CRACKED, SORE & STILL SHOWING UP — THE TRUTH ABOUT NIPPLE PAIN IN THE EARLY DAYS
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
She cried every time her baby latched. Not because her baby was doing anything wrong — but because the pain was real, and nobody had told her it could feel like this.
If you are in the early days of breastfeeding and your nipples are cracked, raw, or sore, I want you to hear this first: some initial sensitivity is normal. Significant, ongoing pain is not something you just have to endure. And there is help.
WHY NIPPLE PAIN HAPPENS
Nipple pain in the early days most commonly comes from latch mechanics. When a baby does not take enough of the areola into their mouth, the nipple gets compressed against a hard surface repeatedly — and that causes real tissue damage over time.
Other contributors include tongue tie, flat or inverted nipples, improper pump settings or flange sizing, and skin that has not yet conditioned to frequent nursing.
The good news: most of these are addressable. You do not have to push through weeks of pain hoping it gets better on its own.
WHAT HEALING LOOKS LIKE
First, we address the root cause — latch, positioning, anatomy, or equipment. Then we support the healing of the tissue between feeds. Keeping nipples moisturized and protected is a key part of recovery, which is exactly why I created Mama's Nipple Butter.
Mama's Nipple Butter is formulated to support healing between feeds with ingredients that are safe for baby and effective for mama. It is the kind of product I wish every new mom had in her bag from day one.
YOU ARE STILL SHOWING UP
The fact that you are still trying, still feeding, still showing up through the discomfort — that is not small. That is enormous. And you deserve support that meets you where you are.
Grab Mama's Nipple Butter at the link in bio. And if you need hands-on help with latch or pain, book a consultation. We will figure this out together.
With Gratitude,
Tiffani Dickerson RN IBCLC
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