Nipple Pain and Breast Changes Pile Up During Nursing

“Maybe a dumb question but curious if it’s normal or just me - LO is 2m old and my nipples are incredibly sensitive/painful when anything touches them (ie towel out of shower, sometimes the water in the shower even, bras, shirts, etc.). Is this normal? Does it eventually stop? Or should I be concerned of another issue? submitted by /u/kat_sickle [link] [comments]”

“Hey guys, I'm 10 weeks PP now, and about 2 weeks ago I discovered a painful lump close to my right nipple. I also discovered another smaller lump right next to the original this morning. Both feel smaller than a marble and are painful to touch. I believe the original lump has shrunk in size compared to when I first noticed it. I have had a fibroadenoma in the past that was removed during a breast reduction, but my concern is that I'm not breastfeeding, so I don't know what they could”

“Our son is 18 months. Over the last few months breastfeeding just before my period started getting uncomfortable. My nipple just feels weird. This week it started getting so uncomfortable even during and after my period and I have been pulling my nipple out when get breastfeeds overnight. I only breastfeed from breast as the other one stopped making milk ag after a clogged duct when he was 3 months. I didn’t want to stop breastfeeding until 2-3 years old but this sensation has me reconsidering.”

“Breastfeeding was miraculously easy for me and my baby since the beginning. Now she's 12 months old and my nipples are not okay. There's only small patch of normal color, the rest is dry, itchy and red af. I put cream on it that used to help in the past, but my daughter started to nurse soooo much during the night, that I guess it's destroying my boobs. I am considering night weaning, but I don't think I can do it, because she's still waking up up to 10 times, she's alway”

“I'm on my third breast-feeding experience and unfortunately I've got endometrit which have made my immune system weak. I have had wounds on both nipples that now are more like sores and I'm using balm and compress after each feed with some improvement now that the antibiotics are doing it's job. But I'm curious what more I can do, if anyone has any (non harmful ofc) old wife tale, diy tips or something to take care of nipple sores. Where I'm from it's lanolin that&#39”

“I don’t like the way breastfeeding feels. I don’t like that my boobs are not mine. Baby is 6 weeks old and when he’s latched I hate the feeling. My first was combo fed from 2 weeks then at 2 months was fully on formula. Washing bottles sucks but formula truly was so easy. My boobs feel flat at the end of the day. Baby is constantly fussy at night unless I give him a bottle of pumped milk. He’ll take 4 oz but I only pump about 3. He nurses every other time. I’m so tired and exhausted. I know thes”

Hi, I’m not a member of this sub or anything, just found it while googling and thought real experience was as good a place as any to ask for advice. I’m currently…

“I have a 5 week old. Right now we combo.feed due to how sore my nipples get when I breastfeed her. I have seen 2 LC's who have had very different suggestions. The first LC said her latch was good. Encouraged me to use the My brest friend pillow and do the cross cradle hold which is what I have been doing. Baby's latch is veryyyyy painful. Pain usually let's up while she feeds, but them towards the end, it feels like my nipple is being flicked over and over and it starts to hurt. This”

“Hello everyone! I have been breastfeeding my three week old since birth. Originally they had a tongue tie that was cut and has made feeding better. However, my right nipple still has this needle-like pain inside my nipple every time they suck. It is so painful and gets worse the more they feed from the right. I have no problems on the left. Is this a latch issue or something else? TIA! submitted by /u/friar_jugzzz [link] [comments]”

“My baby is newly 6 months old and just in the last day or two I've started noticing her pulling back while still latched and nursing that way. It seems like she's still getting milk but man, am I sore! I feel like we might not make it much longer breastfeeding if this is a trend that will last for more than a couple days... She takes bottles of pumped breastmilk when I'm not home and has been pulling off those and fussing a bit for my wife and our nanny. Does better when the bottle i”

“My baby is a week old and since both my nipples were with wounds from breastfeeding I decided to pump and use a bottle. I honestly didn’t know what nipple confusion is and bought a bottle that looked fine. I didn’t know that it might change his latch. The bottle has a typical narrow and long “nipple”, so my baby has started to also suck only on my nipple and not using a deep latch. I ordered a Philips Avent bottle but it arises tomorrow. Can nipple confusion or a bad latch be unlearned? I’m cryi”

