{"id":8959,"date":"2020-01-02T13:21:39","date_gmt":"2020-01-02T18:21:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/?p=8959"},"modified":"2025-01-15T14:27:18","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T19:27:18","slug":"pain-during-breastfeeding-and-other-common-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/pain-during-breastfeeding-and-other-common-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Is breastfeeding pain ever normal? And other common problems"},"content":{"rendered":"

Breastfeeding is often pictured as an intuitive and beautifully intimate experience between mother and child. But for some moms it can be frustrating and difficult \u2014 or even impossible. It can also be incredibly time consuming. Because each woman\u2019s experience is unique, it\u2019s also hard to know what\u2019s normal and what\u2019s not, even if you have a circle of experienced moms to talk to. Many women experience pain during breastfeeding, especially when their child is newborn. But is this a sign that something is wrong, or is pain during nursing to be expected? We spoke to veteran lactation consultant (LC) Fara Patterson to find out. Patterson has been a practicing LC for decades, and has helped hundreds of women along their breastfeeding journeys.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you know what\u2019s normal?<\/h2>\n

Patterson says that sensitive nipples are quite common during the first few days of nursing \u2014 especially during the initial horrors of cluster feeding \u2014 but your body should acclimatize after a few days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to pain, however, Patterson says that 99% of the time it means something is wrong. \u201cIn twenty years I\u2019ve come across a handful of people whose skin is just so sensitive that breastfeeding is permanently uncomfortable for them. But those individuals are incredibly rare. So if nursing hurts, especially if <\/span>breastfeeding<\/span> causes <\/span>cracked nipples<\/span>, broken skin, or bleeding, you need help.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Newborn latching problems<\/h2>\n

Difficulty getting your baby to <\/span>latch<\/span> can cause <\/span>breastfeeding problems<\/span> for many new mothers. If you experience pain when nursing, it likely has to do with your baby\u2019s latch, and it signals that you could use some help and soon \u2014 before it derails your breastfeeding journey. Patterson explains that, \u201cafter your baby is born, you have a hormonal cascade that results in breastmilk getting made. But somewhere between week two and six, your hormones ebb and that goes away. At that point, your breast milk making capacity depends entirely on your body replacing what baby takes from your breast.\u201d So if you don\u2019t improve your baby\u2019s latch before this transition, you risk experiencing a decrease in milk supply. (Not to mention continued pain during breastfeeding.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Breastfeeding with flat or inverted nipples<\/h2>\n

Many women are concerned that they have <\/span>inverted or flat nipples<\/span><\/a> which might contribute to painful nursing sessions or even make breastfeeding impossible. While this can sometimes make it more difficult for baby to latch initially, with support from an LC many women with inverted or flat nipples are able to breastfeed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thrush<\/h2>\n

Besides improper latch, there are a few conditions that can cause <\/span>breastfeeding<\/span> pain, and <\/span>thrush<\/span>\u00a0is one of them. A yeast infection of the breast, thrush can be transmitted back and forth between your nipple and your baby\u2019s mouth. Telltale signs include white patches inside your baby\u2019s mouth and increased fussiness during nursing. Moms are likely to notice sharp, stinging pains in their breast and\/or nipple during or between feeds, and your nipples might have a red and shiny appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mastitis<\/h2>\n

Mastitis<\/span><\/a> is another common <\/span>breastfeeding problem<\/span> that causes nursing pain. It affects about <\/span>20 percent<\/span><\/a> of lactating women and is caused by a severely blocked duct or an infection in the breast. Mastitis typically appears first as a warm, red area on your breast and can result in flu-like symptoms. If precipitated by a blocked duct, it often begins as a small lump in one of the breasts, although even if <\/span>no lump<\/span> is present, a <\/span>sore breast<\/span> while <\/span>breastfeeding<\/span> can still mean mastitis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blocked ducts<\/h2>\n

Blocked milk ducts happen when breast milk backs up or isn\u2019t removed from the breast properly. This is often caused by a bad latch or a sudden decrease in your baby\u2019s nursing frequency. A blocked duct can be painful, but if the pain intensifies or you also have flu-like symptoms, it\u2019s likely become mastitis. The best way to treat blocked ducts is with nursing, heat and massage. They should be addressed quickly to prevent them from turning into mastitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Milk blisters<\/h2>\n

A milk blister, or bleb, looks like a pimple or a whitehead on the nipple. It happens when skin grows over a milk duct opening and can be extremely painful both while nursing and between feeds. While typically caused by an improper latch, engorgement, or friction, a bleb can also be precipitated by thrush. To treat it, try and soften the spot with warm compresses or soak it during a bath. Whatever you do, don\u2019t try and open the blister yourself, as this increases your risk of infection. If it is extremely painful or seems to be getting bigger, see a doctor for additional options such as having it lanced.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should I see a doctor or a lactation consultant?<\/h2>\n

Mastitis and thrush are two cases where you\u2019ll likely want to go straight to the doctor. While both may go away in the early stages after treatment at home, if you\u2019ve had symptoms for more than a couple of days, antibiotics or antifungals are likely necessary. But no matter what you do, continue to breastfeed \u2014 it helps to speed up healing in both cases, and is entirely safe for your baby. Stopping can actually cause secondary issues like engorgement or blocked ducts, leading to further pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

If nursing is painful and you\u2019re sure it\u2019s not because of active mastitis or thrush, seeing an LC is usually the way to go. Patterson affirms that many <\/span>breastfeeding problems <\/span>\u2014 <\/span>pain<\/span>, <\/span>low milk supply<\/span>, and even blocked ducts \u2014 all come down to a bad latch. Pain signals that your baby is fastened to the breast in a way that isn\u2019t serving either them or mom. Lactation consultants are trained to help you solve exactly this issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

A tongue tie is another common reason for pain. This condition can be hard to diagnose on your own, but essentially means that a portion of your child\u2019s tongue is attached to their mouth, making it difficult for them to latch. Both a lactation consultant and a doctor should be able to diagnose the condition, however you will need a doctor to snip the tongue tie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breastfeeding tips for sore nipples<\/h2>\n