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Sore Nipples When Breastfeeding? Fix Your Baby's Latch Like This

• Tim Kelas Antenatal & Postnatal
breastfeeding baby postpartum maternal-health

Breastfeeding should feel intimate and calm, not physically painful. If your nipples are sore or cracked, the main cause is almost certainly a shallow latch — and the good news is that it can be corrected.

Fix Your Baby’s Latch (Deep Latch)

A correct latch starts with the position of the baby’s mouth:

  • The baby should not just suck on the tip of the nipple (nipple feeding). Instead, the wide-open mouth should take in most of the lower dark area (areola).
  • Make sure the baby’s chin touches your breast.
  • The baby’s nose should point upwards and stay clear (not blocked).

Once the latch is right, your baby feeds more efficiently and your nipple no longer takes the full pressure of every session. Take time to find a comfortable position — a good latch tackles the pain at its root.

Treating Sore, Cracked Nipples Quickly

While you correct the latch, existing damage still needs care:

  1. Apply Your Own Breast Milk (EBM): After a pumping session, apply a drop of your breast milk to the nipple and let it air dry before putting on a bra — the blood cells and antibodies in breast milk help the damage heal naturally.
  2. Lanolin Nipple Cream: Use a lanolin cream that is safe for the baby to swallow, with no need to rinse before the next feed. It keeps the sore area moist and protected.

Tips While You Heal

  • Let your nipples air dry for a moment after feeding before covering them with a bra.
  • Check the baby’s position at every session — if the pain returns, correct the latch straight away.
  • Do not push through ongoing pain; correct breastfeeding should not hurt.
  • Working mothers can also refer to the 3-4 hour pumping schedule to maintain supply even when direct feeding is limited.
  • Make sure you know how to store expressed milk correctly so that milk you pump during recovery is not wasted.

References

  • La Leche League International. “Sore Nipples.”

This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or midwife.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main cause of sore nipples when breastfeeding?

The main cause of cracked, bleeding nipples is a shallow latch — when the baby only sucks on the tip of the nipple instead of a good portion of the areola.

What does a correct latch look like?

The baby's mouth must take in most of the lower dark area (areola), the baby's chin should touch the mother's breast, and the baby's nose should point upwards and stay clear (not blocked).

Can my own breast milk treat sore nipples?

Yes. After a pumping session, apply a drop of your own breast milk to the nipple and let it air dry before putting on a bra. The blood cells and antibodies in breast milk help heal the damage.

Is lanolin nipple cream safe to use before feeding?

Lanolin nipple cream is safe for the baby to swallow and does not need to be rinsed off before the next feeding session.