“I want to start this off by saying I am definitely NOT pregnant and haven’t done literally anything since like I was like 32 weeks pregnant 🫡 Okay so now that’s out of the way nursing is feeling really pinchy again, as if LO was a newborn. Her latch looks good but it still hurts. Any idea what it could be? submitted by /u/a_blue_rose [link] [comments]”

“Very occasionally my 1 month old and I get a successful latch with no pain. Most of the time it’s still sore. It can disappear after a minute or so, but with every feed it worsens so at night especially, it feels torturous sometimes- more so if he cluster feeds and my nipples have no time to recover. I’ve been to see the hospital LC since leaving with baby. I’m part of a group chat for breastfeeding support with a knowledgable LC and I might do an online consult with her, or see the LC at the ho”

“How long did it take for your nipples to go numb, because after 4w they hurt so much even with a good latch.... submitted by /u/sleh_96 [link] [comments]”

“I knew when my milk came in my breasts would change but goddamn?! It happened so fast, swollen but normal boobs to blow up doll in a morning! It's a struggle with the pain and engorgement making it hard for little man to latch but when my husband came home we had a good laugh about how different they look (I was a b cup before pregnancy, I'd say a full DD now) Lighthearted post about body change but any advice is welcome. I'm waiting for a new pump to come in the mail cause the one w”

“What the title says. It feels like the early days all over again, but instead of chapped, sore nipples they just feel bruised. I wince every time my baby latches now. The past few days have been rough. Any advice?? submitted by /u/arixbust [link] [comments]”

“I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant with my second baby, but it doesn't feel like my boobs are preparing to breastfeed. With my first pregnancy my boobs hurt immediately and grew through my whole pregnancy. Is it normal that with my second they dont feel swollen or anything? Did anyone else feel this way but have regular milk production when baby came? submitted by /u/bbasket_kase [link] [comments]”

“Hello! I am 6.5 months postpartum and exclusively breastfeeding. The past few days, one of my breasts has randomly had a VERY sharp pain. It HURTS. It’s not the same sensation as let down - I have experienced that and it’s not at all the same. This feels like a dagger in my breast in one localized area. There is no pattern when it happens. It happens when full, when empty, when baby is crying, when baby isn’t crying…it’s just very random. Earlier today, my baby pushed down hard in the spot and i”

“My nipples have become so sensitive to touch from pumping/feeding. Now, even the disposable pads and lansinoh reusable cloth pads are uncomfortable and just make my nipples itchy. submitted by /u/ThatHearing3276 [link] [comments]”

“Just starting to notice a few on my right nipple (right at the tip - clear blister looking things that flare up right after pumping). It doesn’t hurt to pump other than the initial start (which effects both sides and just feels like mild pinching for the first minute), however the right side with the blisters is much more sensitive afterwards. I’m 5 days PP and baby is in the NICU so exclusively pumping. I think the flange size is right, and my nipple isn’t going all the way to the end of the fl”

“Okay a little backstory baby is three months on October 28th. I started out latching baby shortly after birth and latched for the first two weeks until the point my nipples we’re cracked and painful. I stopped latching because it was too painful and have been pumping since. I would randomly latch baby for a short amount of time but gave up the hope of being able to breastfeed after reaching out to my bbs pediatrician and them immediately discounting my concerns with tie issues. I had visited a l”

“Hi all reaching out for support . I am a first time mother and my baby is just 4 days old . I have always wanted to breastfeed my baby and didn’t expect it to be this hard . My baby latched on perfectly the first time itself and started to suck for long durations for about 30/45 minutes . She preferred my right nipple and this has caused it to break and crack and bleed . I have been giving her the left nipple and she has taken it but the toll of feeding has shown its effect on it as well . Now b”

“FTM here. My daughter is 6 weeks old and I have been exclusively breastfeeding in cross cradle position. About two weeks ago I noticed my nipples had started to crack and the latching was painful for the first 30 second of the feed. I was finally able to go to a lactation consultant and found out that I had her head up too high causing a bad latch. Now that I’m getting good latches again, I was told that my nipples should heal in about 2 weeks. I have been using a prescription all purpose nipple”

“I am 3 weeks postpartum to my first baby! We’ve been breastfeeding since birth but I’m not sure if his latch is deep enough. I don’t experience any pain when breastfeeding but I noticed my nipples have become sensitive to touch. When they graze on clothes, I’d say there’s a little bit of discomfort but not too much. Is this normal or is this a sign of a shallow latch? Baby is gaining weight well and has about 10-12 diapers per day. submitted by /u/Glum-Bag89 [link] [comments]”

“This is my 3rd child, i’m currently breastfeeding my 26 month old. I’ve never had any pain while breastfeeding, up until a few days ago. My daughter’s mouth randomly feels like razor blades, it’s almost unbearable. I doubt it’s her latch. It seems to be a nipple sensitivity issue. I don’t get a period while breastfeeding, so I haven’t had one yet. I know it’s still possible to get pregnant though. What are the odds i’m pregnant? Or maybe i’m about to get my period? Obviously only time will tell.”

