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Its pretty unfair thatbreastfeedingcan take such a toll on your nipples.
JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images
This body part was designed to achieve the singular goal of feeding tiny humans, after all.
In an ideal world, breastfeeding would be simple, or at least notpainful.
Unfortunately, for lots of women it can be the exact opposite.
But there may be some roadblocks along the way.
Period., tells SELF.
Here are a few nipple changes you might experience while breastfeeding.
There are various reasons why this occurs, one of which is bad breastfeeding positioning.
Having your baby fully facing your breast with their lips pursed around your areola like a fish is optimal.
A bad latch can make it feel like your baby is pinching or biting your nipplenot fun.
This is most common when a bad latch creates too much pressure on your nipple.
Sure, your nipples may have always been sensitive to the touch.
This is usually temporary, though.
Nipples with time will toughen up and become less sensitive, Dr. Ross says.
Treatment varies, but it ultimately depends on what caused the blister in the first place.
Call your doctor if you experience these symptoms, since youll need antifungal medication to clear up aninfection.
Its also a good idea to avoid trapping moisture around your breasts and accidentally promoting a yeast infection.
Those Montgomery glands may become even more prominent duringpregnancyand breastfeeding.
The working theory is that these secretions may draw your baby to your breast, OConnor says.
The boost in moisture can also help to prevent the dryness that leads to sore nipples.
It could be that the moisture, your soap, or your shampoo is drying them out.
When you wean your baby, your milk-swollen breasts typically shrink back down.
The fat loss can make everything, including your nipples, settle lower than it did before.
