Seven Tips for Caring for Your Nipples

Nipple trauma can drive even the staunchest commitment of a mum to breastfeed to the edges of despair. Many new mums give up breastfeeding because of the pain and frustration caused by sore, cracked, swollen, bruised, tender, grazed, bleeding and damaged nipples. Knowing how to care for your nipples can assist in keeping them healthy and your resolve to breastfeed strong. Here are seven simple tips for caring for your nipples.

Proper Attachment

The majority of nipple trauma comes from incorrect attachment — that is the baby is not positioned or latched on correctly. Getting it right from the beginning is important.

• Take the time before birth to read about breastfeeding and the mechanics of attachment.

• Spend time with women who are breastfeeding, and ask if it’s OK if you watch so you have a mental image in your head of what good attachment looks like. If you don’t know anyone who is breastfeeding, hire or get a good breastfeeding video or DVD.

• Have a trusted midwife or friend with you during the first feed to help or guide you if necessary.

• Allow the first feed to unfold in its own good time…babies do know what they are doing if allowed the space to explore and initiate the first feed. Forcing the first feed can cause attachment problems (I know from first hand experience!) that can be hard to break and nipple trauma that is difficult and painful to manage.

• Feed topless — to allow skin-to-skin contact.

• Repeat the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s mantra “chest to chest, chin to breast.”

You can find more information on the mechanics of correct attachment here.

Detach Gently

If you chose to terminate a feed before your baby is ready, or if you need to take your baby off the breast to correct their attachment, do it gently.

• Ease your finger into the side of their mouth.

• Gently break the vacuum that their sucking has created.

• Then take the baby from the nipple.

If you pull the baby from the nipple it may be impossible to break the suction. Pulling will be painful and possibly cause damage (think of the bruise that rises from sucking hard on your arm), both things you want to avoid.

Short, Frequent Feeds

Feeding frequently and for short periods will allow the breasts to get used to their new role and give the nipples a chance to toughen up — especially in the first few days when the baby is only receiving colostrum. A baby that is ravenous, will suck harder and do more damage if they attach incorrectly. If your baby needs to suck for comfort, consider offering a finger in between feeds in the early days (don’t offer a dummy!)

Zinc

Zinc is the wonder mineral of breastfeeding. It is especially important in preventing nipple trauma because it is involved with the formation of collagen, and good zinc levels will ensure the integrity of the sensitive nipple tissues(1). Zinc should be taken throughout pregnancy and for the duration of lactation. Women have reported rapid improvement in cracked nipples and other nipple trauma within 24-48 hours of beginning zinc supplements.

Zinc is best taken in liquid form.

For more information on the benefits of zinc and breastfeeding read The Tallangatta Study on improved breastfeeding retention rates associated with post natal oral supplementation.

No Soap

Keeping your nipples free from oil-stripping soap during pregnancy and while breastfeeding protects the natural oils in the areola to lubricate the skin, keeping it supple and protected from damage. You can supplement the natural oils during pregnancy and breastfeeding by massaging olive, avocado or almond oil into the breasts and gently pull the nipple out (best during pregnancy!).

Fresh Air and Sunlight

The best preparation a woman can undertake for breastfeeding is to expose her breasts to the sunlight and to go without a bra(2). While this may be OK for some, not everyone is comfortable with topless sunbathing and many women need to wear a bra. Having small amounts of sun exposure and rubbing the nipples with a soft towel during pregnancy will help create robust nipples ready for breastfeeding. In the early weeks of breastfeeding:

• Take time out either in the early morning or late afternoon to sit topless in the sun.

• Between feeds leave the flaps of your breastfeeding bra open to allow air flow.

• If your breasts are tender or the nipples sensitive, consider going without a bra.

• Change breast pads frequently to avoid moist, warm environments where bugs thrive.

• Change wet bras and shirts as soon as possible, again to avoid the moist warm environments that they create.

Natural Fibres

Natural fibres are the best type to have against your skin while you are breastfeeding. Not only do they breathe, and are soft, some materials such as hemp cloth, also have anti bacterial properties.

• Invest in a natural fibre bra, breastfeeding singlet or camisole singlets that have space for breastfeeding pads.

• If that isn’t possible, invest in natural fibre breast pads  Not only are they good for you, they are good for the environment as they are washable and reusable. Buy organic fabric whenever possible.

• Avoid plastic backed breast pads as they will hold the moisture against the skin.

Preparing your breasts for their new role can begin in pregnancy — sun exposure, the gentle rubbing of cloth against the nipples, avoiding soap and taking zinc supplements. In the early days of breastfeeding, getting the attachment right, detaching gently when necessary, allowing the breast to stay clean and dry, as well as treating them to the luxury of natural fibres will all assist in avoiding nipple trauma.

Do you have any tips or wisdom to share with new Mums for keeping nipples healthy and intact in the first weeks of pregnancy?

References

(1) The Natural Way to Better Breastfeeding, 2002. Francesca Naish and Janette Roberts.  Double Day: Sydney

(2) ibid

Image: My Breasts (c) Gemma Rose Turnball 2004

Jodi Cleghorn is a mother, writer and editor, feminist, social geographer and Type-A Mom’s Breastfeeding editor. She is the co-author of Reclaiming Sex After Childbirth: the survival guide with Annie Evett and a regular contributor to Down to Birth magazine. Jodi lives in Brisbane, Australia with her partner Dave, son Dylan, the fish of Bo and Keats the Cat.

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2. Discomfort in Breastfeeding
3. How to Breastfeed
4. Caring For Your Sick Teens
5. My Cross Nursing Experience