Begin feeding on the least sore nipple to start your let-down reflex.
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 baby is positioned correctly
- 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 you have a good latch
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.
Look at your nipple when it comes out of your baby's mouth
- It should look the same way coming as 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 latching properly. Get help from a breastfeeding peer counselor or a lactation consultant right away.