Sore or cracked nipples

Sore nipples usually happens because your baby is not well positioned and attached and attached at the breast.

Putting up with it could make pain or discomfort worse, so it's important to get help from your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist as soon as you can.

See more advice on sore nipples

Not enough breast milk

When you first start breastfeeding, you may worry that your baby is not getting enough milk. It can take a little while before you feel confident that your baby is getting what they need.

Learn the signs that your baby is getting enough milk.

Offering your baby both breasts at each feed and alternating which breast you start with will help to stimulate your milk supply. So will keeping your baby close and holding them skin to skin.

Speak to your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist if you're worried your baby is not getting enough milk.

Breast engorgement

Breast engorgement is when your breasts get too full of milk. They may feel hard, tight and painful.

Engorgement can happen in the early days when you and your baby are still getting used to breastfeeding. It can take a few days for your milk supply to match your baby's needs.

Engorgement can also happen when your baby is older and not feeding so frequently, perhaps when they start having solid foods.

See how to manage breast pain whilst breastfeeding

Baby is not latching on properly

Breastfeeding is a skill that you and your baby need to learn together. It may take you both a while to get the hang of it.

If you are finding breastfeeding painful or your baby does not seem to be satisfied after feeds, they may not be latching onto the breast properly.

Is baby latching well and getting enough milk.

Too much breast milk

Occasionally women make too much breast milk and their babies struggle to cope.

It's best to get your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist to watch a feed to see if they can spot why this is happening. They can also show you different positions to help your baby cope with large amounts of milk.

Breastfeeding and thrush

Thrush infections can sometimes happen when your nipples become cracked or damaged. This means the candida fungus that causes thrush can get into your nipple or breast.

If you suspect you or your baby has a thrush infection, see your health visitor or GP.

See how to spot the signs of thrush whilst breastfeeding 

Breastfeeding and tongue tie

In some babies, the strip of skin that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth (frenulum) is shorter than usual. This is known as tongue tie.

Some babies who have a tongue tie do not seem to be bothered by it. In others, it can stop the tongue moving freely, which can make it harder for them to breastfeed.

The good news is that tongue tie easily treated.

Find out about tongue tie