Tender nipples

You may notice your nipples feel a bit tender when baby begins to nurse. It may take a few minutes after baby starts nursing before your milk begins to flow. The discomfort should disappear as the breastmilk begins to flow and baby swallows.

If the soreness continues or the nipples become cracked and tender, it may be due to incorrect positioning of baby at the breast. Read the information again on positioning baby (in the Baby Care section) to make sure you are breastfeeding correctly.

Things that may help:

1. Check baby’s latch. Is the pigmented area  (the areola) in the back of baby’s mouth?
2. Change baby’s position at the breast frequently.
3. Offer more frequent nursing. Watch baby’s feeding cues and begin breastfeeding at the earliest signs of rooting. Wait for baby to open mouth wide. Look for a slow, smooth  sucking pattern.
4. Start breastfeeding on the least sore side first.
5. Break suction by inserting a finger into the corner of baby’s mouth instead of pulling baby off your nipple.
6. Air dry after every feeding.
7. Apply expressed breastmilk gently to nipples and areola and allow to dry.

If your healthcare provider recommends a breast cream, apply a small amount to the nipple after baby has nursed.