A common cause of sore nipples during breastfeeding is a poor level of latch on by the baby. This may be due to tight muscles because you are not allowing him to do this on his own, perhaps you are holding him in a position that does not allow him to latch as much as he would like to, or perhaps it is a temporary problem caused by the medication used in labor. A sore nipple can also be caused by the rise of the breast, when the breast becomes too full for the baby to latch on, and even if he does, the latch may be very shallow. If the problem is the way your baby latches, you’re likely to see a noticeable change in the shape of the nipple after he spits it out – it may look wrinkled, have a white mark, or be flat on one side. Nipple blistering, mastitis, short tongue tie, and thrush can all lead to sore nipples. Less common causes of sore nipples include skin conditions like eczema, and unlike infant articulation problems, these unpleasant skin conditions can cause sore nipples even if your nipples aren’t deformed or flattened when you spit them out of your baby’s mouth. If your nipples are deformed, try to get your baby to correct the problem on his or her own by using a semi-reclining breastfeeding position. Perhaps you can make a day or half a day of it in bed so that your baby can practice latched breasts in a relaxed state. If your nipple is still deformed, look at the tongue tie under your baby’s tongue. Here are some tips to ease sore nipples. Try squeezing a little milk out of your hand after feeding and letting it air dry on your nipple. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of your milk will heal not only wounds on your nipples, but also skin and even eye infections. Pure lanolin is to nipples what lip balm is to lips. It helps keep the cells themselves moisturized and intact. A healthy nipple doesn’t need to be oiled, but if you have a cracked nipple or a minor hand injury, a thin layer of pure lanolin will keep the newly formed cells moisturized, lubricate the damaged area, and connect the cracks as quickly as possible. This method of healing by moisturizing the wound is quite effective, only if you deal with the cause of the pain first. Injuries on the nipple, like any skin wound, are potential openings for bacterial invasion and need to be kept clean. There is no need to clean healthy nipples at all. However, it makes sense to wash damaged nipples several times a day with mild soap and water. Hydrogel pads are designed to feel cool and comfortable on the nipple and won’t stick to the wound, maintaining the moisture balance of the nipple while protecting it from impact or baby’s kicks. Over-the-counter antibiotic creams adhere better than creams and don’t cause irritation while protecting your breasts from infection. If you use them two or three times a day after feeding, applying an imperceptible amount of cream each time, they are absorbed by the time your baby feeds again and don’t have to be washed at all. One way to keep the ointment on your nipple to keep it moist and promote healing is to put a safety film over your nipple after applying the ointment. The hard plastic round shields of nipple protectors were originally designed to help flat or inverted nipples stick out, a role that has now been replaced by newer pumping devices. These shields can act as “armor” if your nipples are very sore, but they can often trap outside moisture and slow healing. Even if you like to use nipple shields, don’t wear them at night because they can slip out of place and cause further damage to your nipples. Nipple protectors should be washed and dried frequently to ensure that they do not harbor bacteria. You can use them while breastfeeding to prevent your baby from kicking your sore nipples, but to speed up healing, don’t wear them if possible.