• Wash breasts daily. Try not to use soap on your nipples, especially if they are sore. Soap may dry your nipples and cause them to crack.
• Wear a bra that fits well and is not too tight. Do not wear a bra with underwires.
• After breastfeeding, express some breast milk onto the nipples and the dark area around them to help protect the skin. Let the milk dry before putting on your bra.

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If your breasts become hard, your baby may have trouble feeding Here are some ways to help soften your breasts:	Have a warm shower OR . . .	. . . massage your breasts for 10-15 minutes with a warm wet towel.
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. . . then express some breast milk until the area around your nipple feels soft (see section on "Expressing Breast milk").	Then breastfeed your baby. Make sure you breastfeed every 11/2-3 hours until your breasts are no longer hard.	After feeding, place a cold wet towel on your breasts for comfort and to help decrease swelling.

• cannot soften your breasts or are having problems breastfeeding.
• have a red and painful area on your breast.
• have a fever.
• are feeling sick.

Caring For Nipples That Are Sore
 

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There may be some nipple tenderness in the first week after birth. This should get better each day. Breastfeeding should not be painful. If you feel nipple pain, check or try the following:	Baby is positioned properly: baby's head and body are raised up to your breast. baby's chest is facing your chest. baby's mouth is facing your nipple.	Baby is latched on the breast properly: See baby's mouth opened wide. See baby's lips curled out. See baby's chin pressed into your breast.
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If you want to take baby off your breast, slip your finger into baby's mouth and between the gums to break the suction.	After feeding, express some breast milk onto the nipples and the dark area around them. Let the milk dry before putting on your bra.	You can wear a breast shell under your bra to help protect the sore nipple from rubbing against your bra.
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Some creams and ointments may help. Ask someone who knows about breastfeeding for more information.	It is best to wait until your baby has learned to breastfeed before giving a bottle or soother. This often happens by 4-6 weeks.	Get help right away if: your nipple is still painful after checking that your baby is positioned and latched on the breast properly. See the back of this book for places to get help.