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  3. Causes of Sore Nipples and Immediate Relief
Course Content
Why Breastfeeding Matters (10 minutes)
Health and developmental benefits for infants Maternal benefits (physical and mental) Economic and community-level advantages Common myths and culturally specific misconceptions
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Health & Developmental Benefits for Infants from Breastfeeding
Maternal Benefits of Breastfeeding (Physical and Mental)
Economic and Community-Level Advantages of Breastfeeding
Common Myths and Culturally Specific Misconceptions about Breastfeeding
Newborn Feeding Cues & Anatomy (20 minutes)
Early vs. late hunger cues and what they mean Normal newborn feeding patterns and stomach capacity Brief breast anatomy (lobes, ducts, nipple, areola) in plain language Signs of effective feeding (swallowing, contentment, diaper output)
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Early vs. Late Hunger Cues in Infants
Normal Newborn Feeding Patterns and Stomach Capacity
Breast Anatomy (in Plain Language)
Signs of Effective Feeding in Breastfed Babies
Positions & Achieving a Good Latch (40 minutes)
Position options: cradle, cross-cradle, football/clutch, side-lying Stepwise approach to help baby latch (prepare — attach — assess) Signs of a good vs. poor latch (comfort, nipple shape, audible swallowing) Small-person adaptations (premature, small mouth, tongue-tie considerations) Safe positioning for mothers with C-section recovery
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Position Options for Breastfeeding
Stepwise Approach to Help Baby Latch
Signs of a Good vs. Poor Latch
Small-Person Adaptations in Breastfeeding
Safe Positioning for Mothers with C-Section Recovery
Protecting & Building Milk Supply (25 minutes)
Establishing supply in the first days and weeks (frequency, skin-to-skin) Night feeds and cluster feeding explained Lifestyle and medical factors that reduce supply (e.g., certain medications, stress) Relactation and increasing milk supply safely Nutrition and hydration myths vs. evidence
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Establishing Milk Supply in the First Days and Weeks
Night Feeds and Cluster Feeding
Lifestyle and Medical Factors That Reduce Supply
Relactation and Increasing Milk Supply Safely
Nutrition and Hydration Myths vs. Evidence in Breastfeeding
Expressing & Storing Breastmilk (20 minutes)
Hand-expression steps and common mistakes Choosing and using pumps (manual vs. electric) — practical tips Safe collection, labeling, storage, thawing and warming guidelines (low-resource options included) Cleaning and hygiene for bottles and storage containers Feeding expressed milk to infant (cup, spoon, paladai, bottle considerations)
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Hand-Expression Steps and Common Mistakes
Choosing and Using Breast Pumps (Manual vs. Electric)
Safe Breast Milk Handling
Cleaning and Hygiene for Bottles and Storage Containers
Feeding Expressed Milk to Infants
Common Problems & Practical Solutions (25 minutes)
Causes of sore nipples and immediate relief techniques Managing engorgement and preventing blocked ducts Recognising mastitis vs. normal engorgement and when antibiotics may be needed Low weight gain: assessment steps and feeding plan adjustments Non-judgmental approach to supplementation and safe short-term options
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Causes of Sore Nipples and Immediate Relief
Managing Engorgement and Preventing Blocked Ducts
Recognising Mastitis vs. Normal Engorgement
Low Weight Gain — Assessment and Feeding Plan Adjustments
Non-Judgmental Approach to Supplementation
Returning to Work or School; Feeding Outside the Home (15 minutes)
Creating an express-and-feed routine (timing, containers, transport) Practical storage and transport tips for different commute types Rights and workplace basics (general guidance; encourage local legal verification) Communicating with caregivers and preparing safe feeder notes Emotional coping and practical fallback plans
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Creating an Express-and-Feed Routine
Practical Storage & Transport Tips for Expressed Breast Milk by Commute Type
Rights and Workplace Basics for Breastfeeding Mothers
Communicating with Caregivers and Preparing Safe Feeder Notes
Emotional Coping and Practical Fallback Plans
Special Situations (20 minutes)
Feeding preterm or low-birthweight infants: kangaroo care, cup or tube feeding basics Managing twins/multiples: tandem feeding tips and time-saving routines Mothers on medication or with infectious illness: how to check drug safety and local guidelines (HIV, TB, etc.) Using donor milk or milk banks (where available) — safety basics
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Feeding Preterm or Low-Birthweight Infants
Managing Twins/Multiples — Tandem Feeding Tips and Time-Saving Routines
Mothers on Medication or with Infectious Illness — Drug Safety & Guidelines
Using Donor Milk or Milk Banks — Safety Basics
When to Seek Help & Building a Support Network (15 minutes)
Red flags for baby and mother (e.g., poor weight gain, fever, severe pain) Where to seek help: clinic, CHW, lactation consultant, emergency care Building a support network: partners, family, peer counsellors, community groups Using telephone/text supports, community groups, and referral pathways
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Red Flags for Baby and Mother
Where to Seek Help for Breastfeeding Challenges
Building a Support Network for Breastfeeding Mothers
Using Telephone/Text Supports, Community Groups, and Referral Pathways
Wrap-up, Resources & Final Assessment (15 minutes)
Key takeaways and common pitfalls to avoid Next steps: seeking local support, advanced training options How to use course materials beyond the course (groups, sharing, peer support) Final 20-question multiple-choice quiz (80% pass mark)
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Key Takeaways and Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Next Steps — Seeking Local Support & Advanced Training Options
How to Use Course Materials Beyond the Course
Final 20-question multiple-choice quiz (80% pass mark)
How to Breastfeed — Self-Paced, Evidence-Based Course for African Moms

