Breastfeeding is often portrayed as natural and effortless, but the reality for many new mums is quite different. Sore nipples, latch issues, and ongoing discomfort are a lot more common than you might think. These challenges aren’t a sign you’re doing it wrong; usually, they just mean you need a bit of adjustment and support.
It’s also common to wonder why breastfeeding hurts, especially in the early days when your body is still adjusting to this new routine, but with some thoughtful guidance and products designed to help things can start to feel more manageable – letting you focus on bonding, not battling discomfort.
This guide will walk you through common breastfeeding challenges and practical ways to manage them, as well as answer some common questions, like “How do you use a nipple shield?”, “Do nipple shields help with fast letdown?” and “Does a nipple shield help with overactive letdown?”
A word from Munchkin’s Lactation Specialist, Kerry Baker (Registered Midwife and Lactation Consultant, International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE))…
Breastfeeding can be one of the most rewarding experiences for a mother – but without the right support and practical help, it can also become painful and stressful. Many women struggle simply because they haven’t been given the support or guidance they need and deserve.
We want more women to feel empowered in their breastfeeding journey by understanding why it can be challenging and by having access to clear, practical advice to help make things better. The more useful information women have, the greater the chances of a successful and positive experience. The emphasis here is on early support. The moment you feel things aren’t going as you’d expect, or you want reassurance, that’s the time to reach out and get specialist help to keep things on track.
You can do this – you are the perfect mother for your baby. Your journey might feel like a minefield, but the sooner you get support, the sooner it will start to feel more enjoyable. You want breastfeeding to be a success – and you deserve to enjoy it.
Why is breastfeeding so hard?
The early days of breastfeeding can feel like a whirlwind of emotions, expectations, and exhaustion. It’s no wonder that many new mums end up turning to Google, searching “Why is breastfeeding so hard?”, because it really can be. Sore breasts, cracked nipples, and constant discomfort can make something that’s meant to feel natural and nurturing feel anything but.
Breastfeeding can sometimes hurt. However, while a bit of tenderness in those first few days is normal as your body gets used to breastfeeding, persistent pain is your body’s way of saying, “something needs attention.” Many new mums think they should just grit their teeth and carry on, but this can actually make things worse, and turn breastfeeding into an even bigger struggle in the long run.
The statistics around breastfeeding challenges show just how common these hurdles really are:
- 28% of mums worry about not producing enough milk.
- 16% find breastfeeding too painful.
- 16% say breastfeeding is tiring and inconvenient.
- 98% of mums who quit breastfeeding cite a lack of confidence as the main reason.
These numbers prove that if you’re finding breastfeeding difficult, you’re certainly not alone. Most mums who stop breastfeeding don’t do so by choice, it’s often a confidence issue that stems from missing that crucial support they needed early on.
Insight from our Lactation Specialist, Kerry…
Every mother’s breastfeeding journey is unique. While there may be many similarities between your journey and another mother’s, what makes breastfeeding challenging is that it’s deeply personal. That’s because so many wider factors can influence how breastfeeding goes. These might include your pregnancy journey, your birth experience, your support network, your baby’s journey, and your emotional well-being – even how many other children you have and what their needs are.
All of these factors are the unique ingredients that make you, you. They shape your breastfeeding experience and make it your own. That’s why support is key. The more guidance and information you have that’s tailored to your unique circumstance with your baby, the higher the chances of success.
When we understand the barriers we face and how to advocate for ourselves, we’re better equipped to overcome them. For many women, this means achieving the successful and rewarding breastfeeding journey they hope for. Awareness, knowledge, support, and self-compassion are key to success.
Common breastfeeding challenges: Sore nipples and breast discomfort
Breast discomfort, sore nipples, and nipple trauma are some of the most common breastfeeding challenges that’ll pop up in those early feeding days.
Nipple trauma from breastfeeding usually happens when your little one’s latch isn’t quite right. This could be down to your baby’s positioning, restricted tongue movement (such as from a tongue tie), or nipple shape. When the latch is shallow, it creates friction on the delicate tissue around the nipple, leading to soreness, cracking, and in some cases bleeding.
Sore nipples after breastfeeding are common in those early weeks because you and your baby are both complete beginners! Your baby is learning how to feed effectively while you’re figuring out positioning and everything that goes with it.
If you’re dealing with ongoing breast discomfort from breastfeeding that doesn’t get better after a few days, or you notice cracks, bleeding, or start to dread feeding times, it’s time to reach out for support.
When to speak to a healthcare professional about breastfeeding
If you spot any of these symptoms in yourself or your little one, it’s worth seeking out some professional advice.
