ACT H Cracked Nipples FactSheet 2018-V1

Breastfeeding & Your Baby
CRACKED & SORE

NIPPLES
Breastfeeding should not

be painful. If your nipple
is sore, or you notice it is
squashed, pale, ridged
or flattened after a feed,
the most likely cause is
incorrect latch to the breast.
Sometimes the skin on the
nipple becomes so red and
inflamed that it breaks. This
is known as a grazed nipple
or cracked nipple.
What causes cracked or
sore nipples?
• Incorrect breastfeeding latch
• Dermatitis of the nipple
• Infection or thrush of the nipple What should I do if I think my
• Milk plugs (white spots). nipple has cracked?
• Infant with a tongue tie
• Many of the previous tips are also useful to help heal a
sore or cracked nipple.
How do I prevent getting • Seek professional advice for observation of a
a cracked nipple? breastfeed.
• If it is too painful to feed you will need to express your
• Correct positioning and latch of the baby to the nipple
breast milk and giving it to your baby with a cup or
(see Positioning for Breastfeeding fact sheet).
bottle and seek professional advice.
• Feed your baby when they are ready, looking for
• Use a nipple shield when breastfeeding
early feeding cues such as - opening and closing their
mouth, sucking on hands, crying etc. • Apply a small amount of purified lanolin after each
breastfeed.
• Make sure suckling remains comfortable during the
whole feed. Suckling should not be painful. • Express a small amount of breast milk and apply to
your nipples following a feed.
• To take your baby off the breast, break the suction
with your finger at the corner of their mouth and put • Use nipple protectors or breast shells from your
your finger over the nipple as they come off. pharmacy to protect tender nipples from clothing.
• Leave your bra off and allow your nipples to air after • If healing is slow or feeding continues to be painful
feeds. please see your health professional.
• Avoid contact with nipple-damaging and drying agents
(soaps, shampoos and detergent residue in clothes).
• If you are using breast pads, keep them dry and
change them often.
© Australian Capital Territory, Canberra | www.health.act.gov.au | Enquiries: Canberra 13ACT1 or 132281

How do I treat nipple pain?
• Start the feed on the least sore side.
• Apply a warm water compress over your nipple after a
feed until pain subsides, then apply breast milk or a small
amount of purified lanolin to the nipple.
• Take oral analgesia such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Monitor breasts for lumpy areas and redness that may
indicate the development of mastitis. If you suspect
or develop mastitis you should seek medical advice.
What is a milk blister or

white spot?
• Occasionally a mother may notice a white spot on her
sore nipple. This may be milk in a duct under a very
fine layer of skin that has grown over a nipple pore.
These are also called ‘blebs’.
What should I do if I notice this?

• Apply moist heat to the affected area prior to
breastfeeding.
• A cotton ball soaked with olive oil can be used instead
of a warm compress to soften skin.
• Breastfeed or use a breast pump following heat
treatment.
• If the white spot is still there you may need medical
assistance to remove skin from the duct.
• An oral supplement called lecithin has been found to
be helpful if recurrent milk plugs occur.
REFERENCES
How can I find out more Australian Breastfeeding Association. (2005). Breast and Nipple Care,
Australian Breastfeeding Association.
information
Brodribb, W. (2004). Breastfeeding Management in Australia: Mothers Direct
1. PHONE Riordan, J., & Wambach, K. (2010).

Breastfeeding and Human Lactation (4th ed.).
Maternal and Child Health service by calling London: Jones and Bartlett.
Community Health Intake (CHI) 6207 9977 The Royal Women’s. (2008). Mastitis Retrieved 19 October, 2001
Pregnancy Birth & Baby 1800 882 436 www.thewomens.org.au/Mastitis
Rennie, A. M., Cowie, J., Hindin, P. K., & Jewell, S. (2009). The
Australian Breastfeeding Association Management of Nipple Pain and/or Trauma Associated with
1800 Mum 2 Mum or 1800 686 268 Breastfeeding. Australian Nursing Journal, 17(2), 32-35.
2. ATTEND
Accessibility
‘Early Days’ Group
(infants up to 3 months of age) for assessment and If you have difficulty reading a standard printed
ongoing breastfeeding information and support. document and would like an alternative format, please
phone 13 22 81.
Contact Community Health Intake (CHI) If English is not your first language and you need
for locations and times. the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS),
please call 13 14 50.
3. VISIT For further accessibility information, visit:

www.health.act.gov.au/accessibility
ACT Government Health Directorate website: www.health.act.gov.au | Phone: 132281
www.health.act.gov.au/breastfeeding © Australian Capital Territory, Canberra July 2018
© Australian Capital Territory, Canberra | www.health.act.gov.au | Enquiries: Canberra 13ACT1 or 132281

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Breastfeeding & Your Baby

CRACKED & SORE

Breastfeeding should not

© Australian Capital Territory, Canberra | www.health.act.gov.au | Enquiries: Canberra 13ACT1 or 132281

What is a milk blister or

What should I do if I notice this?

1. PHONE Riordan, J., & Wambach, K. (2010).

3. VISIT For further accessibility information, visit:

© Australian Capital Territory, Canberra | www.health.act.gov.au | Enquiries: Canberra 13ACT1 or 132281

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