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Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

I thought I was committed to breastfeeding, but my nipples are killing me! They are sore, cracked, and even bloody. What can I do?

Re: I thought I was committed to breastfeeding, but my nipples are killing me! They are sore, cracked, and even bloody. What can I do?

The Bump Expert

Don't panic -- and don't quit. This is a problem that can be fixed. First, check your baby's latch. When he's feeding, he needs to open his mouth wide and take the entire areola in his mouth -- not just the nipple. You might need to tickle his lips or chin before he latches on to get him to open wide enough.

To soothe the pain in between feedings, apply a lanolin cream such as Lansinoh. It's safe for baby, so you don't have to wipe it off before he eats again. You can also try cool gel pads that fit in your bra.

If these remedies don't work, call in the big guns: A lactation consultant who can show you the best positions and techniques. Ask your OB or pediatrician for a referral or check the International Lactation Consultant Association's expert locater.

Paula Kashtan | June 02 , 2009 12:21 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

my nipples are so terribly sore, I've developed scabs on both of them. It hurts to wear bras because they push my nipples down and in. Lansinoh doesn't provide any relief whatsoever. Where can I get the cool gel pads, or plastic nipple sheilds?

lherring131 | August 26 , 2009 6:38 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

I've been having the same problem. . . I found the gel pads at Babies'r'us which did make my nipples a little more bearable. The nipple shields are there too, but I've been warned not to use these or only use sparingly since they can cause low milk supply or your baby not wanting to latch on to your own nipple later. Icing and allowing as much fresh air to your nipples also lets them heal faster. I'm still struggling myself with my 3 wk old, but it helps to know we're not the only ones. Good Luck!

FlMama13 | September 06 , 2009 10:33 AM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

The best thing that I have found is these things called 2nd skin they are used for burns. the are gel pads. This is my third baby and with my first i was crying and having a hard time. And then someone told me about these. now this time around i started using them before the pain even came and it works so well. I also use it with a combination of lansinoh too. Hope this helps. :-)

tori31 | October 12 , 2009 9:24 AM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

First- don't give up! It will pass. Especially once the baby begins to latch correctly. Second buy an organic lanolin free nipple butter- my fav: NIPSTICK by THE SPOILED MAMA. I swear by it and it has saved me and my friends over the last couple of years ;) It is completely safe for mom and baby. Actually their entire line is awesome! Good luck and congrats on your new baby!

ablessedmama | March 11 , 2010 6:46 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

i use a nipple shield and it works great! I have a really big areola and small inverted nipples, so even though he latched okay it still really hurt! I recommend the nipple shield, it'lll take some getting use to but it's definitley worth it! U can get them at target.

Junesong_109 | March 21 , 2010 5:37 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

I found that if I pumped once or twice a day, it relieves the pain of sore nipples. They also suffer less cuts and scabs. But most importantly...don't give up!!

ckane76 | April 01 , 2010 7:05 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

try lansinoh lanolin nipple balm. it helps a lot, and you can also try rubbing a small amount of your milk on your nipples every hour or so. it really helps.

anyanca | April 27 , 2010 6:08 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

I had a problem with my nipples as well. They were really sore and it was unbearable to have the baby feed. My step-mom mentioned getting gel pads and I did. They work really well. The gel pads can be found at Walgreens, I believe they are called Soothies gel pads. They can be put in the fridge while they aren't being used and it works great.

