Pain and sores on the nipples

If your baby does not latch well, the nipples can become very sore and breastfeeding may start to hurt. In many cases, the problem improves simply by finding a more comfortable feeding position.

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What can we do about nipple pain?

Swipe for suggestions on how to ease pain, sores, and cracks on the nipples. Scroll down for tips to relieve the discomfort while you work on improving the latch. If the pain does not improve, contact your health visitor. If your baby is under one week old, you can also contact your maternity ward.

A good feeding position makes a big difference

A comfortable breastfeeding position is key to making feeding work well and preventing sore nipples. There is no “right” or “wrong” position — the important thing is that it feels comfortable for you and your baby, and that your baby can latch deeply onto the breast. Some babies latch well from the start; others need more practice. Try different positions and pay attention to what feels best.

Read more about breastfeeding positions

 

Support your baby to get a deep latch

If your baby is not latched on well, gently insert a finger into the corner of the mouth to help them release, then try again, perhaps in a different position.
Different breastfeeding positions work better for different babies.

What matters most is that:

  • Your baby faces you directly, tummy to tummy, so they do not need to twist their head. If your baby turns away from the nipple, you can help them turn back by expressing a few drops of milk onto the nipple with your hand.
  • Your baby’s nose is level with the nipple, so they need to tilt their head slightly back to latch.
  • Your baby opens their mouth wide before you bring them close to the breast.

If your baby struggles to latch because your nipples are very flat or inverted — and feeding is very painful — a nipple shield may sometimes help. If you are considering using one, talk first with staff on the postnatal ward or your health visitor. Nipple shields can affect milk transfer and may reduce your milk supply if not used correctly.

How to tell if your baby is latched on well

You can usually see that your baby has a good latch when:

  • Your baby’s chin rests against your breast and the nose is free
  • The mouth is wide open, with the lips — especially the lower lip — turned outwards
  • The lower lip covers more of the darker skin around the nipple than the upper lip
  • Your baby sucks and swallows in a steady, rhythmic pattern

Watch the video to see what it looks like if a baby has a good latch.

A small shift can make feeding more comfortable

If your nipples still hurt, even when it looks as though your baby is latched on well, try moving your baby slightly or changing your feeding position.
When you position your baby, make sure they are not “hanging” on the breast — they should not need to stretch to reach the nipple. Keep your baby close to you, tummy to tummy. Many babies achieve this best in a reclined feeding position.

Sometimes moving your baby just a few centimetres can make feeding feel completely different and much more comfortable. Other times, switching to another breastfeeding position can help. Try different options and notice what feels most comfortable for both of you.

Try a different position

If feeding is still painful even after shifting your baby slightly, try starting again in a new breastfeeding position. Gently release your baby from the breast by placing a finger in the corner of their mouth, then reposition and begin the feed again. The link below shows different feeding positions and how to find one that feels comfortable and works well for you and your baby.

Read more about breastfeeding positions

 

Hold your baby skin to skin

When your newborn lies skin to skin with you, their natural feeding reflexes are activated, and they are more ready to latch well at the breast. If your baby finds it difficult to latch, skin-to-skin contact is especially important — not only during feeds, but also between them.

Try a gentle ‘reset’ with breastfeeding

If your baby is struggling to latch or your nipples are very sore, it can sometimes help to “start over” — as if you were doing that very first breastfeed again. Here is how:

  • Lay your baby on your chest, skin to skin
  • Position your arms so they form a soft “nest”, giving your baby something to push their feet against
  • Your baby will gradually start to move towards the breast and, with time, latch more deeply

Could your baby have a tight tongue-tie?

If you continue to have nipple pain or sores, it may be worth checking whether your baby has a tight tongue-tie. Some signs that tongue-tie might be affecting feeding include:

  • Ongoing nipple pain, often with repeated sores
  • A shallow latch or difficulty sucking effectively
  • Your baby taking in too little milk, feeding for a very long time, or becoming restless at the breast
  • Slow weight gain
  • Your milk supply dropping because the breast is not emptied well
  • Recurrent mastitis due to incomplete breast emptying

If you are concerned that tongue-tie may be causing feeding difficulties, contact your health visitor for advice and support.

Seek help if the pain continues

It is important to get support if nipple pain does not improve. If you are still in pain after trying different suggestions, contact your health visitor — or your maternity ward if your baby is under one week old.

Read more about where to get help

Helpful tips for easing nipple pain

Nipple pain usually improves once your baby latches deeply and feeds effectively.
While you are working towards a more comfortable latch, it can help to know how to ease the discomfort in the meantime. Swipe for suggestions that can help relieve nipple pain.

