Breastfeeding is a unique experience that fosters a strong bond between mother and the baby. While breastfeeding brings several benefits, it may also cause discomforts like sore nipples, cracked nipples, and nipple pain in about 90% of mothers, compromising optimal breastfeeding. These discomforts can be addressed by using a good nipple cream that is safe for both mother and the baby.

Symptoms and Causes

Sore nipples and nipple cracks during breastfeeding are a common concern for many mothers.

Additionally, symptoms like flaky skin around the nipples, dryness, redness at the tip, itchy, and pain also follow. Using a nipple cream can help soothe the nipple area and prevent these symptoms from worsening.

Sore & sensitive nipples are common when you start breastfeeding, especially in the first week as your baby is still learning to latch properly. In addition to this, several other factors can affect nipple comfort and wellness during breastfeeding:

Flat or inverted nipples
Wearing inappropriate bra that is tight on the nipples
Baby losing suction and slipping
Poor latching due to a tongue-tie condition
Incorrect body positioning during breastfeeding
Stopping a breastfeeding session without first breaking the suction
Baby having a fungal infection (oral thrush)

Tips to Prevent Sore Nipples During Breastfeeding

Here are some recommendations to prevent nipple-related discomforts during breastfeeding.

Use breast pads without a plastic backing, and change them after each feed.
Allow your nipples to completely dry after each feed.
Wear an airy, cotton bra to avoid friction.
Continue feeding your baby for as long as they want, as short feeds will not ease nipple pain and could affect your milk supply.
Avoid using nipple shields.
Avoid cleansing your nipples with soap.

Effective Remedies

Here are some strategies to ease the discomfort and help your nipples heal quickly and effectively.

Warm compress: Use warm, moist heat to soothe sore nipples. You may use a washcloth soaked in warm water, by squeezing out the excess water, and placing it directly over the sore area.

Breast milk: Rub a small quantity of your breast milk onto your nipple, and allow it to dry. This method is proven to soothe nipple cracks and nipple discomforts during breastfeeding.

Hydrogel pads: Use hydrogel pads, which are nipple-sized pads made of silicone material, that can create a soothing barrier for sore nipples and nipple cracks.

Nipple creams: Use soothing creams that can create a barrier for your sore nipples. Avoid nipple creams containing lanolin and artificial fragrance. Instead, prefer natural creams like AreoVeda’s Natural Nipple Butter that is carefully formulated with all natural ingredients, such as mango seed butter, shea seed butter, ghee, soybean oil, sweet almond oil, turmeric root extract, licorice root extract, and much more. These natural ingredients act together to effectively relieve itching, hydrate, and moisturise the skin, and protect your nipples from further discomfort.

Final Note

Nipple care is an essential aspect of a comfortable breastfeeding journey. While breastfeeding is highly beneficial for both mother and the baby, it can also lead to issues like soreness, cracks, and irritation. These discomforts, if unaddressed, can interfere with your breastfeeding journey. Several preventive strategies and effective remedies can offer soothing relief from this discomfort. Further, choosing a gentle, plant-based formulation like AreoVeda’s Natural Nipple Butter can help hydrate and heal the nipple skin without any risk to your baby, thereby supporting uninterrupted breastfeeding.