If you're dealing with pain while breastfeeding, check out this post for four helpful strategies.
If you’ve ever dealt with pain while breastfeeding, it can easily change how you thought how your breastfeeding experience would go.
Unlike what many of us hear, pain is not something you should “muscle through,” or bear and grin while breastfeeding. Pain is an indicator that something is wrong, and should be fixed.
First, let’s define “pain with breastfeeding.”
In the beginning days with your newborn, everything can feel tender after birth. Your nipples have never been stimulated like this before, and it can feel tender when your baby first latches on to the breast. This is expected, and should resolve within the first few minutes of a feeding, and after the initial postpartum days.
Now anytime a mother feels pain throughout an entire feeding, has bleeding, or generally winces when her baby latches, that signals persistent pain with breastfeeding. This usually means there is an underlying issue that should be addressed.
Whether you are dealing with tenderness or pain with breastfeeding, here are a few ways that you can manage it:
If your baby has poor positioning or a shallow latch, not only could that be the source of your pain, but it can also affect your baby’s ability to transfer enough milk at the breast. Here are a few reminders to guide you for a positioning check:
Close to your body
Head free to move back
Inline
Nose to Nipple
Silverettes, which are made from pure silver, are great to use for cracks, bruises, or any place that needs to heal. They also can act as a barrier between clothing and bras, which can be helpful in the early postpartum days.
A note: be sure to use the silverettes with 100% pure silver. Other brands have a mix of various metal alloys, which not only don’t work as well, but can cause allergic reactions.
Nipple butter, such as this one, can be helpful to manage any soreness associated with breastfeeding. Nipple creams can provide a protective barrier and promote skin healing. Simply apply a small amount after a feeding, and be sure to wipe it off before your baby's next feeding.
As a reminder, make sure to use only silverettes or a nipple butter/cream, as the creams can block the healing properties of the silver in silverettes.
The great news is, you don’t have to figure this out on your own! Nipple pain is one of the most common reasons why mothers seek support from a lactation consultant.
If you are having persistent pain with breastfeeding, contact an IBCLC who can make a comprehensive evaluation of your baby’s latch and milk transfer, and create a personalized plan to support your breastfeeding journey.
Sydney White is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant providing breastfeeding support in San Diego County.
Disclaimer: This information provided in this blog article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is important to consult with your qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about supplementation or addressing concerns about your baby's weight gain. This information is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. For further information, please consult with a pediatric healthcare provider or visit reputable medical sources such as the American Academy of Pediatrics or the World Health Organization
Please note that I do not receive any commissions or financial incentives from any companies or brands for recommending or endorsing products. Any recommendations are made solely to provide helpful insights and do not reflect any business relationships with the companies mentioned.
References:
Berens, P., Eglash, A., Malloy, M., & Steube, A. M. (2016). ABM Clinical Protocol #26: Persistent Pain with Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Medicine, 11(2), 46–53. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2016.29002.pjb.
Lucas, Ruth, et al. “Efficacy of a Breastfeeding Pain Self-Management Intervention: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.” Nursing Research, vol. 68, no. 2, 2019, pp. E1–E10, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30829925, https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0000000000000336.
Lauwers, Judith, and Anna Swisher. Counseling the Nursing Mother : A Lactation Consultant’s Guide. Burlington, Ma, Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2021.
Wilson-Clay, Barbara, and Kay Hoover. The Breastfeeding Atlas. Manchaca, Texas, Lactnews Press, 2022.
