Key Takeaways
- Some nipple tenderness in the first days of breastfeeding is common, but pain that continues past the first minute of a feeding usually points to a latch problem.
- A shallow latch is the most common cause of ongoing breastfeeding pain, and it can also affect how much milk your baby gets.
- Cracked nipples, engorgement, clogged ducts, and mastitis, a breast infection, can all cause pain and may need treatment.
- Adjusting your baby's positioning and getting a deeper latch often resolves pain within a few days.
- Capital Area Pediatrics offers on-site lactation consultations for CAP families across Northern Virginia, and reaching out early can help you get to comfortable, successful feedings sooner.
Is Some Breastfeeding Pain Normal?
Many new mothers notice some sensitivity when their baby first latches on, especially in the first week or two, and this brief 'pins and needles' feeling typically fades within the first minute of a feeding as your baby settles into a steady suck. Pain that continues throughout a feeding, or that gets worse instead of better over the first couple of weeks, is not something you have to just push through. It is almost always a sign that something can be adjusted.
Common Causes of Painful Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding pain usually has an identifiable cause. The table below outlines a few of the most common ones.
| Cause | What It Feels Like |
|---|---|
| Shallow latch | Pinching or pain that lasts through the whole feeding, sometimes with a compressed or misshapen nipple afterward |
| Engorgement | Firm, full, or tender breasts, usually in the first days as milk supply increases |
| Clogged duct | A tender, hard lump in one area of the breast, without fever |
| Mastitis | Redness, warmth, and pain in one area, often with fever or flu-like symptoms |
A Shallow or Poor Latch
A shallow latch, where a baby takes in mostly the nipple instead of a good mouthful of breast tissue, is the leading cause of ongoing pain. Beyond discomfort, HealthyChildren.org's guide to ensuring a proper latch notes that a poor latch can also reduce how much milk a baby is able to remove, which can affect your milk supply over time.
Bringing your baby to the breast, rather than leaning forward to meet your baby, and making sure their mouth covers a wide mouthful of breast tissue, not just the nipple, can make a noticeable difference within a feeding or two. Supporting your breast with a C-shaped hold and waiting for your baby to open wide before latching are two of the simplest adjustments to try first.
If you’re having trouble with these techniques, don’t worry: our lactation consultants can help you and your baby work through latch struggles. Additionally, if pain does not improve after a few adjustments, a lactation consultation can help pinpoint exactly what is happening. HealthyChildren.org's guidance on treating breast pain also recommends having your pediatrician or lactation specialist check your baby's latch in the days and weeks following birth, since small corrections early on can prevent bigger problems later.
Engorgement and Clogged Ducts
As milk supply increases in the first days after birth, breasts can become firm and tender. If milk is not draining well from one area, a firm, tender lump called a clogged duct can develop.
Here are some ways to address these problems:
- Feed your baby frequently.
- Maintain a deep latch with a wide open mouth.
- Use moist heat (such as taking a warm shower) and/or massage the breast before feeding.
- Use a cold compress between feeds.
- Use hand expression or reverse pressure softening before latching to relieve pressure and soften the breast.
If you have questions about any of these techniques, the lactation consultants at Capital Area Pediatrics can help.
Mastitis: When Pain Comes With Other Symptoms
Mastitis is inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes can lead to a bacterial infection. The most common cause of mastitis is hyperlactation or an oversupply of milk. This oversupply of milk causes your milk ducts to narrow because the surrounding tissue puts pressure on the ducts. This leads to engorgement, which is when your breasts are extremely full and swollen. This is known as inflammatory mastitis.
Cleveland Clinic's overview of mastitis describes symptoms that go beyond typical soreness, including redness, warmth, and flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches. Quick treatment is essential during the first 12-24 hours, so contact your pediatrician and consider the following if you’re experiencing these symptoms:
- Consider taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen).
- Frequent milk removal via breastfeeding or pump from the affected side can help drain the breast well.
- Use moist heat (or a warm shower) and/or massage the breast prior to feeding
- Drink plenty of water, maintain good nutrition, and get some rest so your body can heal.
- Avoid constrictive clothing or bras.
- If prescribed antibiotics, complete the full course even if symptoms resolve.
If your symptoms worsen even after these steps, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
When Breastfeeding Pain Signals a Bigger Issue
Reach out to your care team if you notice severe pain that does not ease as your baby settles in, cracked or bleeding nipples, a fever, or a red and painful area on your breast. These can be signs that need medical attention or hands-on support to correct.
Capital Area Pediatrics offers lactation consultations for CAP families, combining time with a certified lactation consultant and a pediatric provider in the same visit, so latch, supply, and your baby's growth can all be addressed together.
Get Comfortable, Confident Feedings With Capital Area Pediatrics
Breastfeeding pain is common, but it is not something you have to simply live with. Most causes, from a shallow latch to engorgement, respond well to a few adjustments and some hands-on support.
If breastfeeding is hurting more than it should, schedule a lactation consultation with Capital Area Pediatrics today. Our lactation consultants and pediatric providers are here to help you and your baby get to comfortable, successful feedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does breastfeeding hurt even when the latch seems right?
Some initial tenderness is normal in the first week or two as you and your baby get the hang of feeding. If pain continues past the first minute of a feeding or does not improve after a couple of weeks, it is worth having your latch checked.
How long does breastfeeding pain typically last?
Mild tenderness in the first days often eases within one to two weeks as latch and positioning improve. Pain that lasts longer than that, or that is severe, usually has a specific cause that can be addressed.
What are signs of a poor latch?
Pain that lasts through the whole feeding, a compressed or misshapen nipple after nursing, and clicking sounds during feeding can all point to a shallow latch.
When should I worry about deep breast pain after breastfeeding?
Deep breast pain, especially with redness, warmth, or fever, can be a sign of a clogged duct or mastitis. Contact your provider promptly if these symptoms appear.
Where can I find lactation support near me in Northern Virginia?
Capital Area Pediatrics offers lactation consultations for CAP families at all of its Northern Virginia locations, as well as a Breastfeeding 101 class and a Lactation Support Group. Find a Capital Area Pediatrics location near you or call (703) 359-5100 to schedule.
