Why are my nipples still sore? What can I do?

More often then not, sore nipples are caused by improper latch-on. If the baby does not open wide, he or she may be "slurping" in the nipple and this can be very painful. If the majority of nipple pain is at the beginning of the breastfeeding session and tends to be less painful as the feeding goes on, it is probably due to latch-on. For helpful tips and to see proper latching techniques, see the Lansinoh® Latch-On Video.

For proper latch-on, the baby's chin should anchor on the breast about 1 inch from the nipple and then the top lip should pop over the nipple. In other words, get the lower lip as far from the nipple as possible because the common culprit of nipple pain is the baby’s tongue thrusting on the nipple. The tongue and lower jaw should be as far from the nipple as possible with as wide a mouth as possible.

If your nipples do become sore or cracked, Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin can be applied to help soothe, heal, and protect sore cracked nipples. And because Lansinoh

Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin is ultra-pure, medical-grade lanolin, that contains no preservatives or allergenic components it does not have to be wiped off prior to breastfeeding. Please note that while Lansinoh® HPA® Lanolin will help soothe, heal and protect sore or cracked nipples, it is essential that you uncover the underlying cause of the soreness. If your nipples are still sore and you believe that your latch is correct, you should see a Lactation Consultant to rule out any other issues.

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