If you can, continue breastfeeding (it is quite safe for baby to feed on a bleeding nipple). But if it's too painful, you may need to take your baby off the breast for 24 to 48 hours, rest the nipple and feed your baby expressed breast milk.
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.
You may be able to breastfeed with cracked or bleeding nipples – but if this becomes too painful, you may need to stop breastfeeding and pump for a few days (or possibly longer) to let your nipples heal. Exclusive pumping is one way to give yourself a break.
To reduce pain, apply cool compresses to your nipples after breastfeeding. Gel pads can also be used on dry nipples. If your nipples are very sore, placing breast shields inside your bra to prevent contact between clothes and nipples may help. Use proper breast support.
If you get sore nipples when breastfeeding, it's usually because your baby is not positioned and attached properly at the breast. It's important not to stop breastfeeding. With help, feeding should quickly become more comfortable again.
Superficial nipple fissures may heal within a few hours to a day, while deeper fissures can take two to three weeks to completely heal.
First – on their own, sore nipples won't cause your milk supply to decrease. Milk supply is primarily driven by demand. That means that the more milk you remove from your breasts (either via your baby nursing or a breast pump), the more milk your body should make.
Usually, nipple fissures appear because your baby isn't latching onto your breast to nurse correctly. Your baby may struggle to get enough milk, putting more strain on sensitive nipple tissue as they try to feed.
Bleeding Nipples
Yes, it is considered safe to continue breastfeeding and giving your child pumped breast milk even if your nipples are bleeding or you notice blood in your breast milk. A small amount of blood in your breast milk is not harmful, and it will not affect your baby or your milk.
It doesn't matter how well your baby latches—if your nipples have cracks or cuts or are bleeding or bruised, breastfeeding can hurt. That's why it's important to give them as many opportunities to heal as possible.
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.
Research shows warm, moist heat is soothing for sore nipples and can help your skin heal faster. To use moist heat, run a clean washcloth or cloth diaper under warm (not hot) water, squeeze out the extra water and place it directly over your nipple.
Give them some air: After you breastfeed, wipe your breasts with clean water, use a warm compress to ease any pain, and let your nipples air dry without any friction. If you must, put on a clean bra that is well fitted and made of breathable fabric.
There are usually no obvious signs of thrush on your nipples. However some signs may be present and include: your nipples may appear bright pink; the areola may be reddened, dry or flaky. Rarely a fine white rash may be seen.
Some causes of cracked or bleeding nipples include: Baby isn't latching properly. If your baby does not have your entire nipple and part of your breast in their mouth, they are not latching properly. Changing his or her position while nursing can help improve latching, which will allow your nipples to heal.
Check your nipples at the end of each feed for signs of damage. They might look squashed or you might see cracks. If you think your nipples are damaged, see your midwife, GP or child and family health nurse or talk to an ABA counsellor.
Symptoms of a bad latch include: The nipple looks slanted (like a tube of lipstick) or has a white line across it. Your nipple should be round after breastfeeding. You can see your baby sucking in their cheeks as they try to feed.
To find out if your baby is sucking only on your nipple, check what your nipple looks like when it comes out of your baby's mouth. Your nipple should not look flat or compressed. It should look round and long or the same shape as it was before the feeding. Get answers to common questions about breastfeeding and pain.
Signs of a Poor Breastfeeding Latch
Your child is sucking in their cheeks as they try to breastfeed. Your baby does not have their lips out like a fish. You can see that they have their lips tucked in and under, instead. You can hear a clicking or smacking noises as your little one tries to suck.
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.
Air-dry your nipples or dab them gently with a towel. Women used to be told to rub their nipples to toughen them up, but this isn't advised any more – thank goodness! There's no need to clean the breast or nipples before breastfeeding.