For mums:
- Painful, cracked, sore or bleeding nipples
- Blocked ducts or engorgement
- Breasts feeling bruised, overly swollen or hard
- Stabbing or burning breast pain between feeds
- Skin dimpling on the breast (like orange peel)
- Strong breastfeeding aversion or avoiding feeds due to pain
- Feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms (potential signs of mastitis)
- Unable to remove milk despite feeling full or engorged
For babies:
- Not passing urine or stools regularly
- Not settling after feeds or too sleepy to feed, even with skin-to-skin or nappy changes
- Weight gain concerns
- Feeding more than 12 times or fewer than 8 times in 24 hours
- Going longer than four hours between feeds in the newborn stage
- Signs of jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Needing to be woken for every feed and not waking naturally
Alongside these signs, having reliable tools on hand can make a big difference. For example, the Munchkin baby thermometer provides quick, accurate temperature checks to help you spot if your baby might be unwell, offering peace of mind during those worrying moments.
Addressing social pressure and healthcare perspectives
Many mothers feel enormous pressure to breastfeed “perfectly” and worry about being judged if they need extra support. This social expectation can sometimes affect the mental health of new mums and make them very reluctant to ask for support or even consider things like nipple shields – even when these could significantly improve their feeding experience.
While some healthcare professionals sometimes hesitate to recommend nipple shields, research and clinical experience have shown that when used appropriately, nipple shields can be valuable tools that help encourage breastfeeding.
Choosing to use a tool like Flow to support your breastfeeding journey doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong, it means you’re doing what’s right for you at that time. These support aids are designed to help ease the strain during difficult periods and can make the difference between pushing through and stopping when breast discomfort during feeding threatens to derail things.
What healthcare professionals say about Flow…
Many healthcare professionals (HCPs) have shared how positive Flow has been as a breastfeeding support aid. HCPs regularly assist women facing a wide range of breastfeeding challenges, and Flow offers a practical solution in many cases where its use is appropriate and backed by clinical research.
When considering how best to support and protect breastfeeding, HCPs agreed that Flow has a role in specific situations where it can help preserve the breastfeeding relationship.
For mothers struggling with confidence or trust in their milk supply, HCPs see Flow as a way to reduce the need for further interventions, such as unnecessary pumping or formula supplementation,when not clinically necessary if feeding with the shield whilst working on the root of the issues is meeting baby’s intake needs. They also recommend Flow in situations where nipple shields are typically advised for a limited period, depending on the issue. These situations can include nipple trauma, a weaker suck with a baby slightly premature (36-37 weeks), severe tongue tie, and flat or inverted nipples – conditions that may benefit from either short-term or longer-term use of Flow.
Like other nipple shields, HCPs recognise that Flow is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but in the right context, it can be a temporary, diagnostic, and an empowering tool – especially for mothers who are struggling to trust that their bodies are producing enough milk for multiple reasons.
How to soothe breastfeeding pain
Learning how to soothe breastfeeding pain and how to relieve sore nipples after breastfeeding can make an enormous difference to your comfort and empower you to keep going on your breastfeeding journey. Here are some tried-and-tested, research-backed strategies that may help:
Immediate comfort measures:
- Apply lanolin cream: Pure lanolin creates a protective barrier and promotes healing. Smooth a little on after each feed – there’s no need to wipe it off before the next one.
- Use moist wound healing: Contrary to old advice, don’t air dry your nipples. Moist wound healing promotes faster, more comfortable healing.
- Try cooling gel pads: These can be stored in the refrigerator and applied between feeds for soothing relief.
- Change breast pads frequently: Keeping the area clean and dry helps prevent bacterial overgrowth and thrush.
- Use your own breast milk: Apply a few drops of breast milk to your nipples between feeds. Breast milk has natural antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that can gently aid healing. You might find our collector cup useful for this, as it sits snugly within your nursing bra and collects any let-down, without you having to think about it.
Lactation Specialist, Kerry explains the role of Flow in improving latch and comfort…
When we look at the biomechanics of breastfeeding, the milk outlet (the nipple) needs to be positioned in the part of the baby’s mouth that doesn’t occlude, abrase, or pressurise it. This is the space between the junction of the hard and soft palate and the tongue at the back of the baby’s mouth.
Think of it like trying to drink through a straw you’re biting – you’re limiting the amount that can be drunk at one time. Now imagine that straw is your nipple – ouch! If there’s pressure on the nipple, less milk gets into the baby’s mouth at one time, which can lead to nipple trauma. As a result, feeds take longer, less milk is transferred, and the supply will suffer.
Also, if the baby isn’t deeply attached to the breast tissue, they can’t effectively compress and manipulate the milk ducts. Without that deeper latch, they simply can’t draw out as much milk as they could with proper attachment.
How to size a Flow nipple shield
To choose the right Flow nipple shield size, measure your nipple at its widest point (not including the areola), ideally when stimulated for an accurate reading.