Offer the breast as soon as your baby shows early signs

When your nipples are sore, it is completely understandable to hesitate before putting your baby to the breast. But waiting often makes your baby suck more strongly once they finally latch — which can make the pain worse.
A very full breast can also be harder for your baby to latch onto. For this reason, it helps to offer the breast often and as soon as your baby shows the first signs of hunger. You can see in the video below how babies show early feeding cues.

Get the milk flowing before latching your baby – begin on the least sore breast

Your baby will usually suck quite strongly until the let-down reflex starts and the milk begins to flow. If your nipples are sore, it can help to wait until the milk is already flowing before you latch your baby.

You can encourage the let-down by gently massaging the breast and hand-expressing a small amount of milk. Because babies suck most strongly at the beginning of a feed, you may also protect your nipples by starting on the breast that feels least sore.

Watch this video on how to stimulate the let-down reflex:

Express milk and offer it by cup or spoon

If your nipples are too sore for breastfeeding — especially if there are cracks or open sores — it may help to take a short break from feeding at the breast. During this time, you can express milk and give it to your baby using a cup or a spoon. Hand expressing is usually the gentlest method when your nipples are sensitive.

You can see in the video below how to offer milk safely from a cup.

What to do if your nipples are cracked or very sore

If you have cracks or open sores and breastfeeding is very painful, you might be thinking about using a nipple shield, giving a bottle to skip a feed, or offering a dummy to delay the next one. These feel like quick solutions — but, unfortunately, they do not fix the underlying problem.

The most effective way to improve things is to adjust your breastfeeding position and help your baby get a deep latch. Once your baby latches well, the pain usually eases within a day or two, and most sores heal within about a week.

How to care for cracked or sore nipples

There are no creams proven to make nipple sores heal faster. The best support you can give the skin is simple care:

  • Let a few drops of breast milk air-dry on the nipple after feeds
  • Wash the breast gently once a day with lukewarm water
  • Keep good hand hygiene
  • Avoid touching the nipples directly, as sores carry a small risk of infection

If you still want to use a cream, a lanolin cream is usually the best option, as long as you tolerate lanolin. Some breastfeeding parents find lanolin soothing on tender or damaged nipples.

If you have deep cracks or wounds that do not heal, contact your health visitor for advice on further treatment options.

Seek help if the pain continues

If nipple pain keeps returning or does not improve after trying the suggestions above, contact your health visitor — or your maternity ward if your baby is under one week old.
It is important to get support so breastfeeding does not remain painful.

Read more about where to get help

What is Raynaud’s syndrome, and what can I do about it?

Raynaud’s syndrome is a rare condition that can cause pain during breastfeeding. Swipe here to find out what you can do.

What is Raynaud’s syndrome, and how does it affect breastfeeding?

Some women experience severe pain, especially in the nipple, during every breastfeed. There can be several different reasons for this. In rare cases, however, it may be due to a condition called Raynaud’s syndrome.

Raynaud’s syndrome means that the small blood vessels in the nipple tighten significantly when exposed to, for example, cold or a baby sucking. In addition to severe pain, some women notice that their nipples turn white or bluish while the baby is feeding.

Some women are already familiar with Raynaud’s syndrome before they begin breastfeeding, as the same tightening of small blood vessels can also cause discomfort in the fingers and toes. Others experience it for the first time when they develop pain during breastfeeding.

What can I do myself if I have Raynaud’s syndrome?

Raynaud’s syndrome cannot be cured, but there are ways to relieve the pain. Always speak to your GP or health visitor if you are very troubled by pain during breastfeeding, or if the pain makes it difficult to continue breastfeeding.

You may also find the following helpful:

  • Make sure your baby has a good latch and is attached well at the breast during feeds. A poor latch can increase nipple pain. Ask your health visitor for support if you are unsure.
  • Keep your whole body warm, both during and between feeds. Cold can worsen pain and discomfort.
  • Limit – or avoid completely – caffeine and nicotine. Both can cause blood vessels to tighten and may make symptoms worse.

It is possible to treat Raynaud’s syndrome with medication, even while breastfeeding

There are medicines for Raynaud’s syndrome that can be taken while breastfeeding. These medicines help the blood vessels to widen, which may reduce pain and discomfort. Speak to your GP to discuss the possibility of treating Raynaud’s syndrome with medication.

What can I do about white spots and pain during breastfeeding?

A white spot on the nipple is often caused by a narrowed milk duct. Swipe to see what you can do if you have pain during breastfeeding and a white spot on your nipple.

Why do white spots develop on the nipple?

A white spot on the nipple develops because the breast tissue has become irritated. This is also known as inflammation. The irritation is typically caused by a narrowed or blocked milk duct.

