Nipple Pain

Typically, sore, cracked, bleeding, and possibly blistering nipples are the signs of a poor latch. In pain, the mother will often feel depressed and discouraged about continuing to breastfeed. She should not wait to see if it gets better on its own and should call for lactation help immediately. Keep in mind that in the first week to 10 days, a breastfeeding mother will encounter some hormonal nipple tenderness. This is normal and if the initial discomfort from the latch subsides within 15 to 30 seconds, she's fine. When pain continues throughout the feeding, something is wrong and needs to be corrected by seeing a Board Certified Lactation Consultant . In the meantime, here are some fantastic remedies which heal and soothe the nipples:

• Warm saline soaks. Put 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water (preferably in a bowl -- not on a washcloth) and soak the entire nipple for 10 minutes. Air dry the nipple and if desired, put on some lanolin (Lansinoh or Medela's PureLan are excellent products).
• Express some milk onto the nipples and let it air dry.
• Wear hydrogel pads between feedings.