Everything you need to know about breastfeeding cracks

Choosing to breastfeed your baby can be difficult for new mothers to make, implement, and maintain in the long term. In addition to maternity professionals who may be cautious and the baby who may struggle to get enough milk, cracked nipples are a real obstacle to breastfeeding . These cracks in the nipple(s) generally appear at the very beginning of breastfeeding. Painful, they make breastfeeding unpleasant, and some mothers are forced to stop breastfeeding because of these cracks. Diagnosis, prevention, treatment, testimonials: in this article, you will learn everything about cracked nipples.

Breast cracks, what are they?

Breast cracks are, as their name suggests, small cracks, similar to chapped skin and small red streaks, that form on the nipple(s). A crack can appear at the base, on the sides, or on the face of the nipple. They usually occur at the beginning of breastfeeding and are caused by the baby being in an incorrect position while feeding. The cracks can be more or less deep, to the point that they are initially invisible. These lesions are painful and often cause bleeding, making breastfeeding particularly unpleasant. Faced with breast cracks and the associated pain, new mothers may be forced to stop breastfeeding.

How to recognize breastfeeding cracks?

Breast fissures can take time to develop. That's why it's important to recognize them at their earliest signs so you can anticipate them and prevent them from getting so bad that you have to stop breastfeeding.

The warning signs

Cracked nipples may not have any visible lesions at first, but the first warning sign of a crack developing is sore nipples during feedings . If you experience this, change your baby's position to modify their latch and don't hesitate to talk to your healthcare professional who can advise you on a different position to adopt.

Breastfeeding cracks

Gradually, the breastfeeding cracks deepen. The skin cracks. The cracks appear as chapped skin and small red streaks all around the nipple.

Differences between cracked nipples and other breastfeeding problems

In addition to cracked nipples, two other breast conditions commonly occur during breastfeeding: breast engorgement and mastitis . These two conditions usually do not affect the nipples.

Breast engorgement

When the breasts are too full of milk (because the baby is not pumping enough or because only one breast has been fed), it is called breast engorgement. The breasts feel heavy, painful, and difficult to empty completely. This condition does not affect the nipples.

Mastitis or sore breasts

Mastitis is a breast infection that usually appears within six weeks of giving birth but can occur at other times in a woman's life. It causes painful inflammation of one or both breasts, redness, and sometimes fever, but does not affect the nipples. Like any infection, mastitis can be serious and requires prompt medical attention.

How to prevent cracked nipples?

As we mentioned earlier, cracked nipples are usually caused by poor positioning of the baby during breastfeeding or by a problem with the baby's sucking . At the same time, breastfeeding accessories can help prevent them and better protect you.

How to position your baby correctly while breastfeeding

A bad position of your baby during breastfeeding can be the cause of the appearance of cracked nipples in the first month of breastfeeding, when you do not yet know how to do it properly (this is normal 🫶) and your baby is very demanding.

Locating the crack can help correct your baby's positioning while breastfeeding. If the crack appears on the top of the nipple, it means it's too low in relation to the breast. Conversely, if the crack is located at the bottom of the nipple, your baby is positioned too high. Finally, the appearance of a crack in the center of your nipple is often linked to the fact that your baby isn't latching on enough and is crushing your nipple.

To help you position your baby while breastfeeding and thus prevent cracked nipples, start by reading our article on different breastfeeding positions . You can also ask for advice from healthcare professionals at the maternity ward or the midwife who is treating you. Finally, it is also possible to call on a breastfeeding coach who will offer you personalized support.

Check your baby's suction

The second reason that can explain the gradual formation of breastfeeding cracks is poor sucking by your baby, unrelated to his position during breastfeeding. A stiff neck, a lack of milk (read our article on foods that promote breastfeeding ), a tongue tie that is too short, a labial frenulum that is too thick and tight... these different elements can restrict or even prevent the movements necessary for good sucking.

This situation is usually identified at the maternity ward. However, if you feel that your baby is having difficulty breastfeeding, regardless of the breastfeeding positions offered, and that you are in pain, it is important to speak to a doctor or your midwife. They will be able to make a diagnosis and refer you to specialized health professionals, including an ENT specialist.