“its towards middle of chest side and one boob really hurts. it's first time i felt this pain in these 2.5 months and its so tender that tiny movement hurts submitted by /u/Existing_Ask_7641 [link] [comments]”

“For a while, baby has been putting her hands near her mouth while nursing or taking a bottle. Over time it has evolved from kneading my boob, patting, putting hand between face and boob (around the nipple), sucking her thumb while nursing, and has now landed on grabbing a handful of boob skin and pinching with her little talons. She's not even really grabbing the "meat" of the boob, just loose skin. I tried pulling her hand away multiple times and giving her a finger to hold. She w”

“Hi all Excited to be joining the community… I have a 10 day old who I am breastfeeding - around day 5 when my milk came in I felt a large lump quite deep in my breast. It wasn’t particularly tender but was movable. My midwife said it could be a blocked milk duct so encouraged massage whilst feeding, but this made it more enflamed. I went to the GP who has referred me to the breast clinic for a mammogram to check for BC. She felt the lump and found another chickpea sized similar lump in the same”

“Hi everyone! So seven weeks into nursing and I have no latching or nipple pain. What I do have is both my breast are experiencing tenderness when I touch or press on the sides a little or on the bottom (like when you’re trying to lift them). I don’t wanna say it’s painful, just sensitive and tender. Both breast have it. no clogs. is this normal? submitted by /u/Odd-Hope-8681 [link] [comments]”

“My baby is 4 months and breastfeeding still hurts. Yes, before you ask, we’ve had her evaluated for a tongue tie (nothing) we’ve seen lactation consultants, done weighted feeds, had her latch checked numerous times at different times of day… Also - I’m fine! It’s not agonizing. Just pinchy. I just wanted to know if there are any others of you out there where breastfeeding never got painless like they say it does. My lactation consultant says sometimes that happens. submitted by /u/Su”

“Hi everyone! So six weeks into nursing and I have no latching or nipple pain. What I do have is both my breast are experiencing tenderness when I touch or press on the sides a little or on the bottom (like when you’re trying to lift them). I don’t wanna say it’s painful, just sensitive and tender. Both breast have it. no clogs. is this normal? submitted by /u/Odd-Hope-8681 [link] [comments]”

“I’m 7.5 months PP and basically done breastfeeding. I still make some milk and hand express a few times a day and my baby breastfeeds at around 4:30 am every morning. Last night I noticed a swollen red bump on my areola on the boob she nurses. Today it hurts more. I pumped this morning and took sunflower lecithin but it’s still there. I only pumped about an ounce but I’m not trying to increase my supply. Chat GPT wasn’t very helpful and asked for a picture 😂. I will of course go to the dr if I”

“I’m not sure how to explain it but I’m wondering if baby and I are just winging it breastfeeding and one day it’ll “bite” me in the butt (pun intended) when teeth are growing. Everyone warns me about teeth and how I’ll wean so fast. So for context, I don’t think I learned how to latch baby properly. I always got too flustered with a screaming baby and little hands getting in the way when he was a newborn. I could never get the textbook nose to nipple, Flipple, sandwich, taco whatever method taug”

“Hello, I'm hoping someone here can give me advice to fix this issue. My little lady (4 days old) seems to only like my right nipple/boob. My SO and I joke that it is the favorite boob, but I'm starting to get concerned. In the hospital since day one she has not had many issues latching and had taken both boobs no problem until our last night there (3 days old). She attempts to latch and seems like she wants to feed from it, but gets so frustrated that she ends up screaming and getting so”

“sometimes, I'll accidentally brush against my nipple with my hands, or I'm wearing a loose shirt that fabric will trigger this reflex? reaction? idk what youd call it. it feels like my boobs rapidly swell up, sting a little bit, and then they start leaking! What is that? Are those the vasospasms I hear about? Or is that just a really intense letdown being triggered? Super confused, and wondering if anybody else experiences this? I've experienced it with my first, and now currently wi”

