Sore or cracked nipples

These are caused by poor positioning. The baby sucks on the nipple rather than taking the nipple far back into his mouth and compressing the areola to release breast milk.

Remedies:

• Ask someone to check that your baby is positioned well
• Have a look at some books from the library or from your health centre that show well-positioned babies and try to copy them
• As well as looking at the position of his mouth in relation to your breast, you could try changing the way you hold him, perhaps by feeding him lying down, or holding him under your arm
• Try latching him on again, ensuring that his mouth is wide open
• Sore or cracked nipples aren’t helped by leaving soggy breast pads against them - change pads frequently

More breastfeeding problems and remedies:

Biting baby Biting baby Blocked duct Breast refusal Engorgement Favoured breast Inverted nipples Mastitis Sleepy baby Sore or cracked nipples Thrush

Where to next?

• Return to main menu
• Breastfeeding: the early days
• Breastfeeding checklist
• Expressing and storing breast milk
• Breastfeeding and working
• Breastfeeding twins
• Nursing beyond the first year