How to use breastfeeding accessories correctly

Breastfeeding accessories have grown as more women have begun to choose breastfeeding again . The goal of these accessories? To simplify your life and promote a beautiful experience so that breastfeeding is a pleasure.

Apply nursing shells to limit friction

Nursing shells are small shells placed on your nipples at the end of a breastfeeding session. They provide an intense cooling sensation that instantly relieves any discomfort that may arise. The shells can then be left in contact with your breasts to protect you from chafing from your underwear.

🌈 On our e-shop, we have selected breastfeeding shells from the Hinamoon brand . They have the particularity of being polished in France by a craftsman specializing in mother-of-pearl.

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Wear a nursing bra to absorb excess milk

A nursing bra is a bra designed specifically for this purpose. In addition to being able to open easily at the front to facilitate your baby's access to your breast, it has absorbent pads to keep your nipples dry. While moisture from milk is in no way the cause of breastfeeding cracks, it can worsen them and lead to infection.

🌈 On our e-shop, we have selected the Smoon brand nursing bra because it has the advantage of being seamless and flexible enough to adapt to the varying size of your breasts. As a bonus, it is made from French and Italian materials and is manufactured in Tunisia.

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Using a breast pump to continue breastfeeding

A breast pump is, as its name suggests, a small device that allows you to express your milk. This is useful for storing breast milk for your baby, especially when you have to go out. It's also important for limiting breast engorgement. It can also help you continue producing milk and breastfeeding even if you take a break due to cracked nipples, as the suction of the breast pump is different from your baby's sucking motion and should not aggravate your pain.

🌈 On our e-shop, we have spotted for you the portable and wireless breast pump from the Perifit Pump brand . Discreet and effective, it slips into your bra so you can continue your activities without worrying about it. You will also love the app that will allow you to track the quantity of milk extracted by your breast pump.

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How to relieve and treat cracked nipples?

Despite your best efforts, are you experiencing cracked nipples? Are your nipples sore and breastfeeding becoming so uncomfortable that you're considering stopping? Here are our tips to help you relieve and treat cracked nipples.

🚩 As is often the case in our articles, our first piece of advice is to consult a doctor and/or your midwife about this. Other conditions can arise during breastfeeding, and it's essential to check that these are indeed cracked nipples before providing any answers.

Adopt good daily hygiene

If you suffer from breastfeeding cracks, it's absolutely essential to wash them regularly. In addition to your daily shower, during which we recommend using a very mild soap, wash with mild soap after each feeding. The goal? To preserve the wound and prevent superinfection!

Use nursing shells to relieve

Breast shells are shells that apply cold to the nipple immediately after breastfeeding if you are able to continue breastfeeding.

🌈 On our e-shop, we have selected breastfeeding shells from the Hinamoon brand . They have the particularity of being polished in France by a craftsman specializing in mother-of-pearl.

Apply a healing balm

Healing balms will help speed up the healing of your nipples. These balms can be prescribed by your doctor and can be found at the pharmacy. It's also a good idea to protect the balm with your nursing shells once applied.

Wear a nursing bra to limit infection

On a daily basis, we also recommend wearing a nursing bra. These bras are designed to facilitate breastfeeding (particularly through an easy opening at the front) but also and above all to absorb excess milk that may leak from your nipples. Again, the goal here is to avoid superinfection: when in contact with your damaged nipples, stagnant milk can cause discomfort or even lead to infection.

Using your own breast milk

Breast milk has antibacterial and healing properties that make it an effective natural remedy for cracked nipples. After each feeding, gently clean your nipples with warm water, then gently squeeze your breasts to extract a few drops of milk. Apply these drops directly to your nipples and areola, rubbing gently to distribute the milk. Then let it air dry to allow the milk to penetrate and work effectively. Repeat this process after each feeding.

Using your own breast milk

Lanolin is a natural substance derived from sheep's wool, particularly useful for soothing cracked nipples and protecting irritated nipples during breastfeeding. Using a cream made with pure lanolin provides your skin with a protective layer that keeps nipples moisturized and supple. Lanolin creates a waterproof barrier that prevents moisture loss, reducing dryness and cracking.

