Home Remedies for Sore Nipples

Causes and Natural Treatment of Sore Nipples & Breast

Sore nipples or painful nipples are common among 80% of women in the world. Every woman goes through the pregnancy during her lifetime and especially sore nipples happen to those women who are breastfeeding their infants. Usually the new born baby feels difficulty in latching or handling the nipples so he tries to suck the milk with his full effort so this cause of having sore nipples.

There may be other reasons of sore nipples like wearing the wrong size bra, exercising without paper sports bra, injury or any kind of wound near the chest or nipple area. One and the most important cause would be the excessive dry skin which causes cracks on the nipples.

As you go through the entire process of pregnancy or in premenstrual syndrome, there must be changes in your hormone. Several other causes of sore nipples may be the health problems including the skin infection, mastitis, and thrush and breast cancer.

There are some early symptoms of sore nipples due to which you can recognize and identify the major problem in your nipples like pain, tenderness of breast, itchiness and swelling. Sometimes the condition gets severe and there may be a kind of discharge occurs such as pus or a white matter, watery fluid. Nipples are certainly the most sensitive parts of your body and it badly hurts when it goes through any discomfort.

Most of the discomforts can be thought as relieved with over the counter medicines, use of creams and ointments.  Now you can try the following natural home remedies to avoid the sore nipples as soon as possible.

1.  Breast Milk

Your breast milk is the great ointment for any kind of pain on your nipples. You can use your breast milk to heal the sore nipples, cracking, bleeding and blistered nipples. Breast milk actually contains an antibacterial properties and healing properties that help in treating the sore nipples.

• Apply few drops of breast milk on the affected area before breastfeeding the infant.

• Apply the milk again after you have done breastfeeding.

• Let it dry for some time.

• Repeat the process same for the other nipple.

• Follow this remedy daily until the soreness have been relived.

2.  Warm Compress

For soothing out the nipples, apply warm compress on the affected part of nipples. Heat passes through the compress can relief your pain with ease and comfort aid.

• Dip a cloth in warm water.

• Place it on the breasts for a couple of minutes.

• Keep it for at least 10 minutes before breastfeeding.

• Repeat this remedy several times a day until the soreness is gone.

• A warm shower or heating pad can also be used.

3.  Oil Massage

Use some massaging oils like olive, almond or coconut then massage around the nipples. It will flow the moisturizing property on your affected area and will keep it painless after some time. It will also help in reducing the cracks, tears or chapping which can cause delay of healing.

• Heat the small amount of oil in the microwave oven until it becomes warm.

• Apply the warm oil on the sore nipples then massage with gentle hands.

• Repeat the remedy several times a day.

4.  Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is very effective for that type of problems and a great way to treat the sore nipples fast. Aloe vera has natural healing powers and pain relieving properties.

• Cut and open the aloe vera leaf then extract the gel from the leaf.

• Apply the fresh gel on the sore nipples then leave it to dry on its own.

• Clean the area using the cotton dipped in lukewarm water then pet dry with a soft towel.

• Repeat several times a day for about three to four hours.

5.  Basil Leaves

Basil leaves also contains the same healing properties like aloe vera and help in curing the many types of skin problems and so the sore nipples. Basil leaf is a herb the speeds up the healing process. It will make your nipples relief from dryness, cracks, pain and even bleeding.

• Take handful of basil leaves, wash them then grind them into a paste.

• Apply the paste on the nipples then allow it to dry properly.

• Wash out the paste before feeding your baby.

• Follow this remedy three to five times daily for a week.

6.  Ice

Ice make you feel the cool sensation on the sore nipples caused by breastfeeding. It will reduce the temporary pain in your nipples by massaging it in the form of a cube. The cooling effect of ice will help in numb the tender area.

• Take few cubes of ice and wrap then in a towel.

• Place the towel on the affect part for a couple of minutes.

• Repeat the procedure few times a day between feedings until you feel better.

7.  Calendula

Calendula can also work to make you relief from swelling and pain in nipples. Calendula has antibacterial properties through which it can help in healing the pain and reduce the risk of infection.

• Take two calendula flowers and crush them into a paste.

• Apply this paste on the affected area then make it dry.

• You have an option to mix the equal amounts of calendula oil and olive oil in a bowl then apply on the sore nipples.

• You can also apply calendula ointment.

• Follow this remedy three times daily.

• Clean the area with lukewarm water before feeding the baby.

8.  Tea Tree Oil

It has antifungal and antiseptic properties as well. It can help in treating the sore nipples and shorten the time duration of healing. It will also reduce the risk of other harmful conditions related to sore nipples.

• Add two drops of tea tree oil to a glass of lukewarm water.

• Now dip a soft cotton cloth in this liquid and dab gently on to the affected area.

• Leave it to dry then rinse it off with lukewarm water.

• Repeat the procedure few times a day.

• Another option is to mix a drop of pure tea tree oil with one tbsp. of coconut oil or olive oil. Apply it on the sore nipples then rinse the area with lukewarm water.

9.  Chamomile

Chamomile has a great relieving property from the discomforts related to sore nipples. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions due to which it can easily treat the healing process.

• Steep two tea bags of chamomile in hot water for 10 minutes.

• Remove the tea bags then squeeze out the remaining water.

• Apply the moist tea bags on the nipples of the breast for few minutes.

• Wash the area with lukewarm water before breastfeeding.

• Chamomile can also be used for drinking to heal the pain.

10.   Vitamin C

For making your breast healthy, you must have a desired amount of vitamin C in your body. You should eat the foods rich in vitamin C. It helps to heal the damaging skin tissues and prevent infection effectively.

• Include foods in your diet like oranges, limes, lemons, kiwis, guavas. Papaya, strawberries, kale, mustard greens, broccoli and parsley to intake the vitamin C in a good amount.

• You can also take supplement of vitamin C after consulting a doctor.

Additional Tips

• Avoid soap, alcohol or petroleum-based products to wash your nipples.

• Air should be reach onto your nipples.

• Never pull away when breastfeeding your baby.

• Feed your baby frequently to avoid biting from your baby harden on the nipples.

• Try to feed your baby on both breasts at each feeding.

• During breastfeeding, change your position to avoid constant pressure on the area.

• Make sure your baby is latching and sucking the milk properly.

• The jaws of the baby should exert pressure on the least tender spots during breastfeeding.

• Put off your bra for a while after breastfeeding.

• Remember not to wear bra that is too tight.

• For protecting your nipples from rubbing or friction, use dome-shaped plastic breast shells.

• Try to keep the breast pads dry if using and also change them often.

• Wear a fitted bra while exercising.