Painful Breastfeeding Isn’t Normal: Why Nursing Shouldn’t Hurt

By Peaceful Roots Lactation

One of the most common things new parents hear is:

“Just give it a couple of weeks. Breastfeeding always hurts at first.”

While this advice is often well-intentioned, it isn’t entirely true.

Although it’s common to experience some brief tenderness in the first few days after birth as you and your baby are learning together, ongoing pain is not considered a normal part of breastfeeding.

Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something deserves a closer look.

The good news? Most causes of painful breastfeeding can be identified and improved with the right support.

Is any pain normal?

Many parents experience mild nipple tenderness during the first few days of breastfeeding.

You might notice:

• Mild sensitivity when your baby first latches

• Temporary discomfort that improves within a few seconds

• Slight tenderness between feedings

As breastfeeding becomes established, this tenderness typically improves over the first week or two.

However, if the pain is severe, continues throughout the feeding, worsens over time, or leaves you dreading the next nursing session, it’s not something you simply have to “push through.”

Breastfeeding should become comfortable

A good latch may feel like gentle tugging or rhythmic pulling, but it should not feel like:

• Sharp or stabbing pain

• Pinching

• Burning

• Cracked or bleeding nipples

• Bruising or blisters

• Toe-curling pain throughout the feeding

These symptoms often indicate that something is interfering with effective feeding.

What causes painful breastfeeding?

Pain isn’t a diagnosis—it’s a symptom.

Several factors can contribute to breastfeeding discomfort, including:

Positioning and latch

A shallow latch is one of the most common causes of nipple pain.

Small adjustments to positioning or helping your baby achieve a deeper latch can often make a significant difference.

Oral function

Some babies have difficulty moving their tongue, lips, or jaw effectively.

Concerns such as tongue-tie, restricted oral tissues, or poor oral motor coordination may lead to nipple pain, prolonged feedings, or inefficient milk transfer.

A thorough feeding assessment looks at function—not just anatomy.

Engorgement

Very full breasts can make it difficult for babies to latch deeply, increasing discomfort for both parent and baby.

Managing engorgement early often improves feeding.

Nipple injury

Repeated shallow latching or excessive friction can cause cracks, abrasions, or blisters that become increasingly painful with each feeding.

Treating the underlying cause is just as important as helping the nipple heal.

Infection or inflammation

Occasionally, pain may be related to conditions such as mastitis, nipple dermatitis, or other skin conditions.

Persistent pain that doesn’t improve deserves medical evaluation.

Pain can affect more than your nipples

Breastfeeding pain doesn’t just affect feeding.

It can impact:

• Your confidence

• Milk removal

• Milk supply over time

• Your emotional well-being

• Your enjoyment of your baby

Some parents begin delaying feedings because they fear the pain. Others consider weaning before they wanted to because breastfeeding feels overwhelming.

You deserve support long before it reaches that point.

What if everyone tells me it’s normal?

Unfortunately, many parents are told to simply “keep trying.”

While breastfeeding is a learned skill for both parent and baby, persistent pain should never be dismissed.

Seeking help early doesn’t mean you’re failing.

It means you’re addressing a concern.

How an IBCLC can help

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) looks beyond the nipple to understand why breastfeeding is painful.

A comprehensive feeding assessment may include:

• Observing a complete feeding

• Evaluating latch and positioning

• Assessing milk transfer

• Examining your baby’s oral function

• Identifying signs of tongue-tie or oral restrictions

• Discussing pumping, supplementation, or bottle feeding if needed

• Creating a personalized plan based on your family’s goals

Often, small changes can make a remarkable difference in comfort.

When should you seek help?

You don’t have to wait until breastfeeding feels unbearable.

Reach out to an IBCLC or your healthcare provider if:

• Breastfeeding is painful beyond the first several days.

• Pain continues throughout the feeding.

• Your nipples are cracked, bleeding, or blistered.

• Your baby struggles to latch or frequently slips off the breast.

• Feedings last a very long time or your baby seems frustrated.

• You’re thinking about stopping breastfeeding because of pain.

The earlier you seek support, the easier many challenges are to address.

You don’t have to “tough it out”

One of the biggest myths about breastfeeding is that suffering is simply part of the experience.

It isn’t.

While breastfeeding can take time to learn, it should not continue to hurt.

If feeding is painful, your body is giving you important information—not asking you to ignore it.

With compassionate, evidence-based support, many families find that breastfeeding becomes more comfortable, more effective, and much more enjoyable.

You deserve a feeding experience that supports both you and your baby. And if breastfeeding hurts, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

References

• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Clinical Protocol #26: Persistent Pain with Breastfeeding.

• American Academy of Pediatrics. Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk.

• World Health Organization. Infant and Young Child Feeding.

• Riordan J, Wambach K. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation.

• International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA). Clinical Resources for Breastfeeding Management.