Bloody nipples breastfeeding
Secret to Relieving Cracked Nipples From Breastfeeding
Experiencing cracked nipples due to breastfeeding is a common - and oftentimes painful - challenge that many new moms encounter. Discover how an all-natural lanolin cream may help provide some much-deserved relief.
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The joy you feel bonding with your little one while breastfeeding can be significantly diminished if your nipples become sore or cracked—and, unfortunately, sore nipples are a very common breastfeeding occurrence! We know this condition can be disheartening and make it harder to motivate yourself to continue breastfeeding your little one. Before you consider weaning your little one before you’ve met your breastfeeding goals—and we know you don’t want to do that just because of sore or cracked nipples—consider these tips on treating your sore or cracked nipples and even preventing this oftentimes painful condition from happening again.
Cracked Nipples
Although it’s not uncommon to experience soreness or tenderness in the first week or two of breastfeeding, cracking or bleeding should be addressed as soon as possible. If you notice a bloody discharge from your nipples or experience pain while breastfeeding, it’s important to talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant immediately.
Causes
Several conditions can lead to sore nipples that crack or bleed. It’s even possible to experience more than one at the same time. Some causes of cracked or bleeding nipples include:
- Baby isn’t latching properly. If your baby does not have your entire nipple and part of your breast in their mouth, they are not latching properly. Changing his or her position while nursing can help improve latching, which will allow your nipples to heal.
- Incorrectly using your breast pump. If you’ve set the suction too high on your breast pump or are using breast shields that are not the correct size, it can lead to nipple irritation.
- Breast or nipple problems. Breast or nipple swelling from IV fluids administered during childbirth, engorged breasts, and flat or inverted nipples can result in more difficult and/or improper latching, which can then lead to skin cracking and bleeding.
- Skin issues. Conditions such as thrush or eczema can also result in nipple cracking. Be sure to speak to your doctor right away if you also experience shooting pains in your breasts while feeding, as this is another common symptom of a thrush infection.
What They Look Like
Cracked nipples are typically red and appear chafed. You may notice that your skin around your nipples is scabby or crusty. Open cracks or sores may ooze or even bleed. It can be a painful and even frustrating experience at a time when you’re adjusting to life with your new little one and learning how to feed together. Take heart, mama! There are some simple ways that you may be able to relieve your pain.
Relieving Cracked Nipples
Here are some things to consider that may be causing nipple soreness while breastfeeding and what you can do instead, so you can quickly return to enjoying the closeness of breastfeeding your child - instead of wincing at soreness and discomfort! It’s important to discuss the steps you plan to take with your physician or a lactation consultant to ensure they’re the right ones for you and your unique situation.
Some things that can help include:
- Checking to make sure your baby is latching correctly.
- Nursing or pumping every two to three hours to avoid engorgement.
- Applying some of your expressed milk to your nipples. Be sure to avoid this, though, if you have thrush, as breast milk can actually stimulate yeast growth.
- Wearing a quality nursing bra that fits properly and is not too tight.
- Avoiding scented soaps, creams, or powders that could dry out your skin.
- Applying a lanolin-based cream to the nipples after breastfeeding.
- Using nipple shields while breastfeeding.
100% Natural Lanolin Cream For You
Lanolin is a naturally occurring substance found in sheep’s fleece. A lanolin-based cream applied after breastfeeding can be deeply hydrating while helping restore moisture to the affected area. Our Purelan lanolin cream offers fast and effective relief with a single ingredient—and no additives, preservatives, or fragrance added.
In fact, Purelan is an ultra-pure, medical-grade lanolin that has been tested to the highest safety standards and is ethically sourced from mulesing-free farms for a dermatologically-tested, hypoallergenic cream that is safe for sensitive skin and doesn't need to be removed before breastfeeding.
Nipple Shields
Nipple shields can offer relief for cracked nipples without interrupting breastfeeding. They’re also especially helpful if your baby is having trouble latching or if you have flat or inverted nipples. Ask your lactation consultant for guidance on how to properly place a nipple shield and use it correctly.
Breastfeeding and Pumping With Cracked Nipples
As you embark on your breastfeeding journey, it can feel frustrating to experience the pain that comes with cracked nipples, but try not to let it discourage you. By working with your doctor or a lactation specialist, you can find relief and move past this minor bump in your breastfeeding journey so you can once again enjoy this close, special time with your sweet little one.
