Information for breastfeeding families
Painful Nipples
Tender and sensitive nipples are normal as you begin breastfeeding your new baby. However,
very painful, cracked, or bleeding nipples are not. Usually this problem is related to the way
your baby latches to the breast. It is important that your baby gets a big "mouthful" of the
nipple and areola.
Positioning
Football Hold Cross-Cradle Hold
1. Hold your baby’s head behind the ears
2. Align your baby “nose to nipple”
Laid Back Breastfeeding
Recline with your baby “on top”. Use pillows
to support you and your baby as needed.
3. Roll baby “belly to belly”
This is an excellent
position for feeding and
may just be the trick to
remedy sore nipples.
Football hold
Latch
Treatment
• Correct position and latch-on
• Check wide open 140o wide mouth
• Apply your expressed breastmilk or
purified lanolin to nipples after feeds
• Use breast shells to protect the nipple
Use a “sandwich hold” to achieve a better latch-
on. Gently squeeze the breast to shape it like an
oval that fits deeply in your baby’s mouth.
• Look for a wide mouth on the breast
• Use hydrogel dressings to speed healing
Look for a wide
mouth on the breast.
• Feed for short, frequent feedings
• Start on the less painful side
• Rotate the position of your baby at
If breastfeeding hurts, break the each feeding
suction and try the latch again. Do • If your breasts are very full, hand
not continue with a feeding if you express some milk, use reverse
experience pain. pressure softening (see handout on
engorgement) or use a breast pump
These measures may help you resolve uncomplicated problems with nipple pain.
There are circumstances where nipple pain indicates a more severe problem.
Please seek help if your problem does not resolve quickly.
The information provided is intended solely for general educational and
informational purposes only. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute
for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider
for any questions you may have regarding your or your infant’s medical condition.
Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of
something you have received in this information. Feel free to duplicate per creative
commons license CC BY-ND. Lactation Education Resources 2021.
