How to Avoid Sore Nipples While Breast Feeding

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Breastfeeding is a great way to bond with baby while ensuring he gets the best nutrition. Additionally, breastfeeding saves money on formula. With such benefits, choosing to nurse baby is a wise decision, however some women have a difficult time nursing because it can be painful. Follow some proven steps if you want to avoid sore nipples while breast-feeding.

Steps

1. Get baby to latch on correctly. You can do this by making sure that his mouth is open as wide as possible before you direct him onto your nipple. His lips should be visible, not tucked in, and he should have a latch around the nipple area. If baby does not latch on correctly because his mouth is not open wide enough, then he will grip on to just the nipple. If baby latches on incorrectly, detach baby carefully and then try it again.
2. Don't pull baby off the nipple while he is still latched on. This can cause an extremely painful nursing experience and cause damage to the nipple area. Babies usually release the breast when they are satisfied, but if you find you need to detach baby, insert your little finger into the corner of his mouth and he will let go.
3. Be wary of nipple confusion as this can cause babies to latch on incorrectly. When babies suckle on a pacifiers or drink from a bottle they use a different technique than when they breastfeed. They don't have to open their mouth as wide and their lips wrap around the nipple only. If your baby is using pacifiers and bottles in addition to nursing, make sure to open his mouth wide by pulling down his chin.
4. Make sure that you position your breast pump correctly before pumping. If placed off center to the nipple area, you can cause pain and damage to nipples. It should not hurt when pumping, and if it does even after repositioning the pump, you may have to try a different pump.
5. Avoid engorgement of the breast by pumping between feeds. Engorgement causes the nipple to become flat because the breasts are full. This can make it difficult for baby to latch on if he doesn't open his mouth wide enough.
6. Squeeze a little of your breast milk out and rub it onto your nipple after each feeding. Blow onto the area so the milk dries. This should stop your nipples from getting chapped.
7. Invest in some lanolin lotion if breastfeeding starts hurting. You can rub a little bit of the lotion onto your nipples to sooth them in between feeds.
8. Wear soft breast pads to avoid your nipples from rubbing against your nursing bra and becoming irritated. You should be wearing nursing pads anyway when breastfeeding to soak leaking milk.

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