Breastfeeding Mums: How To Prevent Sore Nipples (Part Two)
Continued from Part one
Nipple tenderness is normal when your baby first arrives and begins to breastfeed, as the weeks roll by however, breastfeeding should become more comfortable. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Apart from feeling some slight discomfort when your milk starts to let down or when your baby latches on to your nipple area, the tenderness of the breasts gets worse, and nipples can become painfully sore with  some mums.
5. Breastfeed Your Baby At Least Every 2-3 Hours
Newborns digest breast milk quickly and quite easily, not to mention, they have tiny stomachs. This means you should feed your baby quite often, at least every 2-3 hours.
Delaying to feed your baby, until he is very hungry would cause him to suck more aggressively, and likely to cause your breasts to have been engorged, both scenarios will likely cause you to suffer sore nipples, since the ease of feeding is tampered with.
6. Be Hygienic
The Montgomery glands that look like bumps on the areola keep the entire breasts and nipples moisturised and protected. But, you can help to keep your skin healthy and prevent sore nipples by doing a few things.
- Use mild/gentle soaps that will not dry out, crack or irritate your nipples and breasts when you wash.
- Rinse your breasts and nipples with warm water.
- There’s no need to apply any creams on the breast, but if your nipples are sore already, you may apply ointment like shea butter.
- try to keep your breast pads clean and dry even if you are one of many women who experience a lot of leaking. The drier your breast pads, the less likely it is that your nipples will become irritated or sore from them.
READ ALSO: Your Baby’s Poo: What’s OK And What Is Not With Photos
7. Remove Your Baby’s Mouth From Your Breast Gently
Even when your baby is properly latched and you have a good breastfeeding position, not knowing how to remove your breast can cause pain to your breasts and nipples.
Especially if you repeatedly make the error, if your baby does not let go of you on her own at the end of the feeding, don’t pull him off of your breast.
8. Easy With The Breast Pump
Whether you’re exclusively pumping, or just pumping occasionally to relieve breast engorgement or boost your supply of breast milk, it’s important to use your breast pump correctly.
Avoid setting the pump suction too high. Many women believe that pumping at a faster speed and higher suction level will lead to more breast milk more quickly. But, it’s more likely to lead to more pain and possibly less breast milk.
READ ALSO:Â Why Your Baby Bites During Breastfeeding And How To Avoid It
Use pump flanges that fit correctly and start out with a lower, slower level of suction to prevent nipple pain and breast damage from your breast pump.