Ouch – breastfeeding can hurt, especially the first few days of nursing. Sore and damaged nipples are very common in the early days of breastfeeding. However, your nipple pain should be gradually improving and not getting worse. If you are experiencing nipple pain after breastfeeding or pumping, follow these steps below to heal your nips!
- Nurse your baby with a deep latch or pump on a low setting. A shallow latch can be very painful and be a cause of continuous nipple pain.
- Apply some nipple cream.I like to recommend nipple butter, lansinoh, nipple balm, earth mama, motherlove. Express a couple drops of your breastmilk and rub the ointment thin on your nipple. Breast Milk + nipple cream is the secret recipe.
- Grab those hydrogel pads from the fridge and put them on top of your nipple and the cream/milk mixture. Hydrogel brands include: Medela Tender Care, Ameda Comfort Gel, Lansinoh Soothies. You can get them at Target, Amazon, etc. Take the pads off once they are room temperature.
- Air out your nipples as many times as possible for 5-10 minutes. Undo your bra and let your nips hang out!
Are you still feeling pain? Not sure about your baby’s latch? Let’s schedule a Baby Pro video consultation and chat. You are not alone!