Your body will eventually build up a callous (not as thick as your foot callous) in about 2 weeks. Then breastfeeding gets significantly less painful (most of the time).
In the past, mothers were encouraged to “toughen up” their nipples before birth by rubbing them with towels or a loofah (ouch). The good news is that this is absolutely unnecessary. In fact, your nipples are supposed to be soft and comfortable in baby's mouth—not “toughened up.”
As a new mother, you may find it could take a few days or weeks to adapt to the strong suck of a healthy baby on your breasts.
Soreness normally settles down after a few days as your body gets used to breastfeeding and your baby's sucking becomes more efficient. Consult a healthcare professional, lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist if the pain while breastfeeding doesn't subside after a few days.
Normal soreness or pain usually occurs for about a minute when the baby first latches on to the breast. Pain that is severe or continuous or that occurs again after it seemed to resolve is a sign of a problem and should be corrected. Other problems may include cracked, bleeding, or bruised nipples.
In the first three to five days after birth, if you experience nipple soreness beyond a slight tenderness when your baby latches on, it may be a sign that something isn't right with the baby's latch, position, or suck. An adjustment to the latch or positioning can help you and your baby to be more comfortable.
Sore nipples can develop for many reasons including a poor breastfeeding latch, not using a breast pump correctly, or an infection. Then, once you have them, sore nipples can lead to a difficult let-down, a low breast milk supply, or early weaning.
Self-help tips for sore nipples
wear a cotton bra so air can circulate. keep feeding your baby for as long as they want – keeping breastfeeds short to "rest" your nipples will not ease nipple pain and could affect your milk supply.
This is very common in the first week of breastfeeding, and is usually because your baby is not latching on (positioned or attached) properly. If you do have nipple pain, speak to your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist as soon as possible – breastfeeding should not be painful!
Your body will eventually build up a callous (not as thick as your foot callous) in about 2 weeks. Then breastfeeding gets significantly less painful (most of the time).
Sore, tender, cracked, blistered and even bleeding nipples are common problems for the newbie nursing mom. Know that you're not alone and that eventually your nipples will heal and toughen up.
The size and shape of your nipples do not affect your ability to breastfeed. Most babies can breastfeed no matter what mom's nipple is like.
No. Washing your nipples after (or before) feeding will only cause your nipples to become dry and irritated. Your breast milk actually contains many factors that inhibit the growth of bacteria and yeast and help provide natural protection to your nipple and your baby, so it's okay to leave some of it on your nipples.
How long does healing take. The duration of the healing will vary. Superficial and recent soreness may clear in a matter of hours or days. However, long-established and profound wounds may require a up to 2 or 3 weeks to be entirely resolved even after the cause of the soreness has been eliminated.
Treating Sore Nipples for Rapid Breastfeeding Pain Relief
After a feeding, soothe sore nipples by rubbing lanolin or even some of your own breast milk on them. If there is a break in the skin, hydrogel pads can provide immediate cooling relief and aid in tissue healing.
Summary of Use during Lactation
Lanolin is a yellow fat obtained from sheep's wool. It has traditionally been used topically to treat sore, cracked nipples during breastfeeding.
If your sore nipples are causing you so much discomfort that you feel like you need to take a break from breastfeeding, don't worry! You can still use a breast pump to express your milk. This will give your nipples a rest, while allowing you to continue to give your baby all the benefits breastmilk can provide.
Lipstick nipple
If your nipple comes out of your baby's mouth flattened, or slanted like a new tube of lipstick, it's a sign your baby's latch when breastfeeding isn't deep enough.
Possible causes of low supply
Your baby is not attaching well at the breast. This may also cause nipple pain and damage. Your baby does not feed often enough.
There are signs of ineffective sucking in the baby who:
Does not wake on his / her own for feedings eight or more times in 24 hours. Latches on and then lets go of the breast often during the feeding. Falls asleep within five minutes of latch-on or after sucking two or three minutes.
When babies are latched on wrong, it can hurt or feel like a pinch each time your baby sucks. Over time, this can lead to painful, sore, cracked nipples. If you have pain during breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or lactation consultant to make sure your baby is properly latched or that something else isn't going on.
The latch is comfortable and pain free. Your baby's chest and stomach rest against your body, so that baby's head is straight, not turned to the side. Your baby's chin touches your breast. Your baby's mouth opens wide around your breast, not just the nipple.
With a shallow latch, your baby's chin and mouth are closed tighter than if her mouth and jaw were wide open. To help her develop a deep latch, pull her chin down to encourage her to open her mouth. Slip your finger between her chin and your breast and gently pull her chin down.