What can you do with sore breasts whilst breast feeding?

Question

Ouch!

Answer 1

i've breastfed three children. breastfeeding always hurts in the beginning, at least for me.. use Lansinoh or any lanolin cream, helps a lot and yes, its ok for baby to ingest.

Answer 2

My breasts were sore when they were full of milk, so feeding the baby always helped. But your problem may be something different.


http://www.besttreatments.co.uk says:

It is normal for your breasts to feel tender at certain times, such as just before your period, in early pregnancy and when you are breastfeeding. This tenderness is caused by normal changes in your hormones. You probably won't worry about these normal changes.

Then it goes on to say:

Breast pain that's not linked to periods (non-cyclical breast pain) can be caused by:

* Pregnancy
* A breast infection that affects breastfeeding mothers (mastitis)
* A knock or blow to the breast
* A cyst
* A tumour
* Inflammation of a vein in the breast (thrombophlebitis)
* A problem in the muscles, bones or joints in your chest, such as arthritis.

But usually there's no sign that anything's wrong and the cause remains a mystery.

In the treatments section it mentions Evening Primrose Oil, vitamin E and a low fat high carb diet, plus loads of ferocious sounding medicines which you wouldn't want to take if you were breastfeeding!

You ought to check out the information about mastitis on http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/mastitis1.shtml I have had a quick read and it sounds quite nasty. This is the advice they give for treatment of mastitis:

The most important part of treatment is emptying the breast of milk, which means frequent effective breastfeeding.

But you can try to relieve the symptoms with cooling treatments:, such as cabbage leaves, or if you prefer, gel-filled cool packs, cold flannels or sponging; gentle breast massage; regular analgesics: although medicines are best avoided and often not very effective in mastitis, paracetamol or ibuprofen may be worth trying.


If your problem is cracked nipples there's a cream with calendula in it which is produced especially for breastfeeding women, but you probably already know that.

Answer 3

I was VERY sore for the first few days with both children but it went completely.

Cabbage leaves dry up the milk, so the theory goes (scientific?)

Make sure you catch mastitis early if it appears - if you feel an area like a bruise on one side of one breast, knead it with your fingers (I know you don't want to) but it does drain the milk duct and stop the need for antibiotics. I had mastitis a couple of times (very nasty) but in the end managed to prevent 20 or so attacks by early prevention with kneading. Don't know why I seemed so vulnerable to it.

Good luck - feeding your own baby is the very best thing you could be doing in this world.

Answer 4

put pads inside your bra between feeds to stop milk seeping out and chaffing the nipple. after every feed (and inbetween if you need) apply Camilosan, available at the chemist. It is a harmless Chamomile cream which gives amazing relief and wont be a prob for your baby either. Ice packs made specifically for your breasts can relieve pain too. Make sure you alternate breasts when feeding. It gets better eventually!

Answer 5

Try (brand name) Lanolin, you don't need to wipe it off when baby feeds/can use it before and/or afterwards. Also, your letdown could be slow. Try to nurse in a quiet area with little distractions - no tv/music. Just focus on your baby, the milk always came down faster for me and I was less sore. Don't give up!

Answer 6

How old is your baby?
What kind of soreness are you experiencing? Breasts or nipples?
Are you engorged?
More details about what you are experiencing would help to provide a better answer.
The link below may be helpful in the meantime.

Answer 7

do you mean tender swollen, or sore nipples.
sore nipples are best if shielded with a nipple shield. they really do work. when i breastfed my two my nipples were so sore and cracked that it hurt like mad when they latched on each feed.
if they are swollen, just express some of the milk if baby not ready to feed, just to take some of the pressure off

Answer 8

massage them very gently.use a warm cloth to put over them.if u dont have much time breast feeding its normal to feel that way and nothing might work until a month later or even later than that

Answer 9

Reposition baby. You should be able to get help from a breastfeeding advisor, contact your local Sure Start group, and/or hospital. Even your health visitor should give you tips. Also, if your baby is still young enough to warrant home visits, ask her for help too.

Answer 10

Do you have access to a certified lactation consultant? If it's nipple pain it could be a bad latch, but if it's more internal it could be mastitis or a plugged duct. Call the LC and get their opinion, if it's a latch they can help fix that but if it's mastitis or a plugged duct they can refer you for medical help.

Answer 11

I was told to let out some milk and rub it into the nipple by my midwife, but I also used cabbage leaves as suggested by a friend.