Sore Nipples

Sore Nipples

When you first start breastfeeding, your nipples may feel tender. Once you and your baby get the hang of it, breastfeeding should not hurt.

Sore nipples may happen:

  • If your baby doesn’t have a good latch
  • If your baby sucks only on the nipple
  • If your baby is pulled from your breast while they’re still sucking
  • If you are pumping with the wrong sized flange

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

  • Check your nipple after feeding baby
  • It should look round and long, or the same shape it was before the feeding.
  • If it looks flat or compressed when it comes out of your baby’s mouth, your baby may be sucking on only your nipple.

If your baby sucks only on the nipple:
1. Break their suction by putting your finger in the corner of their mouth
2. Let them try latching to your breast again
3. See Getting a Good Latch for more help

  • Ask your WIC Peer Counselor for help.....
  • They can watch you breastfeed to figure out why you are in pain and help you fix the problem.
  • Try changing positions each time you breastfeed
  • After breastfeeding, express a few drops of milk and gently rub it on your nipples
  • Human milk has natural healing properties and oils that soothe.
  • If your nipples crack, use mild soap and water to clean them
  • Let your nipples air-dry after feeding and wear a soft cotton shirt
  • Avoid tight clothes and bras that put pressure on your nipples
  • Place washable or disposable nursing pads in your bra to absorb leaks
  • Change often
  • Do not use harsh soaps, ointments, or astringents on your nipples

Stopping or delaying feedings can cause more pain and harm your milk supply. Before giving up, get help from WIC.

Talk to your healthcare provider, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, or other breastfeeding expert:

  • If your pain does not go away
  • If your pain comes on suddenly
  • Before using creams, hydrogel pads, or a nipple shield

Sore nipples may lead to a breast infection, which needs treated by a professional.

Feeding a 6-7 Month Old

Feed solids with a spoon and from a bowl, never from a bottle.

Feeding a 10-12 Month Old

Breast milk is the most important source of nutrition for your baby, even after you start offering solid foods.

Feeding a 8-9 Month Old

Feed solids with a spoon. Never put cereal in a bottle.

Tips

Mom new born home

Breast milk and formula feeding:

Around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months of age, babies may experience a growth spurt when they feed more often.

As they grow babies can hold more milk, so feedings may become further apart and take less time.

To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

Start offering whole milk when your baby is one year old.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months and beyond.

feeding solid foods

Feeding solid foods:

Wait to offer solid foods until your baby:

  • Can sit up and hold up their own head.
  • Opens their mouth when they see food.
  • Can close their lips around a spoon.

To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

Try one new food at a time. Wait 5 days before trying another new food to watch for allergies. Food allergies may include wheezing, rash, or diarrhea.

Introduce peanut butter around 6 months. Spread a small, thin smear of peanut butter or nut butter thinly on a cracker.  Watch your baby for any reaction for the next 2 hours.

Babies under one year should NOT have honey due to the risk of botulism. Also, babies should not have foods that can cause choking like nuts or whole grapes.

All babies are different. Talk with WIC or your baby’s healthcare provider about your baby’s needs.

Feeding Cues

Feeding a 4-5 Month Old

Before teeth come in, wipe gums with a soft, clean wash cloth after each feeding, especially before bed.

Feeding a 0-3 Month Old

Newborns have tiny tummies and need to be fed often. In the first few weeks, you may need to wake your baby to feed if they sleep longer than 4 hours.

Growth Spurts

Many babies are fussy during a growth spurt and will want to nurse longer and more often. This is called cluster feeding. This is your baby’s way of helping you increase your milk supply so that you can keep up with their needs. Remember, the more your baby nurses, the more milk your body makes.

Growth spurts can happen at any time, and every baby is different.

They often happen at these ages:

two-three-weeks

2 to 3 Weeks

6 Weeks

three-months

3 Months

six-months

6 Months

What foods can I get?

Authorized Food List
Authorized Food List

Where can I shop?