How to Treat Painful Breast While Breastfeeding!

Last reviewed: November 6, 2026. Checked against current guidance from the NHS, La Leche League Canada and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (as summarized by UCSF Health).

One common issue that many mothers face is pain in their breasts. This can be quite frustrating and discouraging. Today, we will discuss some of the most common causes of breast pain while breastfeeding and provide tips on how to treat it.

We hope that this information will help make the breastfeeding experience a little bit easier for you!

How to Treat Painful Breast While Breastfeeding

Apply An Ointment:

A lanolin-based ointment can be applied to your nipples after each feeding. This will help soothe and protect your nipples from further irritation. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before applying the ointment, and apply it sparingly, as too much can make nursing uncomfortable for both you and your baby.

Purified lanolin made for breastfeeding usually doesn’t need to be wiped off before you feed your baby. If you use any other cream, check the label or ask your pharmacist.

Use Soothing Packs

If you’re experiencing pain while breastfeeding, try using soothing packs. To make a soothing pack, simply wet a clean cloth with warm water and place it on your breast for a few minutes before a feed.

You can also purchase ready-made packs at most pharmacies. It’s important to make sure the pack is not too hot, as this can damage your skin. A little warmth before feeding can help milk flow and encourage letdowns. Use heat sparingly, though. Too much heat can make swelling worse.

Let Your Nipples Air Out After Breastfeeding 

There’s nothing quite like the relief of taking your bra off at the end of a long day. And while you may want to keep your breasts covered up if they’re sore from breastfeeding, that’s actually not the best thing for you to do. It’s important to let your nipples air out after breastfeeding, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will help to keep them dry and free from bacteria.

Apply Cold Compress

If you are experiencing pain in your breasts while breastfeeding, one of the best things you can do is apply a cold compress. This will help to soothe the pain and reduce any inflammation and swelling. You can use a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel or a cold, damp cloth.

Apply the compress for 10-20 minutes at a time, as needed, for example after feeds. It is important to make sure that the compress is not too cold, as this could damage your skin. Always wrap ice in a cloth.

Proper Latching is Important

One of the most important things you can do to prevent and treat painful breast while breastfeeding is to make sure your baby is properly latched on.

An incorrect latch can cause a number of problems, including pain for you and poor milk transfer for your baby.

To ensure a good latch:

• Bring your baby to your breast rather than bringing your breast to your baby. Hold your baby’s whole body close to you.
• Line your baby’s nose up with your nipple. Let their head tilt back slightly, and wait until their mouth is wide open before latching on.
• Let their chin touch your breast first. Their chin should press into your breast, with their nose free.
• As your baby latches on, their lower lip should be rolled outwards, and their cheeks should look full and rounded. You should see more of your areola (the dark area around your nipple) above their top lip than below their bottom lip.
• A clicking sound or dimpled cheeks can mean a shallow latch. If you hear clicking or feel pain, gently break the suction with a clean finger and try again.

If you’re having trouble achieving a good latch, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a lactation consultant.

Make Sure Both You and Your Baby Are Comfortable With The Breastfeeding Position

Choose a position that you and your baby are both comfortable with. This will help to minimize any discomfort that you may feel while breastfeeding. You may need to experiment with different positions until you find one that works well for both of you. Read here: Best Upright Breastfeeding Positions.

Some common positions include the cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, football hold, and side-lying position.

There are a number of devices that can help to support your breasts while you are breastfeeding. These can include nursing bras, breast shells, and nipple shields.

Nursing bras can help to lift your breasts and provide support. Breast shells can be worn inside your bra and help to protect sore nipples from rubbing on your clothes. Nipple shields are sometimes used for flat or inverted nipples or latch problems, but it’s best to use them with help from a lactation consultant.

A support pillow can help take some of the strain off your back and arms while you are breastfeeding. Use it to bring your baby up to the level of your breast, so you don’t have to lean forward.

Use A Breast Shield

When your nipples are sore, cracked, or bleeding, a nipple shield (sometimes called a breast shield) may help you keep breastfeeding while they heal. Nipple shields are thin, flexible silicone covers that you place over your nipple during a feed. They can protect your nipple from friction.

A nipple shield can reduce how much milk your baby gets, so use one with guidance from a lactation consultant. Watch your baby’s wet and dirty diapers and weight, and work on fixing the latch, which is usually the cause of sore nipples.

Wear Loose and Comfortable Clothing

Wear a supportive nursing bra that fits well and isn’t too tight. If your breasts are engorged, a brief warm compress or warm shower before nursing may help the milk flow. It may also help to express a little milk by hand before putting the baby to the breast. Feed your baby often, following their cues.

Take a Pain Reliever

If you have pain in your breast while breastfeeding, a pain reliever can help. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (paracetamol) are generally considered safe while breastfeeding. Don’t take aspirin. Follow the dose on the package and consult your doctor or pharmacist first in order to make sure any medicine is safe for breastfeeding.

You can find this information on the packaging or by asking your doctor. It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids and rest.

Massage Your Breast

If you’re still experiencing pain, very gentle breast massage may help. Use light, feather-like strokes over the skin, moving toward your armpit. This can help move fluid and ease swelling.

Avoid deep or firm massage and vibrating massagers, as these can make inflammation worse. Don’t press hard on any areas that are sore or inflamed.

• Be Gentle
• Make Sure Your Hands Are Clean
• Use A Warm Cloth
• Ask a lactation consultant for massage techniques

Talk To Your Doctor

If you’re experiencing pain while breastfeeding, the first person you should talk to is your doctor. They can help rule out any potential causes of your pain and offer suggestions for how to best treat it.

It’s also important to let your doctor know if the pain is impacting your ability to breastfeed or causing you any other discomfort. Call your doctor if part of your breast is hot, red and swollen and you feel feverish or have flu-like symptoms, if a lump doesn’t go away, or if symptoms don’t improve within 12 to 24 hours of home care. These can be signs of mastitis, which may need antibiotics. You can usually keep breastfeeding with mastitis.

This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Always contact your pediatrician with questions about your baby’s health.