[toc]During or post pregnancy a lot of women tend to suffer from sore nipple woes. This can be happen because of a lot of factors. One of the most common ones is feeding the little one, which means that the skin becomes used to more of friction and movement. And if you are feeding an older child, then sometimes biting too can lead to soreness. Apart from this hormones play a role in the soreness too.
Soreness however can be treated through a lot of natural remedies, which is essential if you are feeding a baby. All of these remedies, except breast milk should be washed off before feeding. If you are experiencing soreness but not feeding the baby, then you can let the same stay too. These remedies provide instant respite and prevent soreness in the future too-
11 Effective Remedies For Sore Nipples
Breast Milk
Believe it or not, but breast milk is one of the best remedies that you can use for treating soreness of the nipples. Breast milk contains many antibodies that heal the cracks and the wounds around the area, which is a major cause of the soreness.
All that needs to be done here is apply the milk around the nipples and areola. This will ensure that soreness goes away real fast. Remember to do this every time before and after you feed the baby and you will see amazing results. There is no need to wash off this one!
Be Gentle When Bathing
A lot of women tend to use a hot bath during the post pregnancy days to get respite from pain in the back.
But remember that this hot water is only making the cracked and sore nipple issue worse. Do not apply soap on the area as it will also lead to dryness and further damage.
Ice
Ice is one of the best remedies for treating sore nipples. However, you should do this after feeding the baby because some experts believe that the cold ice may hinder the supply.
Simply take some ice and rub it on the area either directly or using a soft cotton cloth. Do this at least 3-4 times in a day to reduce swelling along with getting relief from the soreness.
Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil can be used for getting rid of the cracks and the soreness on the nipples. Basically olive oil is rich in natural moisturizing agents and helps to ease the problem of soreness.
But remember that you should not apply the oil prior to feeding the baby. Apply the oil post feeding and let it stay for at least 30 minutes. Then use lukewarm water to wash of the oil, as it can be a little harsh for your little one.
Basil Leaves
Take a handful of leaves of the holy basil or even regular basil and make a paste of the same. This paste should be applied on the affected area and let it stay for at least 30 minutes.
It should be remembered that again you need to wash the area very well before feeding, as basil is very strong and even the smell of it might stop your little one from feeding. Do this at least 3 times in a day and wash the leaves well before application.
Aloe Vera
This herb is a great remedy for nipple soreness and easily available in most homes. What you can do is take the pulp of the aloe leaves and apply the gel on the nipples and around the areolas too.
You can also store this gel in a jar and keep it in the refrigerator and use it over the next few days. But again, do wash it off before feeding the baby and make sure that gel has not gone spoilt before the next application.
Honey
Raw honey works as an anti-inflammatory agent along with providing anti bacterial properties for nipple soreness. It has been seen that women have been using this method for getting relief from nipple soreness for centuries.
Just take a bit of honey and apply on the area. Let it air dry and do not put on your bra. Once it is dry, wash off the honey because this too is detrimental for infants. Older kids (post one year) may not mind the taste.
Coconut Oil
You can also try using coconut oil for getting rid of the soreness. Basically coconut oil acts as a cooling agent and this helps the nipples to heal faster.
It moisturizes the skin around the area and also provides respite from inflammation. It will also ensure that the nipples don’t get further damaged and the cracks are filled up right.
Avocado Or Shea Butter
Though these are both natural agents, a lot of mothers are not aware that they can help in dealing with the soreness problems of nipples that one experiences during or post pregnancy.
All that you have to do here is take the paste of the either, or you can also mix it together and then apply on the nipples and the areola. It is suggested to apply the same on the areola too because the cracks may expand and are often generated from the surrounding skin. Let it stay for a while and then wash it off well.
Right Feeding Position
Often women don’t realize it that the wrong feeding position is the cause of the soreness of the nipples. In this reference, what you can do is try using a feeding pillow when feeding the baby while sitting.
These pillows come in the shape of a ‘C’ and provide the right height for the baby to suck. If you are holding the baby too up or down, then they may have trouble sucking and getting the right grip, which too can lead to soreness.
Switch Sides
A lot of women tend to feed from just one side because the nipple on the other end is sore. But this will only make the soreness worse. What you should do here is feed the baby more often and keep switching sides. What happens here is not using the nipple will make that breast dry up and thus lead to lack of milk.
