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What Causes Sore Breasts While Breastfeeding?

Posted on Sat, 4 Oct 2014

Question: My baby is 3 1/2 weeks old and I have been breastfeeding. This morning I woke up with a very sore breast with a very swollen and painful nipple. The nipple is twice the size of the other one and very very painful when I nurse. Pain even under my arm. What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Dalia Muraleedharan (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Dont worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing..
I understand your concern..

Is there hardness of the breast? Do you feed alternatively from both the breast?

Nipple can get sore due to improper positioning and latching of the baby.. Baby's mouth should be wide open and latch onto breast before feeding. Biting at the tip of nipple can cause sore nipple.

Now you can clean the nipple with warm saline and apply lanolin cream. If there is hardness of the breast, hot fomentation and express the milk. Feed the baby using a nipshield till nipple is fine.. Clean the lanolin cream prior to feeding.. Its not harmful for your baby however.

Hope I have answered your queries.. Feel free to ask any queries.. Good day..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dalia Muraleedharan (25 minutes later)

Yes I feed with both breasts. He is eating every two hours. It is just the one breasts that is very painful. Using a shield on the breast but the nipple is so swollen it is hard to fit into shield. Do I need to contact my doctor?

Answered by Dr. Dalia Muraleedharan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for writing..

yes, Its always better to take medication after a check up with your doctor. Mostly with lanolin and proper latching, sore nipple will heal.. If you cant attach the shield , then express the milk from the affected breast and feed with the normal breast till the swelling heals.

Hope I have answered your queries.. If your doubts are clarified, please close the conversation and rate my answer.. Good day..

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj