Painful area in the breast

If part of your breast feels sore and tense, it is usually because a milk duct has become narrowed or blocked, causing milk to build up. The aim is to get the milk flowing freely again.

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What can we do if parts of the breast hurt?

Swipe to see suggestions for easing pain caused by narrowed milk ducts.
If the pain does not improve within 12–24 hours, contact your health visitor.
If your baby is under one week old, you can also contact your maternity ward.

Why do narrow or blocked milk ducts occur?

Narrow or blocked milk ducts happen when fluid builds up in the tissue around the ducts. We do not know exactly why this happens.
If you have a narrowed or blocked duct, you may notice:

  • A tender, swollen, and sometimes warm area in the breast
  • Several small lumps in the breast
  • A mild fever up to 38.5°C, but otherwise feeling well

To ease the tension and pain, the goal is to help the milk flow freely again. There are several ways to support this.

Offer the breast as often and for as long as your baby wants

Frequent breastfeeding removes milk from the breast regularly, which usually helps the blocked area settle. If feeds are spaced too far apart, the problem may get worse.
Also check that your baby has a good latch so that feeding is effective.

Help your baby get a good latch on the breast

If your baby is not latched on well, milk can build up more easily. If needed, gently break the latch by placing a finger in the corner of your baby’s mouth, then try again — perhaps in a different breastfeeding position.

Positions vary from baby to baby, but the key points are:

  • Your baby should face you directly, tummy-to-tummy, without turning their head. If your baby turns their head away from the nipple, you can encourage your baby to turn back by expressing a few drops of milk onto the nipple with your hand.
  • Your baby’s nose should be level with the nipple, so they tilt their head slightly back to latch
  • Your baby should open their mouth wide before you bring them in close to latch

How to tell if your baby is latched on well

A good latch usually looks like this:

  • Your baby’s chin touches your breast and the nose is free
  • The mouth is wide open and the lips — especially the lower lip — are turned outward
  • The lower lip covers more of the dark area around the nipple than the upper lip
  • Your baby shows rhythmic sucking and swallowing

A video below shows what a good latch looks like.

Try a different breastfeeding position

The part of the breast that sits under your baby’s chin empties most effectively.
Try feeding in a position where your baby’s chin points toward the sore area.

Using different positions helps empty more parts of the breast and may prevent milk from building up again. You can see examples in the videos below.

If tender areas remain

If you still have sore, tense areas after frequent feeding and improving latch and positioning, you can also try the following:


Place a cool compress on the breast for 10–20 minutes between feeds. This may reduce swelling and ease pain, helping milk flow more freely. A damp cloth in a plastic bag kept in the fridge works well.


Some parents find that warming the breast just before feeding helps the milk flow. Try a warm compress or run warm water over the breast in the shower. Experiment and see what feels best.


Move the breast gently in circular motions — first one way, then the other, and then up and down. Continue for around 5 minutes and repeat if helpful. Because the area is tender, this may feel uncomfortable at first, but most people find the discomfort lessens after a short time.


Paracetamol (Pamol, Panodil, Pinex) or ibuprofen can help ease pain and reduce swelling. Do not take pain relief for more than 7 days without medical advice.


Without a pacifier, your baby may breastfeed more often, helping milk flow well. Feeding without a nipple shield also allows the breast to empty more effectively.


Choose a supportive nursing bra that is not too tight. A tight bra can restrict milk flow and worsen the problem.

Seek help if the problem continues

If the pain does not improve within 12–24 hours, contact your health visitor or the maternity ward if your baby is under one week old.

Read more about where you can get help.

Good to do

  • Breastfeed frequently and make sure your baby has a good latch — this helps milk flow and reduces discomfort
  • Use the tips above to ease swelling and pain
  • Seek help from your health visitor if the problem does not improve within 12–24 hours (or your maternity ward if your baby is under one week old)

Watch videos on how to relieve breast pain and get the milk to flow

Mor har brystspænding
engorged breast

Find related content about pain

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 support.There are two organisations in Denmark that offer this help: Forældre & Fødsel and Ammenet.The volunteers are mothers with breastfeeding experience, and both organisations follow the recommendations of the Danish Health Authority.

Get help from Forældre og Fødsel

Get help from Ammenet