Sore, cracked or bleeding nipples
Sore, cracked or bleeding nipples | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content4-minute read
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Sore, cracked or bleeding nipples are common. Some mothers have such trouble with them that they stop breastfeeding early.
As a new mother, you may find it could take a few days or weeks to adapt to the strong suck of a healthy baby on your breasts.
It is normal for your breasts to become more sensitive in the first weeks after you have given birth. They may sting, burn, ache or feel tender. Over time, the discomfort and sensitivity should resolve.
If you have sore nipples, it may be that your baby isn’t attaching properly to your breast. This pain usually lasts about half a minute while baby first draws your nipple into their mouth.
Try to make sure your baby’s mouth is attached correctly for suckling from the very first breastfeed.
If you do not correct your baby’s latch, your nipples could be damaged, which causes problems like mastitis (infections).
How to get baby to attach to your breast correctly
- Make sure you are sitting or lying comfortably. Position your baby’s chest against your chest, with their mouth and nose facing your nipple.
- If you are lying down, let your baby’s cheek rest against your breast. If you are sitting up, lift your breast slightly so it does not press on your baby’s chin.
- Position your baby so the first contact point is their chin on your areola — the coloured area around your nipple.
- Bring your baby’s head to your breast, not the breast to baby’s head. Support your baby to move to where they are trying to go — towards your nipple.
- Ensure the nipple and much (or all) of the areola and some surrounding breast are in your baby’s mouth.
After a few rapid gulps, your baby should start to suck and swallow in a regular rhythm. Once you have got the hang of it, breastfeeding can be enjoyable and should not be painful.
How to manage sore nipples
Before putting baby to the breast
Wash your hands and sit in a comfortable position and try to relax. Apply a warm washer to the breast and gently massage or express to help milk flow. Express some milk to soften the areola to lubricate the nipple.
At the breast
Poor attachment is a key cause of sore nipples. Make sure the way your baby latches to your breast is correct. If you are not sure, ask for help from a health professional.
If the attachment feels uncomfortable after 30 seconds, break your baby’s suction by putting your finger in the corner of their mouth. Take your baby off and let them re-latch to your breast. Try different feeding positions. If your nipples are tender, limit your baby’s comfort sucking.
After the breastfeed
Check your nipples for redness and misshapen appearance.
Wipe your breasts with clean water and let them dry. It can help to leave your bra off for a while and allow your nipples to air. Make sure your bra fits.
When expressing milk, make sure that the suction on your breast pump is not too strong. If the pain in your nipples increases after the first week, talk to a health professional.
Finding the cause of cracked or bleeding nipples
You will need to work out the source of your nipple problems. The first thing to do is to check if your baby is latching on correctly. You may need to ask a health professional for assistance. They can also check your baby for problems with their lips and tongue and whether you have medical problems like dermatitis or nipple infection. If you use a nipple shield, make sure it is the correct size and if you’re using a breast pump, make sure you’re doing it properly.
How to treat cracked or bleeding nipples
There are a number of things you can do to treat cracked or bleeding nipples.
- Look after your nipples: wash your nipples with water after every feed and clean and sterilise your nipple shield after each feed.
- If you can, continue breastfeeding (it is quite safe for baby to feed on a bleeding nipple). But if it’s too painful, you may need to take your baby off the breast for 24 to 48 hours, rest the nipple and feed your baby expressed breast milk. Gradually reintroduce the breast after resting for a short time and take special care with positioning and attachment.
- If you’re going to take pain-relieving medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Many household remedies are ineffective or harmful.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association has more tips on treating sore or cracked nipples.
If you need further help or are experiencing prolonged abnormal breast pain, contact your doctor, lactation consultant, breast feeding counsellor, child health nurse or Pregnancy Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436.
Sources:
Australian Breastfeeding Association (Sore/cracked nipples), Australian Breastfeeding Association (Mastitis), Australian Breastfeeding Association (Attachment to the breast), Raising Children Network (Breastfeeding attachment techniques), Tresillian (Breastfeeding 0-3 months)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: December 2020
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Cracked nipples | Medela
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et al. S3-Guidelines for the Treatment of Inflammatory Breast Disease during the Lactation Period: AWMF Guidelines, Registry No. 015/071 (short version) AWMF Leitlinien-Register Nr. 015/071 (Kurzfassung). Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd . 73, 1202–1208 (2013). - Jacobs A. et al., "Recommendations S -3 for the management of inflammatory breast disease during breastfeeding: guidelines AWMF , registration number 015/071 (abbreviated version)" Leitlinjen- Registration number 015/071 (Kurzfassung). Geburtschilde Frauenheilkd. 73, 1202–1208 (2013).
