If your baby is poorly attached to the breast, the nipple is nearer the front of their mouth and can be pinched against the hard palate, causing pain.

Flattened, wedged or white nipples at the end of a feed are a sign your baby may not be properly attached. Your baby may also seem unsettled after feeds.

Having sore nipples when you're trying to breastfeed a new baby can be stressful and upsetting.

Self-help tips for sore nipples

Bear in mind that self-help tips will not be effective if your baby is poorly attached during breastfeeds.

But you may find it helps to:

• change breast pads at each feed (if you're using them) – if possible, use pads without a plastic backing
• wear a cotton bra so air can circulate
• keep feeding your baby for as long as they want – keeping breastfeeds short to "rest" your nipples will not ease nipple pain and could affect your milk supply
• avoid using nipple shields (a thin, protective cover worn over your nipple as you breastfeed) or breast shells (a hard, protective cover worn inside your bra) – these will not improve your baby's attachment to the breast

If your nipples start to crack, try dabbing a little expressed breast milk onto them after feeds.