There’s plenty of amazing resources to explore that can help your breastfeeding journey be more comfortable for mom and baby. Learning how to navigate discomfort is one of the most important first steps as you start a brand new breastfeeding routine with your newborn.
We’ve put together some helpful tips and tricks to minimize breast and nipple pain during breastfeeding.
Nipple pain or discomfort before or after breastfeeding is usually the product of an improper latch or bad positioning. On other occasions, regular breastfeeding can cause nipples to become cracked or irritated. If the pain is persistent past the first 2 weeks, your baby might not be latching effectively.
There’s tons of factors that could affect a proper latch and most of them are biological. Sometimes a baby is born with a shorter tongue, smaller mouth, short frenulum or a higher palette. If you or your lactation consultant suspects this might be the cause of your discomfort, there’s special positions, procedures and techniques that will help you better overcome these obstacles.
Engorged or swollen breasts with an excess milk supply can also cause nipples to become tender or painful to the touch. Rashes or broken skin on or around the nipple can sometimes be attributed to changes in sucking pattern, baby’s saliva, or allergic reactions to soaps and detergents. Some women even experience allergic reactions to the plastics of their breast pump and nipple shield, making it really important to test products on a small area of skin before using it on more sensitive breast areas.
If you’re having problems latching your baby, try letting your baby latch themselves. Your baby has natural instincts to latch and although there may be a learning curve, a baby will typically get the hang of it on their own. Get in tune with your baby’s hunger cues to avoid over feeding when your breasts or nipples are feeling uncomfortable.
Not all discomforts are associated with an improper latch, so getting a second opinion is always a good idea. Identify symptoms of a bacterial or yeast infection, clogged ducts and other conditions like Reynaud’s syndrome will keep you in control of your breast health and finding more comfortable solutions.
Expressing milk onto cracked or chapped nipples works better than most lanolin products or creams. Your milk has it’s own antibacterial properties and it’s fat content is great for lubricating broken skin. An ice pack can also be your best friend when your breasts are feeling uncomfortable and numb your nipples before you latch.
If you’re experiencing discomfort in your breasts or nipples while breastfeeding, there’s some easy tips and tricks that can ease the pain. Consult with your doula or lactation specialist if you’re uncomfortable while breastfeeding so we can put you right on track with a healthy breastfeeding technique that works for you and your baby.