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Nursing nipple care | Breast Care
Breastfeeding is good for you and your baby, but it can be a real challenge for the nipples. Check out our tips and tricks to help reduce the pain.
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Sioned Hilton, health visitor, neonatal nurse and lactation consultant:
A mother of three, Sioned Hilton has been supporting families with newborns and young children for over 30 years. She provides advice on breastfeeding and pumping, both in clinics and at home. In addition, Schoned writes articles for parenting magazines, attends conferences, and conducts seminars for attending physicians. nine0011
New mothers often hear: "Breastfeeding doesn't have to be painful." However, in the early days, many are faced with the opposite.
During pregnancy, most women's nipples enlarge and become more sensitive. When a newborn baby begins to suckle, it creates a certain pressure, and this is a completely new and unfamiliar sensation for a woman (at least for a first-time mother).
Feedings can be prolonged for a long time, sometimes up to an hour, and the child may ask to be breastfed up to 13 times a day. nine0248 1 This sucking, pressure and saliva of the baby can cause sore nipples.
Remember how your lips crack in the wind and sun. The more often you lick them, the more they will dry and become inflamed. Therefore, lips require good hydration to soften, protect and speed up the healing of cracks. The same thing happens with nipples.
However, sore nipples usually don't last more than a couple of weeks and go away as your baby and your breasts get used to breastfeeding. It is important to start nipple care as early as possible to prevent the situation from worsening. Therefore, if your nipples become very inflamed, crack or bleed, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
nine0248 2
Prevention is better than cure, so check out our tips.
Check your baby's latch on
Correct latch is the key to pain-free breastfeeding. When putting the baby to the breast, point the nipple towards his palate. This will allow him to grab the nipple and the part of the areola (the darker skin around the nipple) underneath. When the nipple and part of the breast is in the baby's mouth, feeding is taking place correctly. 3
For the first few days, see a lactation consultant or specialist to check for proper latch. He will be able to give you advice on how to solve problems and recommend other feeding positions that will make it less painful for you to feed your baby. nine0011
Check tongue frenulum
Tongue frenulum (ankyloglossia) occurs in 4-11% of
newborns. 4 At the same time, the strip of skin with which the tongue is attached at the bottom of the mouth - the so-called frenulum - is too short.
A child with a shortened frenulum will not be able to open his mouth wide enough to latch onto the breast well, and his tongue will not cover the lower gum when sucking. As a result, the baby will be nervous, and your nipples may become inflamed.
The doctor or lactation consultant must examine the baby to make this diagnosis. The problem of a shortened bridle is solved by a simple undercutting procedure. It is performed by a doctor, and is usually done without blood and does not require anesthesia. Cutting the bridle allows you to restore the normal feeding mechanism almost instantly. nine0248 5
Less common in children is a short frenulum of the upper lip. In this case, it is necessary to dissect the skin that connects the upper lip to the gum. A shortened frenum of the tongue or upper lip in a newborn is not always detected during the examination conducted immediately after birth, so if you think that this is what is causing your nipples pain, seek medical advice as soon as possible.
4
Breastfeeding Nipple Tips
- Wash your breasts with water only when you shower or bathe. Small bumps on the areola (Montgomery's glands) secrete oil that moisturizes and protects your nipples. Soaps and shower gels can strip away this natural defense, causing dryness and irritation. 6
- Pat the nipples gently with a soft towel or let them air dry. In the past, women were often advised to rub their nipples to make them stiffer, but thankfully, such advice is a thing of the past! nine0288
- Do not wash breasts or nipples before feeding. The bacteria found on the surface of the breast actually help the baby's intestinal microflora to develop. 7
- Fresh breast milk helps to heal cracked nipples, 8 so rub a few drops of milk into them before and after feeding.
- Change your bra pads often if they get wet. This will reduce the risk of bacterial and fungal infections, including thrush. nine0248 6
- It is not necessary to increase the intervals between feedings to give the nipples a "rest".
