How to care for your nipples

Breastfeeding is a natural process that should be enjoyable for you and your baby. This helps mother and baby bond, and breast milk contains all the nutrients a growing baby needs. However, it takes a little practice and patience to get it right.

Many new mothers may initially experience pain or discomfort in their nipples. This can be caused by the baby's position, latching on to the breast, or suckling. Luckily, there are several ways to fix this and take care of your nipples so that breastfeeding becomes a special experience for you and your baby.

How to take care of your nipples while breastfeeding

While breastfeeding, you should make it a habit to check your breasts and nipples regularly. By doing this, you can identify potential problems before they get worse in the future.

Regular breast and nipple care

Do the following while breastfeeding:

Wash your hands with soap and water before each feeding. Touch the breasts and nipples only with clean hands.
Wear a clean bra with proper support every day. Nursing bras are generally the easiest to use while breastfeeding. Cotton bras also breathe better and allow air to circulate.
Avoid using soap or shampoo on your nipples. Wash your nipples with water only, as soap can wash away the natural lubrication. This lubricant prevents your nipples from drying out and cracking during breastfeeding.
After each feed, put a few drops of breast milk on your nipples. This helps to moisturize the nipple and fight possible infections.

Sore Nipples Caused by Latching

Breastfeeding isn't supposed to be painful, so if you find that one or both of your nipples are sore after feeding, it's a sign that your baby can't breastfeed properly. This is the most common cause of nipple pain while breastfeeding. You may need to try different positions while holding your baby to find the right one.

If your baby suckles properly, your nipple should rest against his soft palate and not cause pain or discomfort. Correcting this position should make it easier for sore nipples to heal.

Another sign that your baby is not latching properly is when your nipples become flat, wedge-shaped, or white. To help your baby latch on well, give him a light tickle to open his mouth wide. Point the nipple at the baby's nose and upper lip so that he can have more of the areola in his mouth, not just the nipple.

Care for sore nipples

If you are doing regular breast and nipple care but are still experiencing pain, there are a few home treatments you can try.

Change breast pads when they get wet. Try to avoid using plastic-lined breast pads.
Do not wipe your nipples after breastfeeding. After each feeding, let the nipples dry naturally for 10-15 minutes.
Try over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Avoid using chest pads. They do not improve your baby's latch on and may further irritate your nipples.
Expressing breast milk at low pressure can help nipples heal.
You can apply 100% pure lanolin to your nipples with a cotton swab after feeding to relieve pain.
Let baby suck as much as he needs. A common misconception is that short feedings can prevent sore nipples, but this is not the case.

When to ask for help

If you are still experiencing pain or aches, you may want to see a midwife or lactation consultant. They can help you determine if your pain is caused by a bad grip or something else. If a bad lockout is the cause, they may show you different positions or techniques to get it right.

In addition to incorrect position during feeding, pain can also be caused by a number of different factors.

Your child may have a tongue tie. It occurs when the frenulum or strip of tissue under the tongue is short and restricts the movement of the tongue. This may prevent your baby from latching on well.
Infection of the nipples.
Some skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis can cause nipple soreness during breastfeeding.
Vasospasm, which is a narrowing of the blood vessels surrounding the nipple.
Blockage of the milk duct or mastitis causing a hard lump in the breast.

Seeking medical help can help you find the cause of your pain so you can resolve it and resume healthy, pain-free breastfeeding.