Slow down breastfeeding

Finally, and more generally, the best way to allow your breastfeeding cracks to heal is to slow down breastfeeding your child. Indeed, with each new breastfeeding session, the cracks deepen. If only one of your breasts suffers from cracks, let your child nurse on the healthy breast and express your milk with a breast pump to limit pain and avoid breast engorgement. If both of your breasts suffer from cracks, you can use a breast pump and feed your child with your breast milk until the cracks diminish.

Breastfeeding cracks: mothers' experiences

Testimony of Eden, breastfeeding mother and osteopath

• When did you realize you had breastfeeding cracks?

I realized it when I left the maternity ward when I saw that the pain that could occur during the first few days of breastfeeding didn't go away...

• What were the first signs that something was wrong with breastfeeding?

I had very, very severe pain in my left breast. To the point that I subconsciously dreaded breastfeeding on the left. Even my daughter was afraid to take the breast because she could feel that I was in pain and so she would suckle with her lips, which increased my pain even more.

• Can you describe the pain you felt and how it affected your breastfeeding experience?

I felt like my daughter was biting me even though she had no teeth... I wanted to wean my daughter and stop breastfeeding but that didn't fit into my breastfeeding plan so I worked on myself to find a solution for me as well as for my daughter.

• What strategies did you first try to relieve cracks at home?

I started with Lanolin to moisturize as much as possible, express my milk so that my nipple has a shape that is easier for my daughter to take. I set up a breastfeeding station in our bedroom to be upright and not breastfeed in my bed (I had less pain sitting in a chair than in my bed when breastfeeding). So I tried to improve comfort to alleviate the pain.

• How did you overcome the initial difficulties and find solutions to treat the cracks?

I am fortunate to be an osteopath specializing in perinatality, pediatrics, and urogynecology, as well as a perinatal companion, so I am trained in breastfeeding. I changed my "position" to take the stance of a professional and see how I would support a mother who reports this problem to me. Yes, I am fortunate to have internal resources, I know that this is not the case for all mothers...

• Have you consulted a healthcare professional and, if so, what recommendations or advice did they give you?

I called a fellow IBCLC lactation consultant to do a much more in-depth analysis of my daughter's sucking and review the products I was using. I also consulted a fellow osteopath to confirm my diagnosis of a slightly tense frenulum in the cheek, which was increasing tension on the jaw, so she wasn't opening her mouth well on one side and she wasn't latching on to my left breast properly, which was maintaining the crack. So we set up exercises to do before each feeding (stretching and grimacing with the baby), jaw massages during quiet times, and healing creams made from Honey (Melicare®).

• What specific products or methods have been most effective in relieving pain and promoting healing of cracks?

Healing gel from Mélicare. Osteopathy for babies and mothers. Plenty of skin-to-skin contact, even at night, so that baby can nurse as soon as signs of hunger begin, thus allowing more time to position himself at the breast.

• How did your partner or those around you support you during this time?

When my daughter cried too much and I got upset because she couldn't breastfeed, even in the middle of the night, he would pace around the house until my daughter calmed down and so did I. He understood how my daughter's head should be to breastfeed on the first try, so he would come and guide her head towards my breast so that my daughter and I were as relaxed as possible. He would bring everything as close as possible (diaper, cream, water bottle, snacks, remote control, books, phone) so that I would move as little as possible once I was in a less painful position. A real support, which allowed me to continue breastfeeding. Today we are celebrating our 3 months of breastfeeding <3

• What advice would you give to other first-time moms dealing with breastfeeding cracks?

Don't stay alone; at the slightest sign, call a professional or an association (L'Or Blanc, for example, which has breastfeeding mentors and a network of trained professionals). Don't hesitate to call several professionals and ask about their training to be sure they can best support you. See if there are any mother-baby circles or breastfeeding cafes in your area where you can go, even during pregnancy, to learn about the experiences of other mothers.

• Are there any online resources or communities that have been particularly helpful for support and guidance during this time?

L'Or Blanc Association, lactation consultant and everything that can make us feel good. Overall, the well-being of the mother and baby is essential, so a co-parent, a family member, or a friend can be a valuable resource and help.