For a baby to be healthy and grow well, it needs to be fed on demand. Remember, frequent feeding stimulates and maintains milk production, so keep feeding despite the pain. 9
Healthy teat care products
- Pure lanolin teat cleaner, a natural product derived from sheep's wool. It moisturizes and promotes healing of the nipples. This cream is safe for the baby, so it does not need to be washed off before feeding. nine0288
- Hydrogel Pads* can be applied to sore nipples to relieve pain while feeding and help promote healing. They can even be stored in the refrigerator to enhance the soothing cooling effect.
- Breast pads* fit inside a bra. They help prevent nipple irritation from clothing and have air holes to help nipples heal.
- Nursing Bras** are made from breathable material such as cotton or a special fabric that dries quickly and wicks moisture away from sore nipples. nine0288
- Nursing pads* are special silicone pads that fit over the nipples.
They have small holes through which milk flows when you are breastfeeding. The pads help to protect the skin underneath and help the baby to better latch on to the nipple by making the nipple stiffer. Do not use nursing pads for a long time. If you have problems or pain, contact your healthcare professional or lactation consultant. nine0288
When to Seek Medical Care
The soreness should go away as your nipples and baby get used to breastfeeding. It is worth repeating that the main cause of sore nipples is improper grip. If your lactation consultant has not been able to resolve your pain while feeding, see another specialist and a third if necessary.
If nipple pain persists or if you notice unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor. The appearance of white spots or flakes on the nipples may be a sign of thrush, whitish or bluish nipples may indicate a circulation disorder such as Raynaud's disease (vasospasm), and pus and redness indicate an infection. nine0248 2
Literature
1 Kent JC et al.
Volume and frequency of breastfeedings and fat content of breast milk throughout the day. Pediatrics. 2006;117(3): e 387-395. - Kent J.S. et al., "Amount and frequency of breastfeeding and fat content of breast milk during the day." Pediatrix (Pediatrics). 2006;117(3):e387-95.
2 Berens P et al. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. ABM Clinical Protocol#26: Persistent pain with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2016;11(2):46-53. - Behrens, P. et al., Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, AVM Clinical Protocol #26: Persistence of Breastfeeding Pain. Brestfeed Med (Breastfeeding Medicine). 2016;11(2):46-53.
3 Cadwell K. Latching - On and Suckling of the Healthy Term Neonate: Breastfeeding Assessment. J Midwifery & Women's Health. nine0004 2007;52(6):638-42. — Cadwell, K., "Latching and sucking in healthy newborns: evaluation of breastfeeding.
" F Midwifery Women Health. 2007;52(6):638-642.
4 Segal LM et al. Prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of ankyloglossia: methodological review. Canadian Family Physician. 2007;53(6):1027-1033. - Segal L.M. et al., Incidence, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Ankyloglossia: A Methodological Review. Canadian Family Physic. 2007;53(6):1027-1033. nine0004
5 O'Shea JE et al. Frenotomy for tongue - tie in newborn infants. The Cochrane Library. 2017. - O'Shea J.I. et al., "Dissection of the frenulum in the newborn", The Cochrane Labrery (Cochrane Library), 2017.
6 Jacobs A et al. S3-guidelines for the treatment of inflammatory breast disease during the lactation period. Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde. 2013;73(12):1202-1208. - Jacobs A. et al., "Recommendations S -3 for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the breast during breastfeeding.
Geburtskhilfe und Frauenheilkünde. milk bacterial communities and establishment and development of the infant gut microbiome JAMA pediatrics 2017;171(7):647-654 - P. S. Pannaraj et al., "Bacterial communities in breast milk and their association with the occurrence and development of the neonatal gut microbiome." JAMA pediatric. 2017;171(7):647-654.
8 Mohammadzadeh A et al. The effect of breast milk and lanolin on sore nipples. Saudi medical journal. 2005;26(8):1231-1234. — Mohammedzade A. et al., "Effects of breast milk and lanolin on sore nipples." Saudi Medical Journal. 2005;26(8):1231-1234.
9 Kent JC et al. Principles for maintaining or increasing breast milk production. J Obstet , Gynecol , & Neonatal Nurs . 2012;41(1):114-121. - Kent J.S. et al., "Principles for Maintaining and Increasing Milk Production".
