Pain While Breastfeeding: Why It Occurs and How to Alleviate It

As expert midwives in breastfeeding, one of the most common questions you ask us during consultations is whether it is normal to experience pain while breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding your baby should not be painful.

That said, it is important to differentiate between mild and occasional discomfort or some sensitivity in the first few days of breastfeeding and persistent pain.

To solve this problem, it is important to identify the most common causes of breast pain during breastfeeding.

Table of Contents

• When breast pain during breastfeeding deserves attention
• Common causes that can lead to pain while breastfeeding
• What mistakes often delay the solution to the problem
• When a lactation consultant can help you
• Frequently asked questions
• You need help if breastfeeding hurts

When Breast Pain During Breastfeeding Deserves Attention

The initial adjustment to breastfeeding can cause certain discomforts.

These usually appear when the mammary gland develops the capacity to produce milk, which occurs between 48-72 hours after delivery.

This process is known as lactogenesis, the moment when your body transitions from producing colostrum to milk. You can consult this and other related terms in the breastfeeding mother's dictionary.

Pain while breastfeeding during the milk let-down is caused by an increase in blood and lymphatic flow in the breast, leading to inflammation of the tissues, warmth, and tension in the same area.

This type of mild and occasional pain does not always require personalized attention.

However, there are situations that do require evaluation by a professional expert in breastfeeding.

When this pain is intense, persists over time, and/or affects your baby's feedings, it should be reviewed in a lactation consultation.

Common Causes That Can Lead to Pain While Breastfeeding

As mentioned earlier, persistent pain of moderate to severe intensity indicates a problem that needs review and correction to avoid complications.

The factors causing this pain while breastfeeding may be related to the baby (poor latch), poor positioning, or infections, mechanical or anatomical issues, or tissue inflammation (mastitis).

Don’t miss the main causes of pain in breastfeeding.

A Latch That Hinders Feeding

One of the most common causes of pain during breastfeeding is due to the baby’s poor latch.

An ineffective latch prevents the baby from extracting breast milk properly. This usually happens when the baby's sucking focuses solely on the nipple and does not cover part of the areola.

The usual consequences of a poor latch are discomfort from friction, the formation of cracks, and insufficient weight gain in the baby.

The result is endless feedings that do not achieve their goal, which is the proper nutrition of your baby. The baby does not feel satisfied and, therefore, becomes irritable, leading to episodes of crying and frustration for the mother.

An Uncomfortable Position While Breastfeeding

A poor position while breastfeeding affects your comfort and can lead to discomfort such as muscle strain (lumbar and cervical). Therefore, it is essential to avoid any tension during feedings.

You may not know that a poor position while breastfeeding promotes the occurrence of cracks and breast pain.

Additionally, adopting an inadequate position while breastfeeding also directly impacts your baby’s feeding, encourages a poor latch, and leads to gas issues.

For all these reasons, it is very important to maintain good posture while breastfeeding.

Find a comfortable position, preferably with your back fully supported, shoulders and arms relaxed, and your feet resting on a flat surface. Your knees should be slightly above your hips. You can use a footrest for this.

Once you are comfortably and correctly seated, bring the baby to your breast, not the other way around. One of the most common mistakes we make is that the mother leans towards the baby. This creates tensions that lead to discomfort.

Instead, place a pillow or nursing cushion on your lap to elevate the baby to your breast.

It is as important to achieve a good position while breastfeeding as it is to ensure the correct alignment of the baby. Their ear, shoulder, and hip should form a straight line. Their abdomen should be close to yours, and the baby’s nose should be at the level of the breast.

Injuries and Irritation in the Nipple Area

Irritation, chafing, and sustained sensitivity promote the occurrence of cracks and, therefore, pain during breastfeeding.

Cracks are one of the most common breastfeeding-related issues we address in consultations. Moreover, they are one of the main reasons many families decide to stop breastfeeding.

Feeding your baby on demand with a sore nipple can be very challenging, especially when feedings are frequent and do not allow the nipple time to heal.

This is why discomfort can persist over time and even worsen if not addressed.

Situations That Require Individual Evaluation

Pain while breastfeeding usually indicates treatable problems. The most common causes include poor latch, short tongue tie (ankyloglossia), nipple cracks, engorgement, infections, or inflammations like mastitis.

Sometimes, there is not a single cause that explains the pain.

Identifying and correcting these issues is key to achieving successful breastfeeding.

What Mistakes Often Delay the Solution to the Problem

A common mistake in motherhood is normalizing pain during breastfeeding. However, breastfeeding your baby should not be painful.

Sometimes, you tell us in consultations that you waited too long before seeking lactation support. This only worsens the situation and may lead you to consider stopping breastfeeding.

Seeking generic solutions or remedies based on the experiences of other mothers is not always the best way to address pain in breastfeeding. On the contrary, they can hinder your recovery.

It is important to be clear that pain is avoidable.

Therefore, if discomfort persists, it is advisable to seek professional help.

When a Lactation Consultant Can Help You

A lactation consultant can help you identify the source of the pain and improve the situation through treatment and/or correction.

If you have just given birth, the lactation expert will assist you in establishing comfortable positions that prevent pain and ensure a good latch.

Their intervention will also be crucial in addressing issues such as cracks, blocked ducts, breast engorgement, and/or mastitis.

A complete medical evaluation is based on the characteristics and location of the pain, the sucking dynamics, observation of the nipple, and palpation.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have lingering questions related to pain during breastfeeding, perhaps this section will clarify some of them.

Is it normal to feel pain in the nipple while breastfeeding in the first few days?

Feeling slight sensitivity or temporary discomfort at the beginning of a feeding is common in the first few days of breastfeeding.

When should I be concerned about pain during breastfeeding?

If the pain persists and is intense, you should contact a lactation expert as soon as possible to prevent the pain from worsening and/or complicating the situation.

Do cracks always cause pain?

Yes, generally, cracks hurt as they are open wounds or fissures in the skin of the nipple. It is a very characteristic pain: sharp and may present a burning sensation. It is one of the most painful discomforts of breastfeeding.

Can positioning during feedings influence pain?

Yes, pain during breastfeeding can be due to poor positioning. A good position promotes an optimal latch, which stimulates milk production and prevents painful cracks.

Should I seek help if the pain does not go away?

Yes, it is very important to consult a professional in breastfeeding if the pain is intense, persists over time, or affects your baby's feeding.

You Need Help If Breastfeeding Hurts

As you can see, pain during breastfeeding has very different causes and, in the vast majority of cases, improves when the underlying issue is correctly identified.

For this, it is essential to have good guidance. This will only come from a specialist in breastfeeding.

Hiring a lactation consultant ensures a successful breastfeeding experience.