Nipple Pain and Trauma - oh what to do!

In the early weeks of breastfeeding you may experience sore or tender nipples. Tender nipples at the start of a breastfeeding are normal during the first week or two. But pain, cracks, blisters, and bleeding are not. Your comfort depends on where your nipple lands in baby’s mouth. And this depends on how your baby takes the breast, or latches on. Learning the correct latch takes practice, and the help of a Lactation consultant is often needed.

To understand this better use your tongue to feel the roof of your mouth. Behind your teeth are ridges. Behind the ridges the roof feels hard. When your nipple is pressed against this hard area in your baby’s mouth, it can hurt.

But farther back in your mouth the roof turns from hard to soft. Near this is the area some call "the comfort zone." Once your nipple reaches your baby’s comfort zone, breastfeeding feels good. There is no undue friction or pressure on your nipple.

To make this happen, let gravity help. Lean back with good neck, shoulder, and back support and your hips forward. Lay your baby tummy down between your exposed breasts. When your calm, hungry baby feels your body against her chin, torso, legs, and feet, this triggers her inborn feeding reflexes. When her chin touches your body, her mouth opens and she begins to search for the breast. In these "laid-back positions," gravity helps the nipple reach the comfort zone.

Image of proper latch. The nipple should be deep and past the hard palate.

In other positions, you need to work harder to help your baby take the breast deeply.

• With your baby’s body pressed firmly against you and her nose in line with your nipple, let her head tilt back a bit (avoid pushing on the back of her head)
• Allow her chin to touch the breast then move away.
• Repeat until her mouth opens really wide, like a yawn.
• As she moves onto the breast chin first, gently press your baby’s shoulders from behind for a deeper latch.

That last gentle shove helps the nipple reach the comfort zone. Breastfeeding tends to feel better when your baby latches on off-center, so her lower jaw lands far from the nipple.

In the process of mastering the latch, you may experience pain, and sore cracked nipples. If you feel nipple tendeness or discomfort,  Ameda ComfortGel pads can prevent clothing friction and sootheand help heal your nipples.  Ameda ComfortGel pads are comfortable to apply and easyto use. Just wear in your bra like a nursing pad. Plus, they do not stain clothing. Each water-based ComfortGel pad may last up to six days, making it an economical and convenient choice. Also, because Ameda ComfortGel hydrogel pads will not absorb any milk you can use them with Ameda No Show premium breast pads against your bra. This is the best moist would healing treatment available today. Ask for them at your pharmacy counter.