Breastfeeding can be rewarding, but it is not always comfortable, especially in the beginning. Many moms deal with soreness, engorgement, clogged ducts, latch pain, or other concerns while they and their baby are still learning.
As a Registered Nurse and IBCLC, I want moms to know that breastfeeding discomfort is common, but severe or ongoing pain is not something you should simply push through. Getting the right support early can make a big difference.
Below are seven common breastfeeding discomforts, why they may happen, and what can help you manage them while protecting your comfort and milk supply.
Key Takeaways
- Breastfeeding discomforts are common, especially in the early weeks.
- Engorgement, clogged ducts, mastitis, nipple pain, thrush, biting, and C-section discomfort can each need different support.
- A deep latch and effective milk removal can help prevent several common breastfeeding issues.
- Fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, worsening pain, or red swollen areas on the breast should be evaluated by a provider.
- An IBCLC can help assess latch, milk transfer, oral function, and feeding positions.
7 Common Breastfeeding Discomforts
Breastfeeding discomfort can happen for different reasons, from milk buildup and inflammation to latch challenges, infection, or changes in your baby’s behavior. Here are seven common issues and what may help.
1. Engorgement and Clogged Ducts
While engorgement and clogged ducts are technically two different discomforts, they are related.
What Is Engorgement?
Engorgement is one of the most common breastfeeding discomforts during the early days and weeks after birth.
Breast engorgement can refer to both breast edema and milk stasis. Edema can commonly occur when a mother has a quick and sudden increase in her milk supply or has increased volumes of intravenous (IV) fluids during labor.1,2 Both can cause increased fluid to build in the breasts, resulting in engorgement. This increased fluid can impact milk ducts, not allowing them to fully dilate and leading to milk stasis.1
Another form of engorgement results from milk stasis. Milk stasis occurs when the mother’s breasts are full of breast milk and have not been emptied as needed. Milk stasis can lead to further problems, such as plugged milk ducts and mastitis, and can impact milk supply if left untreated.1
Because of edema and milk stasis, engorgement can cause a mother’s breasts to feel tender and sometimes painful, firm, warm, and red.2 It can make breastfeeding extra challenging, especially regarding baby latching.
How To Manage Engorgement
Recommendations to manage engorgement include the following:
- Skin-to-skin contact with mother and baby to encourage breastfeeding.1
- Ensure the baby is latching correctly to adequately remove milk from the mother’s breasts.1
- Frequent removal of milk from the breast. This can be done by baby breastfeeding or expressing milk.2
- Reversed pressure softening technique. This allows the mother to help with edema around the areola, making latching for the baby easier and allowing them to remove milk adequately.1,2
- Cold pack application for 20-minute intervals.2
- Anti-inflammatory medications. Make sure to speak with your healthcare provider before taking it.2
- Lymphatic drainage. This is a technique to help move fluid and decrease edema.2
- Consultation with a lactation specialist for management guidance.
Related: Engorgement and Cracked Nipples: 11 Ways To Find Relief
What Are Clogged Ducts?
Clogged ducts, also known as plugged milk ducts or ductal narrowing, occur when factors such as breast engorgement compress and narrow milk ducts. Plugged milk ducts can present as tender lumps in the breast and can cause warmth, redness, and increased discomfort.1 If ductal narrowing is left untreated, it can lead to mastitis.2
How To Manage Clogged Ducts
Recommendations to manage clogged ducts include the following:
- Breastfeed baby on demand.1,2
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, and do not wear restricting bras or bras with underwire.1,2
- Sunflower lecithin daily can help. Reach out to your healthcare team for help with correct dosing.2
- Avoid over-pumping, as this can worsen things and cause an oversupply of breast milk.2
- Avoid deep massage; this can cause harm and injure the breast.2
Related: Clogged Milk Ducts: What You Need to Know
2. Mastitis
Just hearing the term mastitis can make you cringe. It is a breastfeeding discomfort that everyone hopes they can avoid. Mastitis can develop when ductal narrowing occurs in the breast due to inflammation, edema, and other contributing factors.2 Mastitis can present as flu-like symptoms such as fever, increased heart rate, and chills, and can cause a painful area in the breast that is red and swollen.2 Some forms of mastitis may require treatment with antibiotics.
How To Manage Mastitis
Some recommendations to manage mastitis include the following:
- Continue to breastfeed your baby. It is recommended to continue to breastfeed your baby even while managing and treating mastitis.2
- Consult with your healthcare team. They will be able to evaluate your symptoms, and they may prescribe antibiotics for bacterial mastitis.2
Related: Mastitis: The Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
3. Nipple Pain
If you’re experiencing nipple pain, one of the first things to evaluate is your baby’s latch. Many new breastfeeding mothers do not realize the importance of “properly” latching their little one to the breast. If your baby does not have a deep latch, it is common for moms to experience nipple pain and discomfort. First-time breastfeeding moms may not know what a “good latch” should look or feel like.