VSutcliffe21 | July 16 , 2010 3:34 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

i agree also i did pump once sometimes twice a day right b4 a feeding and bottle fed just to give my nipples a break also it might help to latch the baby at difrent angles this way there not hitting the same area all the time. mt lil one likes to "fall off" the nipple alot when she dozes and then relach it was awfull so i fell for you!

deztiney1 | September 14 , 2010 12:22 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

are there any alternatives to using lanolin? I'm allergic to wool, so my doc didnt think it'd be good idea to risk a reaction...but my nipples are so sore!

asterialeigh | September 17 , 2010 8:27 AM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

asterialeigh, Try Lanolin Free "Nipple Butter" by the First Years. I'm not allergic to wool, but I accidentally bought it at Target.

asiandiva1006 | November 22 , 2010 3:55 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

I agree with using a nipple shield...that and lanolin (or an equivalent) until your nipples have healed. The new ultra-thin contact nipple shields do not cause a decrease in milk production like the old ones, so there isn't a huge rush to wean your baby off the shield if it works well for you. I used a nipple shield for the full year I breastfed my first son and am on the same track with my second who is 8 months old now. They are available at babies r us, CVS (I think), amazon.com, plus tons of online stores (just google contact nipple shields). I also bought a Shield Shell to store each of my shields at www.shieldshell.com. I keep one in the diaper bag at ALL TIMES, plus one in each of my favorite nursing spots around the house. They're great because they keep my shields clean and safe from my dog and two-year-old between feedings, plus they make it easy to find my shield when I'm too tired to see straight in the middle of the night.

indymom82 | December 31 , 2010 7:48 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

I feel for all of you as I have been there. I had horribly damaged cracked nipples, I was on a constant regimen of tylenol but that didn't help. I know it was because of baby's bad latch but I tried everything I could to improve her latch with no real luck. I tried the Lanolin cream, I tried the gel pads, I even tried a prescription cream (All Purpose Nipple Cream) - nothing helped. I also tried nipple shields but baby had a hard time getting milk with them. What worked for me was pumping and bottle feeding the expressed milk for about 2 weeks. This allowed my nipples to heal. It was hard to find the time to feed and then pump, especially at night but it worked out. I then went back to breastfeeding at night and then back to full time breastfeeding. My nipples are grossly scarred but breastfeeding is still going well at 3 months.

candyk12 | January 06 , 2011 7:27 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

It is no t easy to be a breastfeeding mom. I had a breakdown, but came back to my senses after I though about how important it is to give my baby my milk1 Get sleep and stay the course, my sister says the soreness passes after a month.

campbelletara | March 30 , 2011 7:45 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

I feel all of you on this one. I started out with only one that was sore and now it is both sides!! It has been hard for us because I had to pump when my baby was stuck in the hospital and I was discharged. In the hospital she was given pacifiers and fast flowing bottles, it changed how she sucks. I have noticed she plays with nipples with her tongue which is hard on me! Usually if I can get through the initial toe curling pain...it goes away as she feeds. She will also stop and start which kills, so I try to keep her head in the same position so she doesn't lose latch. Other things I do are small boo-boo buddy packs that I can put in my bra behind my leak pads, this helps a lot. I have tried the "Soothies" but don't like that you have to wash your nipples before baby eats... best of luck all! Keep reminding yourself - it can only get better.

Bees Baby | April 30 , 2011 9:41 AM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

See you lactation specialist. My baby is latching perfectly and my milk supply ample but it turned out he was tongue tied. As a result he was only bringing my nipple half way down his throat (he should bring it to where the soft and hard pallet meet). Because the nipple wasnt reaching as far back as it should, it was going up and down instead of back and forth, my precious boy tore me up. I have nipple trauma where I have huge valleys not cracks. My lactation specialist put me on nipple rest and I pumping or using the shield for a week. She also perscribed me a "triple nipple cream.". It's made up of 3 creams and lotions; two prescriptions and monistat cream. She also told me to use a saline wash after each feed. I use the squirt bottle from the hospital and make my own- 1/4 tsp salt an water, then take a shower and use soap to clean the bacteria, apply my ointment, and use gel pads that I have cooled in the fridge, motrin, and finally sleep. It's quite the routine but I would have never known my boy was tongue tied otherwise. He has had a minor procedure to correct his problem. Hopefully, with all that I'm doing, I will heal. Not only does being tongue tied effect breast feeding, it could be related to speech issues, and French kissing! My advise- don't grin and bare it. Get help. After 10 days you should not be in pain. All the lanolin I'm the world would not have helped me. Good luck and don't feel guilty if you have to take a rest and formula feed or pump. We give our boy formula at night and at two weeks we have one to two wake ups. It is what works for you and your family! Good luck!