“My 6mo had recently decided she needs to suck her thumb while actively nursing or taking bottles. It can get very painful bc it affects her latch as well as her tiny little razor blade fingernails. This is also on top of yanking her head to the side while latched and nearly ripping my nips off in the process. As well as kicking me in the stomach and legs (I nurse side- lying like 90% of the time), I'm genuinely surprised my lower stomach and lap aren't covered in bruises from this little”

“3 weeks PP, pumping and breastfeeding my little one. I’m hoping I just overdid it and that my boobs and nipples are sore from over pumping on too high of a setting but I really think I have thrush. My baby doesn’t seem to have any patches in his mouth though. Heading to urgent care in the morning to get checked out as the pain isn’t unbearable and I don’t have a fever so I don’t think I need to go to ER. Sitting here crying about going to the doctor for an evaluation. Im so tired of things going”

“A few nights ago I had just finished my MOTN pump session when my baby woke up. Admittedly, I should have fed her a bottle but she likes to breastfeed (and I’m still getting used to her waking in the middle of the night, she used to sleep through,) so I gave her my boob. She took a while eating, probably waiting for letdowns. But ever since then, the top of my boob feels tender and like I have a bruise. There’s no visible bruise, no lump, no sign of any infection or anything. What could this be?”

“Like holy shit is this normal? I have little tiny bruises from when she’s nursing and just absolutely pinching the ever loving shit out of my tit. It’s only on one side too. submitted by /u/PotatoCurrent4254 [link] [comments]”

“Will he grow out of this? Some background information first for context. Baby is 11 days old and he’s my first. I have seen lactation a handful of times and they said he has a small mouth and a slightly protruding down hard palette. They have given me a nipple shield to use but I really want to avoid using it if possible. I also have semi flat nipples. They will come out a little bit after he sucks for a while but they don’t come out nearly as far as some peoples so I think that’s partially why”

“I’m 3 weeks into pumping/nursing and my nipples are starting to feel it. I’ve warned my husband that my boobs are SO off limits until further notice. I have Earth Mama nipple Butter, hydrogel cooling pads, and I’m planning on getting some silverettes at some point. But damn. Ouch. submitted by /u/Thinking_of_Cheese [link] [comments]”

“Currently trying to wean my 4 month old off the nipple shield and holy shit I am in pain. The first 10-20 seconds once he latches are brutal. After that it gets better, but still painful. When I put the nipple shield back on to get a little relief, it still hurts. He latches very shallow a lot of the time when before he didn’t. Is this normal when weaning off the shield? I used to love nursing my boy but now I dread it 😭 submitted by /u/leialou2019 [link] [comments]”

“I have two kids and luckily had an easy time breastfeeding both. Never had supply issues, serious pain (after the first few days) or mastitis. I’m pregnant with my third and wondering what to expect. I know every pregnancy and PP experience is different, I’m just curious if anyone has experienced major differences in their breastfeeding with different babies. submitted by /u/Background-Abies7513 [link] [comments]”

“I breastfed my daughter for 15 months. The first few weeks were hard: latch issues, pain and insecurities. I am now 37 weeks pregnant with my son and was wondering if the second time is gonna be easier? How was it for you? submitted by /u/Lorillyth [link] [comments]”

“Or do I have exceptionally dry nipples lol? Breastfeeding parents - how do you give it? You’re supposed to give it with a feeding for the Vitamin D to absorb, right? Thanks. submitted by /u/dms2628 [link] [comments]”

“Does anyone else get extremely itchy armpits when nursing??? Is there a way to stop it from itching so badly? Also how are yall dealing with the latching and unlatching? It hurts like hell and when I stop nursing, he cries!! submitted by /u/jjazralii [link] [comments]”

“I’ve found it a bit strange that while I’m working and away from my baby, when I see a photo of her, I get the same sensation in my breasts that I would get when I was still BFing/pumping. I’m not lactating at all. It’s in both breasts and not localized. I just thought it was peculiar and wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this! submitted by /u/Cute-Dream3674 [link] [comments]”

“My 8mo latch had gotten terrible over the past month since starting teething again (already has first 2 on bottom working on 1 or 2 top). Alnost every latch is painful, and babes been sucking in his top lip more and its like sometimes babes doesn't use their tongue at all when trying to nurse and just straight sucks with teeth like a straw or something. Its so painful. I have no clue how to correct this. Help?? submitted by /u/Quick_Fox_7693 [link] [comments]”