This is why many moms may experience nipple pain at the start of their breastfeeding journey. Learning a “good latch” can take time and practice for you and your baby, but with support and education, you can navigate this discomfort and breastfeed without nipple pain.
How To Manage Nipple Pain
Here are several recommendations for managing nipple pain:
- Work on a “good latch.” Some signs of a proper breastfeeding latch may include pain-free breastfeeding with the mother and baby being comfortable, the baby latching on with a wide mouth, and covering most of the areola, not only the nipple, the baby’s lips are flanged out on the breast, and you can visibly see or hear baby swallowing breastmilk.3
- When experiencing nipple pain, consulting with a lactation specialist is always helpful. The consultant can evaluate how your baby latches to your breast and show you the correct way to latch. Pain can start due to a shallow latch, with the baby just sucking on the nipple. They may also evaluate your little one’s suck and oral anatomy to identify contributing factors that may impact latching.1
- Find the breastfeeding position that works best for you and your baby. There are many “holds” you can try. It is also helpful to use a breastfeeding pillow to support your baby and also help you feel more comfortable and not “slouched” over.1
- If your nipples have visible cracks and trauma, take measures to treat them.1
Related: 6 Rules for a Better Breastfeeding Latch
4. Let Down Discomfort and Pain
Some women will experience discomfort or pain when they “let down.” For many who experience this, it lasts about the first month of breastfeeding.1 A mother with a strong milk ejection reflex might experience sharp pain in the breast as her milk begins flowing.1
For others, this discomfort can result from numerous reasons, such as having an oversupply of breast milk, engorgement, an infection, plugged ducts, or even an injury.4
How To Manage Let-Down Discomfort and Pain
Here are several recommendations to help you manage discomfort and pain with let-down:
- Find a comfortable, supportive, and relaxed position to breastfeed.4
- Address concerns that may be causing letdown pain.4
- Hand express a small amount of breastmilk, then latch baby.1
- Consult with a lactation specialist for guidance and support.
Related: Forceful or Overactive Let-Down: What It Looks Like and What to Do
5. Thrush or Yeast Infection
When thrush is untreated, it can spread quickly. This could even mean the yeast can spread to your nipples if your baby has untreated oral thrush.5 If you are experiencing a yeast infection on your nipples, the skin on your areola and nipple may look irritated and inflamed, and cause you pain while feeding and in between feedings.1
How To Manage Thrush
Recommendations to manage thrush or a yeast infection include the following:
- Reach out to a healthcare provider for an evaluation and treatment plan.1
- Rinse the nipple area with water before and after feeding your little one.1
- If breastfeeding is painful, express breast milk for your baby until the pain resolves; otherwise, you may continue breastfeeding.1,5
- If thrush is suspected in the baby, consult your pediatrician for a treatment plan.6
Related: Thrush: Symptoms and Remedies To Treat It
6. Baby Biting While Breastfeeding
There comes an age when your baby may start to bite while breastfeeding, and this is not only a painful discomfort but can be pretty shocking.
As your baby gets older, distractions during breastfeeding become commonplace. Any little noise or movement may catch their eye, and they do not want to miss out on the fun. This may cause them to clamp down and pull your nipple as they quickly turn one way or another.5
How To Manage a Biting Baby
Here are some recommendations on how to handle it when your baby bites:
Firmly state “Don’t bite” or “no bite.” Never yell; it may surprise you, but your baby never tries to hurt you.5,7
Remove your baby from your breast and again state, “No bite.” Return baby to the breast if still feeding; if finished, you may offer a teether to chew on.7
If the nipple experiences trauma and the skin is broken, use basic first aid and treat the wound.5
Watch your baby’s cues and anticipate when your baby is becoming distracted; remove from the breast when finished feeding.7
7. Feeding After C-Section
Having a Cesarean section is a major surgery.1 As with any major surgery, you may initially experience pain and continued discomfort at your incision site for some time. Healing from surgery, alongside taking care of your infant and breastfeeding, can feel overwhelming.
This is a great time to accept help from your support system.
How To Manage Breastfeeding After a C-Section
Here are some recommendations for how to manage breastfeeding your baby after a C-section:
- Ask for help. When first breastfeeding after delivery, you may need extra support from your significant other and your healthcare team. In addition, ask for guidance and assistance with comfort when breastfeeding.
- Find a comfortable breastfeeding position for you and your baby; the football hold is an excellent place to start.9
- Use lots of pillows for support and to protect your incision while feeding.8
- Skin-to-skin is always a good idea!
- Pain medication. Speak with your healthcare team for appropriate pain medication to help you feel comfortable after a C-section.8
Related: Tips for Breastfeeding After a C-Section
No matter which breastfeeding challenge you’re facing, early support often makes a difference.
Breastfeeding discomfort can feel stressful, especially when you are caring for a baby and trying to heal yourself. But you do not have to figure it out alone. If something feels painful, persistent, or concerning, reach out to your healthcare provider or an IBCLC for help. With the right support, many breastfeeding discomforts can improve, and feeding can start to feel more comfortable.
