• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
The Breastfeeding Mama

The Breastfeeding Mama

Online Breastfeeding Education

  • The TBM Academy
  • eCourses +
    • Pump Like a Pro Online Class
    • Breastfeeding Bootcamp
    • Weaning Made Easy
    • Find Your Fit: Flange Fitting Workshop
    • Milk and Solids
  • Support +
    • Book a Consult
    • Book a Virtual Consult
    • 28-Day Breastfeeding Meal Plan
    • Book a Flange Fitting
    • Support Resources
    • Etsy Shop
    • Freebies & Discounts +
      • Freebies
      • Discounts and Recommendations
      • Printables
  • Articles +
    • Latest Articles
    • FAQs
    • Milk Supply
    • Newborn
    • Older Nursling
    • Problems
    • Pumping
    • Pregnancy
  • About +
    • Work With The Breastfeeding Mama
    • About Katie
    • Become an Affiliate
    • Contact Us
    • Medical Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
  • Find A Class
  • Courses
    • Breastfeeding Bootcamp
    • Pump Like a Pro Online Class
    • Weaning Made Easy
    • Milk and Solids
  • Book a Consult
  • Resources
    • Guides
      • The Ultimate Breastfeeding Toolkit
      • Master Your Milk Supply Workshop
      • The Clogged Duct Cure
      • Find Your Fit: Flange Fitting Workshop
    • Articles
    • 28 Day Breastfeeding Meal Plan
    • Printables
  • About
    • About Katie
    • Become an Affiliate
    • Work With The Breastfeeding Mama
    • Contact Us
    • Donate to The Breastfeeding Mama
    • Medical Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy

browse articles:

Breastfeeding

Breast Pumping

Breastfeeding Problems

Pregnancy

Home > Breastfeeding > Problems > 5 Soothing Solutions for Sore and Cracked Nipples from Breastfeeding
Pin
Share
Tweet

5 Soothing Solutions for Sore and Cracked Nipples from Breastfeeding

Written by Katie Clark, CLE, CBS on November 7, 2020

Posts on The Breastfeeding Mama contain affiliate links, which I earn a small commission from. These are provided for your convenience, and the price is not increased at all.

Sore or cracked nipples are extremely common for new breastfeeding mothers. They can be a result of your baby not latching correctly or if you’re not using your breast pump correctly. I

Sore or cracked nipples are extremely common for new breastfeeding mothers. They can be a result of your baby not latching correctly or if you’re not using your breast pump correctly. If this is your problem- check out our online breastfeeding course to help you get your baby to latch and make breastfeeding a more comfortable experience.

baby crying into mom's chest

Some symptoms of cracked nipples are soreness, throbbing, dryness, bleeding, and oozing from the nipple. This can be extremely painful or uncomfortable and often leads to early weaning and a decrease of milk supply.

Below are five remedies we suggest for soothing and “fixing up” your cracked nipples

1. Warm Compress

A very common solution for most breastfeeding related issues (how to get rid of clogged milk ducts), it is suggested that you try applying a warm compress to your cracked nipple. Place a soft cloth in warm water, wring out the access water, then gently press the cloth over your nipple and breast for a few minutes. After you finish with the compress, make sure to gently pat dry your nipple completely before getting redressed.

2. Use Freshly Expressed Milk

One of the most accessible things you have while breastfeeding might just be the thing that heals your cracked nipples- breast milk! With clean hands, apply a few drops of your breast milk to your sore nipples and allow the milk to air dry completely before covering up.

3. Salt Water Rinse

Create a saline solution by mixing ½ teaspoon of salt with 1 cup (8 oz) of warm water. Soak your tender nipple in the solution for about 1 minute following your nursing sessions.

You can soak for a little bit longer but I don’t recommend exceeding 5 minutes as it could over-hydrate your skin and lead to even more cracking and discomfort. After soaking the nipple, gently pat dry.

4. Change Your Nursing Pads Regularly

The discomfort and pain of cracked nipples can be heightened by leaving your nipples in moist environments. To prevent this, try making sure you’re frequently changing your nursing pads or bras. Creating a dryer environment will allow your body to heal the cracked nipples.

5. Apply Lanolin Ointment

If you would prefer to go the route of moist healing, I suggest you try a medical-grade lanolin ointment specifically designed to remedy this type of problem! Just apply the cream after breastfeeding.

I hope that one of these solutions helps you get the relief you deserve! Breastfeeding can be so challenging but you can get through this. Let us know down below if any of these solutions worked for you or if you have any other suggestions!

BONUS: Silverette Nipple Cups

I recently asked about Silverette on Instagram, and I got SO many positive reviews.

These are silver cups that are designed to protect nipples and help heal cracked nipples. Silver is an antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial material that can help to prevent and heal cuts and wounds. While I haven’t personally used these, I was blown away by the positive response I got when I asked about them! Check them out here.

Some more breastfeeding advice and tips

  • Top Must-Haves for Breastfeeding Twin Babies
  • 8 Ways to Unclog a Blocked Milk Duct in No Time
  • The Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump: What All New Moms Should Know
  • The Ultimate Guide to Breastfeeding as a Working Mom: Tips, Schedules and More
  • Six Helpful Apple Watch Breastfeeding Apps
Katie Clark, CLE, CBS

Katie Clark is a Certified Lactation Educator, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, and IBCLC student. She has helped thousands of mothers and families around the globe navigate breastfeeding challenges and questions since 2015. She has a passion for creating research-based, helpful breastfeeding education and helping parents find a way to make breastfeeding work for them. Katie is a mom of three little boys and lives in the great state of Colorado. She also has a degree in Communications with an emphasis in print journalism.

Pin
Share
Tweet
Previous Post:Top Must-Haves for Breastfeeding Twin Babies
Next Post:Breastfeeding and Alcohol: Everything You Need to KnowBeautiful woman holding a bottle of wine

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sidebar

Trending Posts

  1. Free Breastfeeding and Alcohol Calculator
  2. How to Remove Clogged Ducts with a Haakaa
  3. Interactive Breastfed Baby Growth Chart
  4. Intermittent Fasting While Breastfeeding
  5. Six Helpful Apple Watch Breastfeeding Apps
  6. How to Scald Breast Milk
  7. Breast Milk in a Bottle Calculator
  8. Blue Gatorade for Increasing Milk Supply
  9. How to Stay Awake While Breastfeeding
  10. Mom Approved Haakaa Hacks

Help Others Mamas Like You!

If you have found The Breastfeeding Mama to be helpful, consider making a donation to help provide more free breastfeeding information for new parents around the world!

DONATE
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • TikTok

Copyright © 2023 The Breast Feeding Mama · All Rights Reserved