Nipple Pain with Breastfeeding: No it is not supposed to hurt (but thank you grandma for the words of advice).

Have you ever heard of statements such as “your nipples will harden up once they get used to breastfeeding” or “you should have strengthened your nipples up before the baby came to get them ready for nursing?” When it comes to sore nipples, none of these statements are true! In fact, if you are feeling nipple pain before, after, or during a feed then this usually equates toother issues and is NOT just a normal part of breastfeeding.

Although nipple pain is not a normal part of breastfeeding it is common! Many women

experience nipple pain and we want to talk about common causes and great solutions!

Common Causes of Nipple Pain:

A) Baby doesn’t have a great latch. Listen, if there is a poor latch it does not mean you have to give up nursing. We hear all the time that breastfeeding is natural but this does not mean it isn't HARD and something learned between the nursing mom and baby.

Working with a Lactation Specialist helps you find a healthy way of nursing that positively impacts you and your baby! There is not just one right way.

B) Chaffing. When nursing we are often wearing reusable or disposable nursing pads and at times these may irritate the skin. Be sure to change the pads frequently and choose a soft fabric to prevent irritation.

C) Wrong size of breast pump shield. This is very common because most pumps you purchase come with only 1 size of shield in the kit. There are a variety of sizes to choose from. Your breast shield is too small if your nipple is being sucked far into the flange or your nipple is rubbing against the sides of the shield.

D) Engorged Breasts. This is when your breasts become very full and it can make it more difficult for your baby to get a good latch. You can try to soften the breast with some gentle compression and milk expression to allow for a nice deep latch for baby.

E).Thrush. Thrush is a yeast infection that can occur on and around the nipple area as well as in the baby's mouth. Symptoms include nipple pain that may be burning, itching, or stinging, shooting or stabbing pain in the breast, flaking or shiny skin on nipple area, and nipple or breast redness or shiny appearance.

What can I do to help my nipple pain:

1. Reach out to a Lactation Consultant. Using lactation support is the first line of defense. Having a Lactation Specialist do an assessment will allow you and your baby to get set up for a positive breastfeeding experience. This may help identify lip and tongue ties, latch and positioning improvements, and more.

2. MINT Pharmacy “Magic” Nipple Ointment. If nipple trauma and pain are already occurring then it can be beneficial to use a medicated nipple ointment to help with healing while you work on other aspects of the breastfeeding dyad. This nipple ointment helps to soothe damaged skin and also includes ibuprofen to help with pain and a gentle antibiotic to help prevent any bacterial infections. The best part is the Pharmacist can

prescribe it for you and it is safe for mom and baby.

3. Allow your nipples some time to breathe. They are working hard right now! Have some time where your nipples do not have stimulation from breast pads or clothing layers and give them a break from chaffing. Use some of your powerful breastmilk to help soothe the area as well.

If you are experiencing nipple pain please reach out to a member of The Nurtured Baby or MINT

Pharmacy to help get relief right away. You do not have to have literal toe curling (yes, we have

been there) pain when bonding with your baby. We are here to help!

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Hailee Schollaardt, LPN

MINT Pharmacy: Team Lead for Clinical Outreach