleeping like a baby is a fallacy, babies wake up soiled hungry every couple of hrs!Besides bubs so much more enjoyable to look at than clocks or books!

    • 5 May 2012
  • Hayal (not verified) says ....

    You can do which ever you prefer, alhguoth they both have advantages. You can do either of those, or just offer one breast at each feeding.If you only offer one breast at each feed, your baby will get all the thirst quenching fore milk, then all the rich and satisfying hind milk and will completely empty the breast. However, you may also look lop-sided, with one full breast and one empty breast.You could feed first from one breast, and then from the other breast, but this way your baby may just get the fore milk, and then more fore milk so he may not be as satisfied, unless you let him completely empty the first breast. You can fix this by making sure that your baby feeds really well from the first breast, and then after burping, finishes off on the second breast. You should also start with a different breast each time, left one this time, right one next time!Some mothers prefer one way, other mothers prefer the other way it is up to you and what works best for you and your baby.I breast fed from one side, burped the baby, breast fed from the second side and let them nurse as long as they liked.Good Luck!

    • 3 May 2012