Home Remedies for Sore Nipples

Sore nipples and breasts are a very common occurrence, especially during the course of breastfeeding a newborn. While a number of people will say that the best treatment for sore nipples is prevention, they do not really mean that you stop breastfeeding your baby completely. What they essentially mean is that you learn to latch your baby onto your breast properly right from the beginning. The two main causes of sore nipples as a result of breastfeeding is if the baby is not positioned correctly and latched properly or if the baby is not sucking properly. In most cases, it will be a combination of these factors that causes the problem. Babies will generally learn to suck properly a little down the line, but the amount of pain and discomfort the mother experiences up until then can be quite considerable. A fungal infection is also likely to develop and the pain it causes will usually go on throughout the feed and may even tend to continue after the feed is over. Approach a trained nurse at your local maternity hospital in order to get step by step instructions on the best technique in breastfeeding in order to prevent the worsening of the condition. Severe cases of sore nipples may even tend to make a mother avoid breastfeeding her child – obviously not the best solution to the problem.

Given the fact that there are a number of cases of sore nipples, a number of simple home remedies have been developed all over the world in order to reduce the amount of discomfort experienced by the mother. Surprisingly, breast milk is considered to be one of the most effective treatment options for sore nipples. Apply a small amount of the milk on the nipple and allow it to dry. Performing this on a regular basis will help considerably. You could also try the application of warm tea bags in order to subsidize the pain and help treat the soreness. Another option would be to soak half a cup of regular barley and keep it overnight. You should then strain the solution and dab it over the nipples for about 15 minutes prior to breastfeeding your baby as well as after. You could also try applying some hot towels over the nipples for a period of 15 minutes before you breastfeed your child. Avoid washing your nipples with soap when they are sore as they have a drying effect on the area.