4 Ways to Reduce Nipple Pain When Pumping
If you’re a mom who’s breastfeeding, you may have to pump from time to time. Whether it’s to relieve engorgement, build up a stash for when you’re away from baby, or just for some much-needed break, pumping can be a lifesaver. But if you’re not careful, it can also lead to nipple pain.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to reduce the amount of pain you experience when pumping. In this blog post, we’ll share four of them with you.
Make Sure Your Flanges Fit Properly
If your flanges don’t fit well, they can cause friction and pain. The best way to ensure that your flanges fit is to get fitted by a lactation consultant. They’ll measure your nipples and give you the right size flanges to use. You may also need to experiment with different types of flanges until you find the ones that work best for you.
Use Lanolin
Lanolin cream is a thick, greasy cream that helps protect your nipples from irritation. Apply it before and after each pumping session to help reduce pain. Always be sure to purchase an organic and scent-free lanolin cream, like this one.
Invest in Silverettes
Silverettes have a great reputation for helping ease nipple pain. Silverettes are silver nipple shields that you wear in between pumping sessions. Not only do they keep your sore or cracked nipples from sticking to the cotton of your nursing bra, but they also have an antibacterial property that aids in healing. A big plus is that the silverettes allow any breast milk that you leak between pumps to stay on your nipple, furthering any healing they made need. It’s like a breastmilk bath for your nipples! You can find a set of silverettes here.
Pump in Shorter Sessions
If you try to pump for too long at once, your nipples will become sore and irritated. To avoid this, pump in short bursts of 5-10 minutes at a time and take breaks in between each session. This will help keep your nipples from getting too sore.
Pumping doesn’t have to be painful. By following these four tips, you can reduce the amount of pain you experience when pumping and make it a more pleasant experience overall. Do you have any other tips for reducing nipple pain when pumping? Share them with us in the comments below!
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