How to relieve sore nipples, plugged ducts, engorgement, and more — and some products that can help. 

Setting a strong feeding foundation in the early days means taking care of your breasts and addressing issues when they arise. Not only will this make feeding more comfortable, it will help you maintain your supply and set you up for long-term feeding success.

But breast care is easier said than done! There’s no way around it — as you establish your supply, conditions like engorgement, breast and nipple pain, and plugged ducts are all pretty common. Chalk it up to feeding around the clock and getting used to your baby’s latch. 

The good news is that there are ways to both prevent and treat these concerns. So we sat down with our LC, Brie, a member of the team at our partner SimpliFed, to chat about all things breast care and comfort. Read on for her tips!

Q: Is any amount of nipple pain normal?
A. In the first few weeks, it’s normal for your nipples to feel tender, or to feel light tugging (like gently pulling the skin at the back of your hand!) when you begin pumping or feeding. This should resolve within a minute and should never hurt.

Q. What helps cracked nipples? Do silver cups actually work?
A. When nipples are cracked, avoid gel pads or balms containing the ingredient lanolin. Stick to silver cups – they create a naturally healing anti-bacterial environment and work without any creams.

 

Q: Will pumping hurt my nipples?
A: A pump that doesn't fit or isn't properly aligned (your nipple should be centered in the flange) may cause rubbing or pulling, leading to pain. Check your positioning and measure your nipples to find the right flange/insert size!

 

Q: How do I know if I have a plugged duct?
A: Look out for a tiny lump — this is the swelling around your milk duct that slows the flow of milk. The lumps are usually the size of a pea (or a bit bigger), firm and lumpy, and painful or sore to the touch. They might also be red in color. 

 

Q: Are plugged ducts caused by going too long in-between feedings?
A: Skipping feedings or pumping sessions (or going too long in-between them) can definitely be a cause. A poor latch can also lead to plugged ducts, since it means that the baby isn’t draining your breast completely. 

 

Q: What’s the best way to treat a plugged duct? 
A: Keep it cold! Applying heat to your breasts will likely make your symptoms worse — you’ll want to use an ice pack every 30 minutes or so, leaving the ice on for about 10 minutes at a time. 

 

Q: Should I stop pumping or feeding if I have a plugged duct? 
A: Definitely not. Try to stick to the same routine you’ve been following and feed every 2-3 hours (or however often your baby needs to eat). Don’t overfeed or over-massage to try and “break up” the plug — that could just make it worse. 

 

Q: Are leaky breasts normal? Do they mean I have an oversupply? 
A: As your breasts figure out how much milk to make, they will probably leak — and this likely has nothing to do with oversupply. Surges in your prolactin (aka the body’s milk-making hormone) will likely settle after ~6 weeks, leading to less leaking.

 

Q: Do I need to pump or feed when my breasts leak? 
A: If your baby’s ready to eat, you can! If not, you can pump or hand-express milk to help relieve any discomfort, or simply use a breast pad or catch cup until it’s time to feed again.

 

Have more questions about taking care of your breasts and relieving pain and discomfort in the early days of feeding?

Follow us @willowpump on Instagram for more guidance from our LCs and keep an eye out for more from our “Ask an LC” series.