If breastfeeding hurts

Many parents experience pain when breastfeeding, especially in the early days. It is important to work out what is causing the pain and to get support so feeding becomes comfortable again.

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Do you already know what is causing your pain?

If you do, you can find suggestions here for what to do in your specific situation.
If not, scroll down for help identifying what might be causing the pain.

Find out what is behind the pain, and what you can do

Swipe to see possible reasons for breastfeeding pain and what may help.
If you do not find a solution, contact your health visitor.
If your baby is under one week old, you can also contact your maternity ward.

Where exactly does it hurt?

Breastfeeding pain can come from different places and for different reasons. And the solution depends on the type of pain.

For example:

  • Does the nipple hurt because your baby is not latching well?
  • Or does the whole breast feel hard and painful because it is full and tense?

Below, you can find guidance for the most common types of breastfeeding pain.

My nipple is painful and possibly cracked or sore

It is normal to have tender nipples just after birth. But if you have ongoing nipple pain, it is often a sign that the breastfeeding position is not working well and that your baby does not have a deep latch. The pain may be worse if there are cracks or sores. The most helpful thing you can do is to find a comfortable position where your baby can latch deeply. See the link below for guidance on nipple pain.

  • If it is pain, the discomfort usually stays the same throughout the entire feed.
  • If it is tenderness, the discomfort is strongest at the start of a feed and eases as the feed continues.

Tender nipples are very common in the first week after birth. This is partly due to hormone levels and partly because the nipple is being stretched as your baby feeds — it becomes more elastic over time, which is why tenderness often settles after the first week.


Read more about pain, sores and cracks on the nipples

I have pain in specific areas of the breast

Local, sharp or tender areas are often caused by narrowed or blocked milk ducts. This happens when fluid builds up around the milk ducts and compresses them so the milk cannot flow freely.
You may notice:

  • A warm, tight or swollen area
  • A small lump or redness
  • Small clumps in the milk (which are harmless)
  • A slight fever up to 38.5°C, though many feel otherwise well

The most important thing is to help the milk flow again so the pressure is relieved.

If the pain does not improve within 12–24 hours, contact your health visitor or the hotline at your maternity ward.

Read more about narrow or blocked milk ducts

My whole breast is painful

Pain in the whole breast is usually due to breast engorgement or mastitis. These are different conditions and require different approaches:

  • Physiological engorgement: Very common in the first days after birth when milk production increases (around day 2–4).
  • Milk engorgement: Usually happens later when the breast becomes very full.
  • Mastitis: Can occur anytime during breastfeeding and often appears suddenly. Symptoms include fever over 38.5°C and flu-like aches.

See the links below for symptoms and what you can do if you suspect engorgement or mastitis.

Read more about breast engorgement

Read more about mastitis

I have a burning or stinging pain that spreads from the nipple into the breast

This kind of pain may be a sign of a yeast infection (thrush). Other signs include:

  • Burning or stinging pain
  • Pain during feeds and between feeds
  • Your baby may also show signs of thrush — for example, white patches on the tongue or inside the lips and cheeks

See the link below for what to do if you suspect a yeast infection.

Read more about thrush on the nipple

Good to do

  • Notice whether the discomfort feels like tenderness or true pain — tenderness is normal in the first week, but pain needs attention
  • Take nipple pain seriously; breastfeeding should not remain painful
  • Try to identify what is causing the pain so you can find the right solution
  • Seek help from your health visitor if you cannot resolve the problem. If your baby is under one week old, you can also contact your maternity ward

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

Watch videos related to pain during breastfeeding

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