motieku | May 06 , 2011 11:20 AM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

I had a similar problem to Bees Baby, whilst in hospital, the nurses gave my little girl formula using fast flowing bottles and she went from her initial latch immediately after birth, which was perfect, to not wanting to open her mouth or suck properly because she knew there was an easier way. I ended up with cracked bleeding nipples and I don't know which of us cried the hardest at night when she was hungry and chewing on me, latching, sliding off, then latching again, and generally damaging my nipples. I called a LC and she took me off breastfeeding and had me pump and feed the milk using a bottle with a slow-feed nipple for a week to give my nipples time to heal and use the Medela gel pads and lanolin gel, but I wasn't healing so I ended up going to the doctor and getting a prescription for triple nipple cream, which contains an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and pain relieving cream combined. That worked wonders on the cracks and has stopped the bleeding but I'm still incredibly sore and have to use nipple shields. The LC came back last night and assessed the baby's latch and it turns out she has an exaggerated gag reflex so she can't take my nipple as deep into her mouth as she should, leaving me being rubbed against her hard pallet, plus, because I seem to be producing enough milk for triplets and have an extremely strong letdown, she was gagging on the sudden rush of milk down her throat, causing her to pull part way off then latch back again just on my nipple. Also, the large volume of milk means my breasts are rock hard and pushed so far out my nipples are practically flat, making it even harder for her to latch on properly. The shields are a big help, but I'm hoping that as she gets a bit bigger I will be able to wean off them and get her back to just my breast. I'm hoping perseverence pays off, I just have to look at her face and it is all worthwhile. Good luck everybody!

Hefalump | May 28 , 2011 4:22 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

Don't give up on breastfeeding! Still continue to nurse often, the sore, cracked nipples usually get better after about 1-2 wks. Make sure your baby is latching on properly. The entire areola needs to be in his mouth. In the meantime you can use Lanolin cream on your nipples between feedings and they also have these cool "gel pads" that you can place on your nipples that help relieve the soreness. When you are done using the gel pads you place them back into the fridge to become cool again for the next time you need them. The more you breastfeed and nurse this problem will go away!!

lbradber | June 12 , 2011 1:18 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

I agree with motieku - check with your lactation consultant. My son was also tongue tied so he wasn't bringing my nipple all the way back to his soft palette, which was causing the nipple trauma for me. He was also 'chewing' instead of sucking since he couldn't stick his tongue out at birth (we had his tongue tie clipped at 1 week). The lactation specialist also referred us to a speech therapist who is helping us teach him how to suck properly instead of chew. We are at 6 weeks now and he is feeding much better and my nipples have begun to heal.

LeahCHB | September 20 , 2011 4:00 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

My God, that must be horrible. I never had this issue but I’m so squeamish that I would have quit for sure. I will ask a friend of mine to tell me more related to this topic, she got an online masters in nursing degree and she should know about it, even if she had a baby and still, I never heard her mentioning anything about breastfeeding.

MiaWeiman | January 03 , 2012 2:45 PM

Q&A: Sore nipples from breastfeeding?

My nipples are terribly sore as well. My friend told me to not use the Lansinoh and move to the Motherlove Nipple Cream. It's all natural ingredients and safe for baby and mom. You don't have to wash it off between feedings. At first, I didn't put enough on and it works much better if you put a thicker layer on the nipple itself. It's about $10 and I purchased it at Whole Foods. Otherwise, I just wait for the first painful 20-30 seconds to end and then it seems to go smoothly after that.

bonsterr | March 14 , 2012 11:19 AM

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