White spots and blocked milk ducts can occur if:

  • You may be producing more milk than your baby is drinking from the breast.
  • Your baby does not have a good latch and has caused a small injury to the nipple.

What can I do about white spots?

White spots can be painful during breastfeeding, so it is important to address the problem.

You can start by trying the following:

  • Make sure your baby has a good latch and is positioned close to you during feeds.
  • Try breastfeeding in a laid-back position. This often puts less strain on the nipple, as your baby does not need to suck as strongly to keep the breast in their mouth.
  • If you are expressing milk with a breast pump, check whether the pump fits correctly and whether the suction may be set too high.
  • Offer the breast whenever your baby shows feeding cues.
  • If you use a nipple shield or breast pump, make sure the size fits your breast properly.
  • Be aware if you are producing more milk than your baby drinks. This can happen especially if you are both breastfeeding and expressing with a pump. Then you may produce too much milk. In that case, you may find it helpful to express slightly less.

Breastfeeding positions

What else can I try if the white spots continue to be a problem?

 The most important step is to ensure that your baby has a good latch. If the pain and white spots do not go away, you can try the suggestions below. What works for some may not work for others, so you may need to try different approaches.

Always contact your health visitor if breastfeeding is very painful or if none of the advice helps.

Additional suggestions:

  • Gentle breast movement
  • Cool compresses
  • If white spots keep returning, you may consider taking the dietary supplement lecithin as a preventive measure.
  • Your GP can prescribe a steroid cream. Apply it after each feed, and remember to wipe the breast before the next feed.

What not to do if you have a white spot on your nipple

 White spots can worsen if the skin of the nipple becomes further irritated. Therefore, avoid:

  • Pressing hard on the nipple to remove the spot
  • Piercing or picking at the white spot. In some cases, your GP or health visitor may suggest this, but always speak to them first.
  • Deep breast massage

Good to do

  • Let your baby feed as often and for as long as they wish.
  • Alternate between breastfeeding positions and ensure your baby has a good latch.
  • Try cool compresses and gentle massage.

Seek advice and support from your health visitor if the problem continues or if pain makes breastfeeding difficult.

Good to do

  • Try to find a breastfeeding position where your baby can latch deeply — this usually helps nipple pain settle
  • Use the suggestions above to ease the discomfort while you work towards a more comfortable latch
  • Seek help from your health visitor if the pain continues; if your baby is under one week old, you can also contact your maternity ward

Videos on how to prevent and relieve pain during breastfeeding

Breasts and hands of a woman hand extracting breast milk
Mor har brystspænding

Who can you contact?

If you experience challenges with breastfeeding – big or small – do not hesitate to seek professional advice. Swipe to see whom you can contact and when.

Who can you contact at the maternity ward?

You can contact the maternity-ward staff both during pregnancy and after birth.

Before birth, your midwife is the person to speak with about the early time with your baby and your thoughts about feeding – whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. If you have had previous breastfeeding problems, you can create a plan together.

Most maternity wards also offer antenatal classes, and your midwife can inform you about these.

After giving birth, you can receive help with breastfeeding from staff on the delivery or maternity ward while you are admitted.

All parents can also contact a breastfeeding hotline at their maternity ward within the first week after birth if they need help or guidance.

You can contact your municipal health-visitor service

The health-visitor service is available to all pregnant and new parents in Denmark. After birth, you will be offered free home visits with support and guidance to help you get a good start with your baby. Depending on your municipality and your stage in the process, different services and contact options may be available.

Some municipalities offer prenatal visits from a health visitor, where you can discuss breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and preparing for life as a new family. Check your municipality’s website to see whether this is available where you live.

If you have special needs, you can contact the service to ask whether prenatal visits are offered to you.

Your health visitor will contact you and offer the first home visit. You can always call your municipal health visitor service for advice or guidance.

You can contact your GP if needed

Always speak with your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and need medical treatment. In most cases, there is a medication that is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Contact the on-call doctor or call 112 in an emergency

For sudden illness or worsening symptoms that cannot wait until your GP is available, or for minor injuries, you can contact the on-call doctor – or call 1813 if you live in the Capital Region.

In emergencies, if something is life-threatening or dangerous, call 112.

Contact volunteer breastfeeding counsellors

You can also contact volunteer breastfeeding counsellors if you need advice or guidance. Denmark has two support organisations: Forældre & Fødsel and Ammenet. The volunteers are mothers who have breastfed themselves, and both organisations provide guidance based on the recommendations of the Danish Health Authority.

Get help from Forældre og Fødsel

Get help from Ammenet

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