“This hurts worse than in the beginning of breastfeed journey bc now baby’s big old head be slamming against the raw sore nips. I think she might be having a hard time starting daycare but my nips hurt so much. Am I feeding into “bad habit”? Should I just roll with it and hope it’s just a phase? submitted by /u/bzzzzzzlightyear [link] [comments]”

“I’m 8 months postpartum exclusively breastfeeding. I and noticed a small lump next to my nipple. It’s smooth, round, and soft but firm. I can only feel when it when I pinch the tissue and not when I press around. It seems to slip between my fingers so I think it’s mobile. I have an appointment next week, but just looking to see if anyone else had experienced something like this. submitted by /u/Medical-Mongoose-486 [link] [comments]”

“My baby is 3.5 months and is exclusively on breast milk. After a nursing session, my breasts ACHE painfully and feel itchy inside. I’ve recently gone back to work and am now pumping a lot. I don’t have this experience when I pump. This is my 3rd kid and didn’t have this issue with the others. Anyone have this experience? (Making an appt with lactation consultant as well) submitted by /u/HedgehogAlarming4592 [link] [comments]”

“I dont know what caused it. But I’m in extreme pain. Which feels like burning sensation and electric shock like. I tried pumping last week on apparently wrong flange size and wrong level that made my nipple look like it might have gotten hurt but I didnt feel any pain then. On weekend that same week, post breast feeding I started feeling this shooting pain that feels like travelling through my breast and also goes to the arm. i see my areola swollen and skin peeled off also could be due to wrong”

“Hi everyone. Due to mental health reasons and being an under supplier, I went from combination feeding to fully formula feeding about a month ago now. I started only latching once a day for a few days, then pumped once a day for a few days, followed by only pumping 1c every other day for about a week. I honestly got lazy and just stopped. So far, I’ve been feeling alright. I’ve noticed, though that my boobs do feel pain painful. Not an engorged type of pain, but more of a “tingling” pain if that”

“FTM, ~20 weeks pregnant. My boobs haven't really changed size at all, but my nipples are completely alien to me. They got much bigger and are covered in these new bumps (glands?) and are so sensitive and I'm having an awful time with chaffing with basically any materials, bra or no bra. I was recommended by a friend to use silverette cups but I'm allergic to silver I have a nipple balm and its ok, but doesn't seem to really help much Most of my bras currently are cotton bralettes”

“My first baby was born in February 2025. During my pregnancy I never really had super sore breasts and I didn’t notice them growing as much as my pregnant friends. Especially at the end I felt something was off comparatively, though I still had every intention of breastfeeding. I had a textbook induction at 38 weeks and 2 days for elevated BP. After baby was born, I produced essentially nothing. I was throwing everything at it - pumping 12 times a day, prescribed reglan, dripping donor milk over”

“Omg my baby clamped down on my nipple with his gums and my nipple is in agony!! I literally wince everytime my shirt touches it let alone the little hungry beast that did this in the first place 🥲 Pumping really hurts too! Any ideas how to make it feel better? 😭 submitted by /u/NoInteraction9045 [link] [comments]”

“My baby keeps rubbing her eyes with her little hands while breastfeeding on the left Side. It is only Happening in the grade hold in the Left Not the Right Side .She doesn’t really do it when she’s lying on her nursing pillow. Is this normal? Could she just be tired or overstimulated? Is there anything I can do to stop her from rubbing her eye? After a while, she usually stops doing it on her own. Has anyone else experienced this with their baby? submitted by /u/wintersdaughter [link”

“Over the last couple of days I have developed a small itchy bump (almost like a mosquito bite) on the very edge of my areola. I’m exclusively breastfeeding. It doesn’t hurt when my baby latches however it does get itchier when she’s feeding. There is no swelling around or underneath it and seemingly no extra warmth in that area. Any ideas what it might be? submitted by /u/marns33 [link] [comments]”

“I’m 5 days postpartum and breastfeeding, and the last 2 days my breasts have become SO heavy and hard, almost like rocks. My nipples also feel really hard and sensitive. I have stopped breastfeeding my baby since the last 2 days as he does not latch and have been formula feeding him. Tried putting the Lansinoh nipple cream but haven’t seen any change. I’m worried that it’s because my baby’s latch isn’t quite right. I’ve tried hand expressing, but it actually hurts, so I’m scared to keep doing it”