What helps sore nipples?
By The Zomee Team · Updated September 25, 2026 · 4 min read
Sore nipples usually have a fixable cause: your flange size if you pump, or the latch if you nurse. Mild tenderness in the first few days after birth is common while your nipples adjust. Pain that is sharp, breaks the skin, or doesn't ease is not.
You don't have to push through it. La Leche League says most sore or cracked nipples stop hurting once the latch and position are right, and it's rarely necessary to stop breastfeeding.
Why does pumping hurt?
Often it's your flange size, and sometimes the suction level.
As Kristen Hunter, IBCLC, puts it, "Suction should feel like a firm tug, never pain." Turn it up slowly, and stop at a level that feels comfortable. Going higher "can cause tissue damage without improving your output at all," she adds.
The wrong flange size can make pumping hurt. Flange size is the size of the tunnel, the narrow part of the breast shield your nipple moves in. Here's how to read the fit while you pump:
- Too small: Your nipple rubs or pinches against the sides of the tunnel, and soreness lingers after you pump. Try the next size up.
- Just right: Your nipple moves freely in the tunnel, with a gentle tug and no rubbing or pinching.
- Too big: Too much of your areola pulls into the tunnel, sometimes with swelling or a dull ache. Try the next size down.
How do I find my flange size?
Measure the widest part of the tip of each nipple in millimeters, not the base. Match each side to the closest size. If you land exactly between two sizes, start with the smaller one.
The Mother's Nature™ W1, the Mother's Nature H1, and the Zomee Fit each include a nipple ruler. You can also print one from our flange sizing guide.
If none of the sizes included with your Zomee pump fits, our Perfect Fit Promise™ sends you a pair in the size you need, free.
What if nursing hurts?
Check the latch. If a latch hurts, slide a clean finger into the corner of your baby's mouth to break the suction, then try again.
La Leche League says your nipple should look the same after a feed as it did before. If it looks pinched or white, the latch or position may need adjusting.
Start each feed on the less sore side, and switch once your milk lets down.
What can I put on sore nipples?
Your own milk or lanolin. La Leche League suggests both. After a feed or a pumping session, gently apply a little of your milk to your nipples and let it air dry before you cover up.
Use a pea-sized amount of ultrapure lanolin, and pat it on rather than rubbing it in. It forms a moisture barrier on the skin.
One exception: if the soreness comes from thrush, a yeast infection, La Leche League doesn't recommend either one.
How should I care for my nipples between feeds?
Rinse with plain water. La Leche League says soap, shampoo, and body wash can dry your nipples. It also no longer recommends drying sore nipples with a hair dryer, which dries the skin further.
Give your nipples air when you can. Avoid a bra that's too tight and presses on them, and change nursing pads once they're damp.
Tools like our Silver Soothing Nipple Shields can help protect sore nipples between feeds. They're reusable silver cups you wear inside your bra.
When should I call my provider?
Call if the pain isn't getting better, or if the skin is cracked or bleeding. La Leche League says pain that gets worse after the early days can come from thrush, a bacterial infection, or tongue-tie.
If you think you have thrush, the USDA's WIC program says to see your doctor or your baby's doctor right away, because you'll both need treatment. It lists these signs of thrush:
- Nipples that itch, burn, or look pink or flaky
- Shooting pain deep in your breast between feeds
- White spots on your baby's cheeks, tongue, or gums
Where to get help
Call The Mom Line™ at 1-888-662-7159 for help with flange size, suction settings, and parts. Real moms and certified lactation consultants answer it.
For latch and feeding concerns, a lactation consultant (IBCLC) can watch a feed or a pumping session and help you adjust it.
Questions moms ask
How long does nipple tenderness last when you start breastfeeding?
Usually the first few days. La Leche League says that in the first 3 to 5 days after birth, more than slight tenderness when your baby latches may mean the latch or position needs adjusting.
Can I keep breastfeeding with sore nipples?
Usually, yes. If nursing hurts too much for now, you can pump or hand express and feed your baby that milk while your nipples heal. A lactation consultant (IBCLC) can help you get back to nursing.
Can the wrong flange size damage your nipples?
Yes. The USDA's WIC program lists pumping with the wrong flange size as a cause of nipple damage. Your size can change over months of pumping and between pregnancies, so measure again if pumping starts to hurt.
Why do my nipples turn white or purple after pumping?
It can mean your flange size is too small. Try the next size up. If the color change or the pain keeps happening, talk to your provider or a lactation consultant (IBCLC).
Do I need to wipe off lanolin before nursing?
No. Our Lanolin Nipple Cream is safe for your baby, with no need to wipe it off before nursing.
