Sore or cracked nipples when breastfeeding

It's important not to stop breastfeeding. With help, feeding should quickly become more comfortable again.

Get help early for sore nipples

Nipple pain is common in the first few days of feeding your baby. But if you find 1 or both nipples hurt at every feed, or your nipples start to crack or bleed, it's important to get help from your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter as soon as you can.

They can watch as you feed your baby and help you get them correctly positioned and attached to the breast.

When your baby is effectively attached, your nipple rests comfortably against the soft palate at the back of their mouth.

If your baby is poorly attached to the breast, the nipple is nearer the front of their mouth and can be pinched against the hard palate, causing pain.

Flattened, wedged or white nipples at the end of a feed are a sign your baby may not be properly attached. Your baby may also seem unsettled after feeds.

Having sore nipples when you're trying to breastfeed a new baby can be stressful and upsetting.

Try to carry on breastfeeding or express milk by hand if you can, and ask for help early.

Learn more about expressing and storing breast milk

Self-help tips for sore nipples

Bear in mind that self-help tips will not be effective if your baby is poorly attached during breastfeeds.

But you may find it helps to:

• change breast pads at each feed (if you're using them) – if possible, use pads without a plastic backing
• wear a well-fitting bra without any underwire to avoid restricting your breasts
• keep breastfeeding your baby for as long as they want at each feed – you could try pumping if you need a break
• if you can, avoid using nipple shields (a thin, protective cover worn over your nipple as you breastfeed) or breast shells (a hard, protective cover worn inside your bra) – these can affect how your baby attaches to the breast

If your nipples start to crack, try dabbing a little expressed breast milk onto them after feeds or use silver nipple cups between feeds.

If nipple pain does not improve

If your baby is properly positioned and attached at the breast during feeds and your nipples are still sore, ask your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter for help.

There may also be an underlying problem, such as an infection.