Sore or cracked nipples

If your nipples hurt, take your baby off the breast and start again. To do this you can slide a finger gently into the corner of the baby's mouth until their tongue releases. Putting up with the pain could make things worse. If the pain continues or your nipples start to crack or bleed, ask a breastfeeding supporter to help you get your baby attached effectively. Pain is not normal, so ask for help and support. 

The following may help:

• Squeeze out a drop or 2 of your milk at the end of a feed and gently rub it into your skin. 
• Let your nipples dry before getting dressed again. 
• Change your breast pads at each feed (if possible use pads without a plastic backing). 
• Don't use soap, as it dries out your skin. 
• Wear a cotton bra so that air can circulate. 
• Treat any cracks or bleeding with a thin smear of white soft paraffin or purified lanolin.  Put the ointment on the crack (not the whole nipple) to help it heal and prevent a scab forming. 

There's no need to stop feeding. With help you should find that breastfeeding quickly becomes more comfortable again.