Introduction

Mild nipple tenderness in the first few days of breastfeeding is common, but pain that persists, worsens, or causes skin damage is not normal. Understanding causes and quick relief strategies helps mothers continue breastfeeding comfortably and confidently.

1. Common Causes of Sore Nipples

  1. Poor latch

    • Baby sucking only on nipple, not taking enough areola.

    • Most common cause of pain and cracks.

  2. Wrong positioning

    • Baby’s head/body not aligned, causing nipple friction.

  3. Tongue-tie or oral issues in baby

    • Restricts baby’s tongue movement, causing painful suction.

  4. Dryness or friction

    • Overuse of soaps, harsh washing, or rough breast pads.

  5. Pumping issues

    • Wrong flange size or suction too high.

  6. Infections

    • Candida (thrush): Burning pain, shiny nipples.

    • Bacterial infection: Cracks with pus or worsening pain.

2. Immediate Relief Techniques

  • Correct the latch

    • Reposition baby; nipple should come out rounded, not pinched.

    • Try different holds (football, cross-cradle).

  • Air-dry nipples

    • After feeding, let nipples dry in air or sunlight for a few minutes.

  • Apply breast milk

    • Rub a few drops of breast milk onto sore nipple — natural healing properties.

  • Use warm compresses before feeding

    • Encourages milk flow, reduces pain at start of feed.

  • Cold compresses after feeding

    • Relieves pain and swelling.

  • Lanolin or safe nipple creams

    • Soothe cracks (ensure baby-safe products).

  • Pain relief if severe

    • Paracetamol or ibuprofen (safe in breastfeeding, if no allergies/contraindications).

  • For infections

    • Seek medical help — antifungal or antibiotic treatment may be needed.

3. Prevention Tips

  • Ensure good latch and positioning from the beginning.

  • Avoid harsh soaps/detergents on nipples.

  • Change damp breast pads frequently.

  • Pump with correct flange size and moderate suction.

  • Treat underlying causes (e.g., thrush in both baby and mother).

End of Lecture Quiz

Q1. What is the most common cause of sore nipples in breastfeeding mothers?
A. Tongue-tie
B. Poor latch
C. Infection
D. Harsh washing

Answer: B. Poor latch
Rationale: Most nipple soreness comes from the baby sucking only on the nipple instead of deep latch.

Q2. Which natural method can help soothe sore nipples after a feed?
A. Rubbing alcohol
B. Breast milk
C. Baby oil
D. Salt water

Answer: B. Breast milk
Rationale: Breast milk has antibacterial and healing properties, making it a safe, natural remedy.

Q3. True or False: It is safe to microwave expressed breast milk to warm it quickly.
Answer: False
Rationale: Microwaving damages nutrients and may create hot spots that burn the baby’s mouth.

Curated Online Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Sore nipples are usually preventable and treatable.

  • The main cause is poor latch — correcting position helps immediately.

  • Relief methods include breast milk application, warm/cold compresses, lanolin creams.

  • Persistent or severe pain may signal infection or tongue-tie — seek medical help.

Call to Action

  • Mothers: Don’t ignore nipple pain — ask for latch support early.

  • Health workers: Proactively check latch and nipple condition at every visit.

  • Communities: Normalize talking about breastfeeding challenges so mothers get timely help.

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