Bitten Nipples While Breastfeeding – How to Treat Them?

Bitten warts – causes of their occurrence

Sore nipples from breastfeeding occur when the baby does not latch on correctly or is in the wrong position. This is the cause of as many as 89% of nipple pain cases. You can read more about how to avoid this at the end of this article.

In turn, a study conducted in the United Kingdom in 2010 (Infant Feeding Survey) showed that as many as 12% of women give up breastfeeding because of sore nipples or breasts. It is worth remembering that difficulties in breastfeeding may have an anatomical basis. These are child factors, such as a shortened frenulum - in such a case, the infant is unable to stick the tongue forward in the normal range, which prevents it from sucking properly. A simple frenotomy procedure allows you to remedy the problem and prevent the need for speech therapy consultations in the future (a frenulum that is too short can cause difficulties with pronunciation).

Another cause of discomfort and ineffective latching on to the breast by the baby may be excessive muscle tension in the baby (its symptoms include a clenched jaw or arching the body). It is caused by the position the fetus assumes in the uterus, difficulties during labor, pain, increased hunger, and neurological disorders of the child. In such a case, it is recommended to consult a lactation consultant and a doctor.

Breastfeeding is widely considered a natural activity – but learning how to do it correctly doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Sometimes it takes some time to get the hang of it. And that’s okay! Severe breast pain and very sensitive skin can make the process much more difficult and discourage you from continuing. The key to preventing your baby from biting you is proper feeding technique and positioning your baby .

An important aspect of proper breastfeeding is education and awareness . It is best to learn and understand the technique of sucking a small child before birth, in order to prepare for feeding. Lactation consultants and specialists from childbirth classes can help with this. Although maternal instinct and hormones partially help with an intuitive approach to breastfeeding, people after their first birth can and are encouraged to seek help and consult in case of any doubts.

How to recognize bitten warts?

Bitten, cracked nipples hurt. The pain can be stinging or burning, short-term or long-term. There are redness or even wounds on the nipples. It is worth mentioning that not in every case the discomfort is caused by the baby biting. Under the supervision of a doctor, you should rule out such conditions as: cellulitis, inflammation of the mammary gland, breast abscess, viral, bacterial and fungal infections, vascular spasms, dermatological conditions, as well as neoplastic changes in the breast (such as ulcers; if you notice something similar in yourself, make an appointment with a doctor to make sure that everything is OK). Blocked milk ducts and excess milk can also be problematic .

In addition to the obvious pain signals, a good clue is to observe your baby's behavior and face while feeding. Does he cover the nipple with his whole mouth? Does he smack his lips instead of swallowing? Is his chin not sticking to the breast? If so, it means he is not latching on properly. Below I write how to teach him to do it correctly.

How to relieve pain from bitten nipples?

If you have decided to go down the breastfeeding path, try to get used to the idea that you may have sore nipples. Yes, it is unpleasant! But at the same time, don't forget that, fortunately, there are ways to alleviate the unpleasant effects of complications and difficulties related to breastfeeding.

Method No. 1: Lubricating the nipples with food and airing the breasts

Sore nipples during breastfeeding can be soothed with your own milk. Breast milk applied to the skin has an anti-inflammatory effect, helps wounds heal and can prevent infections. Its additional advantage is that it is non-allergenic. Lightly press the breast (not the nipple) and apply a few drops of your milk to the cracked nipples. Let it dry. If you are struggling with pain, it is important to air your breasts after each feeding and thus prevent infections and contaminations. For this purpose, you can use special airing shells - they are placed in the cups of the bra to protect the nipples from rubbing against the material and to "catch" the leaking milk.

You can use a balm or ointment on your nipples as an alternative to your food. A suitable ointment for sore nipples makes feeding easier because it soothes irritation and provides relief from discomfort. There are products available on the market with lanolin , which is well-researched and has proven effectiveness, but it is a substance obtained from the sebaceous glands of animals - so it cannot be described as a vegan product.

As a vegan alternative, I recommend the regenerating balm from the Your KAYA MAMA line with tamanu oil – 99% natural, completely safe for baby, in a convenient travel format. It is worth keeping it in the fridge to apply an additional cooling and soothing effect to sore nipples. It is not necessary (although it is recommended) to wash it off before feeding.

Method No. 2: Cold compresses

Sore nipples can be soothed by ice cubes wrapped in a muslin cloth or cotton cloth , applied to the breast about half an hour after feeding. They should bring relief from swelling and discomfort. You can also make a cold compress of marigold.

