One of the most common pains related to breastfeeding is cracking of the nipples and areola. The best thing you can do is rub lanolin onto the cut regularly, with a breast pad covering it so you do not mess up your clothing.

If your pain is related to engorgement, you must relieve some of the pressure through pumping. You can then place a warm compress on your breasts to massage out the “knots”.

    

I have had some pain associated with breastfeeding in the past and have found that a warm compress does help. I have also found that using a heating pad on my chest aleviates some of the pain as well. What I was not prepared for and no one bothered to tell me was that you would have cramping when you first start breast feeding, especially if this was not your first child. These pains were similar to menstral cramps or contractions for me and I was not sure what was happening since no one bothered to tell me not even in the hospital until I asked. So that is just a warning. They do go away after a few days though.

GREAT issue to bring up, jhall! Those actually are contractions and guess what?? It is actually a GREAT thing to have after giving birth! It means your uterus is returning to its normal size again. And by you breastfeeding, it speeds up the process. Or rather, those who do not breastfeed slow down their process. I know it hurts. I remember, too! But I took comfort in knowing it was good for my body. And drinking red raspberry leaf tea helps too.

Proper latch is also SO important to alleviate nursing pain. If your hospital has lactation consultants available, definitely use them! My LC with my first child taught me the "Sandwich" move. Basically, you sort of smoosh your breast a little horizontally and place the baby on your nipple. This makes it easier for the baby to latch on, just like it's easier for us to bite into a sandwich held horizontally than one held vertically.

Nipple shields can be a lifesaver, too, even if you don't have inverted nipples. I used one on one side that my daughter just couldn't seem to get a good latch on until we were a more practiced nursing team. They do come in different sizes, so make sure to get the right one-my LC helped me out again there when she saw I'd been given the wrong size.

I never had nipple cracking problems, but the cramps were the worst! Not only did they not tell me about them ahead of time, but one nurse let slip that they would be worse with each child after I mentioned them with child #2. By child #4 I was in major pain those first few days. Tylenol3 took the edge off for the first few days, then they got better on their own.

My doula called it "making it like a cheeseburger", not a sandwich. But that is so funny we were both taught that, and in reference to food. I learned this on his 2nd or 3rd feeding and owe that very position to my success in breastfeeding all these years!

BTW- My friend was having a hard time feeding her baby and I tried teaching her the same position and the nurse came in, angry, saying that way was wrong! I disagree.