Painful breastfeeding: causes and solutions

It is worth remembering that we are mammals: a woman's body is made to breastfeed her baby, which means she instinctively knows what is good for her and for her baby!

Breastfeeding is the best thing for your baby's health as well as your own, and it is a magical bond that a mother can share with her baby.
 

As a naturopath who has breastfed my 3 babies, I can only encourage breastfeeding.
 

That said, I would never pressure a mother into breastfeeding her child, as this would be entirely counterproductive. After all, everything passes into the milk — even a mother's stress!
 

For successful breastfeeding, the mother's wellbeing and good health are essential. This includes, in particular, avoiding breast and nipple pain, especially during feeds.
 

Breastfeeding should not be painful! And yet we too often hear women say they are in pain and that they stop breastfeeding because of it... Only the first few feeds can be uncomfortable, as they trigger the contraction reflex and tone the uterus, which will recover more quickly as a result. These breastfeeding-related discomforts are therefore short-lived and for a good cause!
 

You will, however, need to take care of any chapping, cracking, or other injuries that can affect your breasts. Please look after your health!

To give yourself every chance of a successful breastfeeding journey, you can start caring for your breasts even before your baby arrives. During the last month of pregnancy, massage your nipples in the shower, using a little oil if you wish. This massage will help to moisturise your chest and care for it while preparing it for breastfeeding.

There are several tips for treating breastfeeding nipple cracks.

Another discomfort to watch out for during breastfeeding is breast engorgement, which can lead to breastfeeding mastitis. The best way to avoid it is to offer both breasts at each feed and to breastfeed as often as possible. If engorgement does occur, try the breastfeeding position the wolf position: on all fours, with your breast hanging down over your baby's mouth. This position helps to drain areas of the breast that are less engaged during breastfeeding.
 

If your baby is sleeping, you can ease the discomfort by gently expressing a little milk with a breast pump or by applying warmth to your breasts (a warm shower or warm towel). Heat encourages fluid circulation — both milk and lymph — and helps relieve engorgement.
 

Finally, if engorgement does develop, there is always the well-known grandmother's remedy of the cabbage leaf compress: crush two large green cabbage leaves with a rolling pin and tuck them into your bra over each breast… Surprisingly effective! There is also the breastfeeding compress cold, which brings quick relief. 

In any case, never let breastfeeding pain become the norm — seek help and guidance! If needed, you can take a food supplement for breastfeeding women to support your milk supply, but it must be well chosen and properly dosed to avoid making engorgement worse. 

Talk to your healthcare professionals (your gynaecologist, midwife or a lactation consultant), breastfeeding should remain a moment of pleasure and closeness with your baby. There is no such thing as "inevitability": every pain has a solution and can be relieved with the right advice — breastfeeding is not meant to be a struggle!
 

Persistent breastfeeding pain may be due to the development of thrush (candidiasis), in which case antifungal treatment will be necessary. Do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional if your baby has white patches in their mouth, if your nipples are bright pink and painful, or if you experience burning and itching.
 

In short, stay calm, take care of yourself and your health, and ask for help when you need it! Breastfeeding should be nothing but a pleasure — an intense and precious moment with your baby!