Suggestions

• Make sure your baby’s mouth is wide open with head tilted back for good latch-on. You should be very cautious as cracks can lead to infection. It is recommended to expose nipples to sunlight a couple times a day, and make sure they stay clean and dry between feedings. This will help to heal them and reduce the chance of infection.
• Start with your nipple opposite your baby’s nose.
• If you feel pain that lasts throughout a feeding, break the suction, remove your baby, reposition and try again.
• Ensure a proper release by inserting a finger between your baby’s jaws to break the suction before removing your baby from your breast.
• Make sure your baby’s lips are not turned inward and that your baby is not chewing on your nipple or sucking her tongue. Baby’s lips should be turned outward like “fish lips.” Gently adjust baby’s lips if necessary.
• If your baby is sucking her tongue, you may hear a smacking sound and see your baby’s cheeks dimpling. Take your baby off the breast, reposition, and try again.
• Try different positions until you and your baby find a comfortable routine.
• Express some breast milk onto your nipples after a feeding and then allow your nipples to air dry completely.
• Some moms may want to apply hypoallergenic purified lanolin to their nipples if they are dry and sore. (Make sure to check with your healthcare provider if you have allergies).
• If nipples are damaged, then gently rinse and apply expressed breast milk onto the damaged or sore nipple.