Sometimes mothers start to experience Unusual shape of roof of baby’s If your nipples are so sore that you cannot Yeast infection. Yeast is a fungus that can problems with sore nipples after their milk mouth. Babies come in all shapes and sizes, tolerate the pressure of your bra or clothes, cause symptoms in your nipples and milk supply increases and they are engorged. and this includes difference in the inside of consider using special breast shells ducts and your baby’s mouth and diaper Engorgement leads to very full breasts their mouths. If your baby’s palate (the roof specifically designed for sore nipples. These area. The most common symptoms in babies and taut nipples that are a challenge of their mouth) has a dome shape, you may have large nipple openings and a hole for are white patches in the mouth and/or a red, for the baby to latch on to. Refer to have unusually sore nipples in the beginning promoting air circulation inside your bra. raised diaper rash. In mothers, possible “Engorgement” (page 30) for help if of your breastfeeding experience. You need symptoms include bright red or pink nipple this happens. to be especially careful about positioning, skin that may be accompanied by flaky or Baby not sucking properly. See the and you may benefit from wearing breast itching skin or a burning sensation. section on signs of incorrect latch-on (page shells 30 minutes before feedings and Be sure to wash your Sometimes the only symptom is extreme 15) to help you decide if your baby is putting breast milk on the nipple skin to breasts only with warm soreness during the whole feeding when sucking properly. promote healing. The nipple skin should water baby appears to be well latched on. Both you heal eventually, and sore nipples will cease and your baby must be treated at the same Baby rolling bottom lip under. Try to to be a problem. time or the infection will come right back. It get baby to open their mouth wider during Skin irritation: red, pink, chapped, can be passed back and forth between you latch-on. If this fails to correct the problem, flaky. Be sure to wash your breasts only during feedings. If you suspect that you pull down gently on baby’s chin with the If you are using a breast pump, be sure to or your baby has a yeast infection, call side of your index finger after they have with warm water unless you are told to start out gently each time. Don’t pull too your health care professional. Both you latched on, and their lip should open out (see do otherwise by your baby’s pediatrician. hard (with a hand pump) or turn the setting and your baby may require medication Figure 12). Soaps and some lotions or creams may of an electric pump too high (see “Using a breast to cure yeast infection. irritate the skin and make problems pump,” page 38). Not breaking suction when taking worse. However, there is a hypoallergenic You may need to see your health care baby off breast. If you need to take your lanolin made especially for breastfeeding professional or a lactation consultant if these baby off the breast before they have finished mothers that is soothing and healing and suggestions do not solve the problem. a feeding, be sure to insert a finger into the does not need to be removed before your side of their mouth to break the suction baby breastfeeds. Other things that may before removing your breast. Make sure you cause irritation include cologne, deodorant, have carefully washed your hands before hair spray, and powder. Try putting cool, breastfeeding. moist compresses on your breasts after breastfeeding. Or try expressing some milk after feedings and apply that to your nipple. Wearing a bra that is too tight or one with a seam that rubs the nipple may also cause irritation. 34 35