Doctors recommend breastfeeding for at least a year, but many women wind up with sore nipples within months.
“Breastfeeding, when it’s your first baby, can be so, so painful,” OB/GYN Dr. Lisa Masterson says.
If your nipples are red or hot, call your doctor. Nipple shields can help, but only use them after you’ve consulted a lactation specialist.
| Common Cause of Sore Nipples |
|||
| Cause | Remedies | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby improperly latches onto nipple or baby has trouble suckling properly |
In both cases, working with a lactation specialist to learn breastfeeding and positioning techniques will help alleviate the problem. |
||
| Raw, irritated skin | Lanolin cream can soothe affected areas. |
||
| Candida, or yeast infection of the nipple |
Antifungal cream prescribed by your doctor. | ||
• Learn more about breastfeeding techniques.
