Feeding Patterns Is Baby Getting Enough? Let-Down Reflex Making Enough MilkToo Much Milk Leaking Your Nipples Family Planning Pump & Store Eating & Exercising Need Help?
Breastfeeding was not easy at first... But it gets easier and if it hurt in the beginning, it STOPS.
Yee-Ming Siu Cheng
Breastfeeding Mother
Your Nipples - Before you were a mom, you probably never imagined how hard your nipples would work.
Some moms experience tenderness in the first few days as they are learning how to breastfeed, but sharp pain while breastfeeding usually means that baby is not latched on correctly. If you feel pain, get help from a breastfeeding peer counselor or a lactation consultant as soon as possible to avoid damage to your nipple tissue. Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt.
- Once milk flow has begun and your baby has had some milk, she will be less hungry when brought to the second, more tender side. She will nurse less vigorously, making breastfeeding more comfortable.
- Make sure your baby’s body is in a straight line, with his nose lined up with your nipple.
- Try different feeding positions.
- Make sure that your baby has a good bit of your areola in his mouth. This is where your milk ducts are. He should have more of the bottom of the areola than the top in his mouth
- It should look the same way coming out than it did going in – not pinched.
- If it looks pinched or angled on the tip (like a new tube of lipstick) that means your baby is not getting a good latch. Get help from a breastfeeding peer counselor or a lactation consultant right away.
- Do not let your baby suckle on the tip of your nipple without any areola. This is a sure setup for discomfort, and your baby will not get much milk.
- Nursing with a bad latch can cause you more pain in the future.
- Waiting too long causes your baby to latch too aggressively, which hurts your nipples even more.
- When feedings are postponed, your breasts become even fuller, making it harder for your baby to grasp your breast.
- Less frequent feedings can reduce your milk supply.
- Your milk is full of vitamins and nutrients, and it has strong healing powers.
- If you have cracks or other breaks in your skin, rinse your nipples with a mix of mild salt water (1 tsp salt to 1 gallon water). Some moms use contact lens saline solution. This helps kill any surface bacteria.
- You can also apply lanolin to your nipples. Lanolin maintains the skin’s moisture and helps them heal. Make sure to only use a little as it is hard to wash off and too much can make it hard for baby to maintain a good latch. Be aware—lanolin is oily and can stain your clothing.
Massage can help your body get used to breastfeeding.
Learn more about reverse pressure softening (RPS) with this demonstration.
“There may be some tenderness at first. Your nipples are just not used to all that activity…”
