| Sore nipples are usually caused by your baby not being latched on or positioned correctly. Make sure that you are latching your baby onto the areola and not just the nipple.
Other steps you can take to prevent sore nipples, include not washing your breasts excessively and do not use soap on the nipple area, use a loose fitting bra that is kept clean and dry, allow your breasts to air dry after washing, and use lanolin based moisturizers. Begin feeding on the breast which is the least tender and then switch to the more tender breast once the let down reflex has occurred. You can then switch back to the other breast.
If your breasts are sore because they are too full, you can manually express some milk or allow your baby to feed if possible. You can also try taking a hot shower or using a warm heating pad or washcloth.
Cabbage leaves applied after a feeding have may also be helpful as a treatment for sore nipples.
Nipple soreness should improve after a few days. If not, see your doctor, especially if you suspect that you have mastitis, which is a plugging of the ducts in the breast that can lead to infection. With mastitis, your breast may become red and tender and you will require antibiotics to fight this infection. You may continue nursing.
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