From: Anne Smith, IBCLC
Date: 30 Apr 2001
Time: 16:17:07
Remote Name: spider-tk041.proxy.aol.com
The main thing to remember about sore nipples is that breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt! Most nursing moms will experience some degree of tenderness during the early days of breastfeeding, but pain that is severe, lasts beyond the first couple of weeks, or is accompanied by cracks or bleeding needs to be addressed quickly. Limiting the time the baby spends at the breast, applying creams, or pumping the milk out instead of nursing are all comfort measures, but do nothing to address the cause of the soreness. Improper latch on and positioning is the most common cause of soreness and is easily corrected, but there are other causes such as tongue tied baby and yeast infections that need to be evaluated if the soreness persists or becomes severe. The only cream recommended for nursing mothers is the lanolin especially made for that purpose (Purelan or Lansinoh). These do not have to be washed off before feedings. The article "Sore Nipples" on my website has lots of information about preventing and treating nipple soreness. Anne breastfeedingbasics.com
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