Then match your measurement to the size guide below:
- Up to 15mm – Small (16mm)
- 16-19mm – Medium (20mm)
- 20-23mm – Large (24mm)
- 24-27mm – Extra Large (28mm)
For best results, use this printable fitting guide to ensure the shield sits snugly at the base of the nipple without rubbing or pinching. The right fit should feel secure but not tight – the shield shouldn’t compress or squeeze the nipple during feeds.
In clinical trials, 93% of mothers said Flow helped them meet or exceed their breastfeeding goals by the six-month mark, and 77% reported feeling more confident about breastfeeding during that crucial first month. Compared to national averages, mums using Flow were more likely to continue breastfeeding, an indication of how effective the right support can be!
What does Lactation Specialist, Kerry, say about the benefits and best use of Flow Nipple Shields?
Always ensure that the nipple shield is sterile before use and that it is the correct size. Sterilisation between uses is required.
Please refer to the manufacturer’s guide for instructions on sterilising and to check how long the shield can be used safely.
Many women find that peeling the shield across the nipple from right to left, bottom to top, or vice versa works for placement. Ensuring that the teat of the shield envelopes the nipple centrally on the breast is important. Some mothers find the ‘sombrero technique’ helpful: applying pressure to the shield teat to invert it slightly, then positioning it on the breast as described above.
The nipple shield should sit comfortably and securely on the breast, even when the baby is latched with the shield in place.
Benefits:
- Shields can help secure and seal an attachment with a baby who has struggled to latch naturally – for example, in cases of tongue tie where the baby is unable to maintain a latch effectively and other natural methods haven’t helped.
- Women with flat or inverted nipples who are finding it difficult to latch their baby may benefit from the protruding teat on the nipple shield, which can help them achieve attachment while they seek further support. In some cases, it may be recommended for the longer term to help preserve breastfeeding.
- A premature baby born before 37 weeks but after 36 weeks who is well enough to go home may still have a slightly weaker suck. In such cases, a nipple shield can be beneficial while the baby gains strength. Premature infants in a neonatal unit may require other specific shields under the instruction of their neonatal doctor.
- For severe nipple trauma, shields can serve as a protective barrier, allowing mothers to continue breastfeeding while they work to identify and resolve the underlying issue. This can help minimise further trauma and sustain direct breastfeeding until practical help becomes available.
- Severe milk ejection reflex / forceful letdown – Women who struggle with breastfeeding due to an overly forceful milk ejection reflex may find that shields act as a barrier, helping to moderate the milk flow until the baby is able to manage it more easily or until the milk supply regulates naturally.
- Flow specifically allows mothers to see milk movement throughout a feed. If a mother is concerned about her supply, she can use the shield temporarily to observe milk flow and build confidence in her ability to meet her baby’s needs.
- Flow can also be used as a diagnostic tool in cases of suspected milk transfer issues, and it may be used temporarily as needed.
Limitations:
In most cases, the issues described above can be addressed through natural methods and specialist support. Shields can be an important short-term tool to help mothers continue breastfeeding until they receive adequate help. In rare cases, longer-term use may be advised (on a case-by-case basis) after receiving specialised support.
A few helpful points on how to make breastfeeding work for you
Breastfeeding challenges are incredibly common but thankfully, so are the solutions. Whether it’s nipple pain, latch issues or worries about having enough milk, these difficulties can be eased with specialist advice, evidence-backed strategies and the right support aids.
Remember: pain is not something you have to push through. Products like Munchkin’s Flow are made to provide comfort and support, particularly when latch difficulties are making things more painful than they need to be. Flow is designed to help ease latch-related pain and support your body’s natural breastfeeding rhythm, helping you stay on track without compromising your breastfeeding goals.
If you’re finding things tough, get help early. Early support from NHS services, lactation consultants, or your midwife can prevent bigger issues down the line. Every mum’s journey is different, but you’re not alone – with the right support and solutions like Flow, you can move past the tricky parts and find a feeding routine that feels right for both you and your baby.
For extra guidance and reassurance, our StrollerCoaster Parenting Podcast and the Munchkin blog are great places to hear from other parents and pick up practical, specialist-backed tips. For more specialist advice, chat with Erica, our expert advice bot. Erica offers personalised guidance for all your queries, and she’s always got your back.
A kind word from Kerry…
Don’t suffer in silence. There are lots of resources and tools available to support your breastfeeding journey. If something doesn’t feel right, even if you’ve been reassured, trust yourself and speak up. Self-advocacy matters. Reach out to your midwife or feeding specialist to discuss your concerns. Remember, your intuition is powerful!
If you’re struggling while waiting for support and are on the brink of giving up or concerned about your supply, nipple shields can be a helpful bridge. They can keep breastfeeding going while you work through the challenges and get the guidance you need.
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