Fear of Pain

One of the first things a woman might say when asked what she has heard about breastfeeding is, “I’m afraid it’s going to hurt!” Women have heard stories from their friends about how painful it is to nurse a baby, how the nipples get sore and bleed and how their breasts swelled up and got painfully hard. Some women have had personal experiences with pain when she attempted to nurse a baby in the past.

Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt. But, breastfeeding has hurt some women. Luckily, we know a lot more now than we used to about how to prevent nipple pain and prevent engorgement.

Position the Baby at the Breast
How to Help the Baby Latch On
How to Prevent and Treat Nipple Pain
How to Prevent and Treat Engorgement
Ask for Help

Position the Baby at the Breast
Be sure that the baby is turned toward the mother’s body and that baby’s nose, cheeks and chin touch the breast. To see how important it is to have the baby’s face and body toward the mother, try this experiment on your self. Turn you head to the right facing your shoulder. Now swallow. Turn your head back with your face forward. Now swallow again. Which is easier? You should discover that it is much easier to swallow when your face is forward. Remember this important point and don’t ask your baby to latch on, suck and swallow with her chin twisted to the side.

How to Help the Baby Latch On
You can expect to feel tugging, but not pinching or pain when the infant sucks. Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. Be sure the baby’s mouth is wide open, the lips should be flared and the nose, cheek and chin should touch or nearly touch the breast. If the baby is not latched on correctly, break the suction with your finger to remove the baby from the breast and try again. It may take several attempts for the infant to latch on correctly, especially in the early, learning days of breastfeeding. You are both learning. Be patient and try again.

How to Prevent and Treat Nipple Pain
Be sure that the proper technique is being used for latch and breaking suction. Express colostrum or breast milk on the nipple and areola at the end of each feeding and use warm/cold compresses when discomfort is felt.

How to Prevent and Treat Engorgement
After you have a baby, your body makes milk for the baby whether you breastfeed or not. When you breastfeed you have a wonderful, natural and cute breast pump (your baby). Engorgement may cause the nipple to flatten and make it hard for the baby to latch on and nurse. To prevent engorgement and the pain that accompanies it, be sure to breastfeed your baby frequently (every two to three hours) and completely empty the breast. If you do suffer from engorgement use cold compresses (ice, bags of frozen vegetables, cabbage leaves), breast massage, milk expression (pumping) and pain medication. Avoid heat as that will increase the engorgement. Remember “breast by request”. Your baby can request the breast when she is hungry and you can request your baby to nurse, to help relieve the pressure from engorgement.

Ask for Help
Pain that persists during or after a feeding, or between feedings should be evaluated. Your midwife, your nurse, or lactation consultant can watch you nurse and make suggestions. Skilled, supportive helpers can increase your confidence and make recommendations.