Is Breastfeeding Supposed to Hurt at First?
Wondering if breastfeeding is supposed to hurt? Learn what can feel normal at the start of a feed, when pain needs a closer look, and where to get practical help.
Reviewed by Courtney Garland, NICU Registered Nurse, IBCLC Lactation Consultant and Paediatric Sleep Consultant
You put baby onto the breast and think:
Ouch. Is it supposed to feel like this?
This is such a common question.
The first few sucks can sometimes feel tender or a little uncomfortable while baby attaches.
But that feeling should settle.
You should not spend the whole feed curling your toes, holding your breath or waiting for baby to come off.
What should a good latch feel like?
Once baby is properly attached, you should feel pulling and strong suction.
But you should not feel sharp, pinching or burning pain throughout the feed.
If you are dreading putting baby back onto the breast, I want you to stop and look at the latch.
Do not feel like you have to leave baby attached and push through it.
Break the latch, reset baby and try again.
“How to Get the Right Breastfeeding Latch (Without the Pain)” in the Breastfeeding Library will show you what I want you to look for, and “How to Break the Latch” will show you how to take baby off without pulling against your nipple.
What if the pain is not just during the latch?
This is where I want you to stop and think about the pain for a second.
Is it right on the nipple?
Does it feel sharp?
Burning?
Deep in the breast?
Does it happen during the feed, after the feed, or all the time?
Does the nipple or breast look different afterwards?
Those little details can actually give us important clues.
And this is exactly where the Breastfeeding Pain Guide becomes really helpful.
Instead of sitting there thinking:
Breastfeeding hurts.
I want you to start thinking:
What kind of pain am I actually having?
Use the Breastfeeding Pain Guide to help narrow down what kind of pain you are having and what to look at next.
Still not sure what is going on?
Ask Nurse Courtney.
Describe where the pain is, when it happens, what it feels like and what you are noticing.
Nurse Courtney can help you work through the possibilities, point you towards the most relevant lesson or guide in the app, and tell you when you need extra medical or breastfeeding support.
That is much more useful than trying to Google “Why does my breast hurt?” at 2 am.
The biggest thing I want you to remember
Breastfeeding can take practice.
You and your baby are both learning.
But pain is not something you have to push through to become good at breastfeeding.
If something does not feel right, there is usually more we can look at.
Related articles
• The First Breastfeed: What Actually Happens After Birth?
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