Method #3: Silicone covers

While breastfeeding, you can cover your nipples and areolas with a special shield. Thin, soft, silicone shields protect sensitive skin from irritation. This is a temporary solution to help your baby latch on properly, and give you time to heal any wounds.

How to avoid bitten nipples while breastfeeding?

There are a few rules that should be followed when breastfeeding. Bitten nipples are very often the result of improper positioning and attachment of the baby. Mastering the correct technique of sucking the breast by the mother (and the baby) is the key to comfortable feeding and prevention of irritation.

People who choose KP as a feeding method know very well how annoying a problem sore nipples are. How to feed without getting them?

• Teach your baby to latch. Of course, it is important to cover the nipple with your whole mouth - but not only that. You should also remember about the areola (some women have naturally large ones; in this case, it is understandable that the baby will not be able to cover it completely; then he will latch on to as much as he needs with his mouth). If you notice that your baby is angry, there are no swallowing sounds, and your nipples are very painful, stop feeding - gently insert a finger between the baby's lips so that he can suckle from the breast, and put him down. Give yourself a minute to cool down and try to latch your baby again, paying attention to the correct positioning. Repeat this routine until you succeed. Your baby needs to learn to suck correctly, and you are here to help him with that.
• Change your feeding position. Your comfort is also important - the correct positioning of your body will make you feel more relaxed and make it easier for your baby to latch on. You can lie on your right side if you are feeding with your right breast, and if you are feeding with your left breast - on your left side. This is a very natural and comfortable position, in which you can additionally support yourself with pillows or a blanket, placing them under your head. Another option is the cradle position , in which you sit and hold your baby in your arms. If you decide to do this, remember to provide good support for your back and arms. Place a stable pillow or a special "croissant" under your baby for feeding. If both of these positions are difficult for you, try the semi-recumbent position - i.e. on your back, placing the baby sideways on your exposed breasts, using the skin to skin method.
• Consult a lactation consultant. This is someone whose job it is to support you in the breastfeeding process. The fact that you decide to go to them does not mean that you have failed! As I wrote at the beginning, pain during breastfeeding is an extremely common problem, so rest assured that you are not alone. A consultant will show you how to position your baby and how to make them latch properly - even before labor, so that you are properly prepared and calm. When choosing a specialist, check if they have the right qualifications (IBCLC or CDL certification).

Breastfeeding Alternatives

You've probably heard more than once that breastfeeding is the only right solution, you've felt pressured and received "golden advice" or you've witnessed shaming towards mothers who made a conscious decision to give their child formula milk. I'd like you to take away a very important thing from this text: how you feed your little one is entirely your choice. The most important thing is for your child to gain weight and... be happy. And you too! The first months of being a mother can be tough, so if you feel that thanks to an alternative way of feeding both you and your baby will be calmer and more relaxed, don't feel guilty. A happy mother means a happy child, so it's not worth breastfeeding at the expense of your mental health, at all costs. You have the best intentions and you do what you can - that's enough :)

KPI – Breastfeeding differently

This method of feeding your baby involves expressing milk from your breast with a breast pump and feeding your baby with a bottle . The advantages of KPI are definitely relief from sore nipples, eliminating the stress of learning how to properly latch your baby and the ability to provide your baby with milk from your own breasts, full of nutrients and antibodies, without physical discomfort. This is a great option if you want your partner to take an active part in the feeding process, nurturing their emotional relationship with the baby and bonding with them .

Doctor Karolina Rasoul-Pelińska spoke about other situations in which KPI proves beneficial:

KPI is also an alternative when the mother and child are not in the same place – for example, in the case of a premature birth that stays in hospital for a long time, the mother's illness or when the mother quickly returns to professional activity. It is also recommended in the case of the child's illnesses that prevent the child from properly latching on to the breast and sucking effectively, such as cleft palates or some heart diseases.

Formula milk – a worse alternative?

No, no. Giving a baby formula milk is simply one of the existing methods of feeding – and a very common one at that. Mothers who decide to do so may, for example, have problems producing enough milk or doubts as to whether their child is really eating as much as they should . Special formula milk is also an option in the case of a child's intolerance; it is selected after consulting a doctor.

However, the reason may also be simply a woman's personal preference - without any additional explanations or the need to justify this decision. Formula milk is not a bad choice; it is a food thanks to which the baby can grow, develop and have a full belly. Doctor Karolina Rasoul-Pelińska emphasizes:

Yes, breast milk is the most valuable food for a child, but as we mentioned earlier, if the mother is unhappy, it will also affect the child's mental health. Everyone has the right to find their own balance.

Just remember to sterilize your bottles, wash your hands thoroughly, and follow the instructions on the packaging.

Bon appetit, little one. You can do it, mom! :)