💡 Quick Answer
Breastfeeding should not remain painful after the first few days.
Ongoing nipple pain may be caused by a tongue-tie, lip-tie, shallow latch, poor positioning, or other feeding challenges. A comprehensive feeding evaluation can identify the underlying cause and help determine the most appropriate treatment, making breastfeeding more comfortable for both you and your baby.
“Everyone keeps telling me the latch looks great…so why does breastfeeding still hurt?”
If I had to choose one concern that brings families to our office more than almost any other, this would be near the top of the list.
Many parents have already done everything they know to do.
They’ve met with a lactation consultant.
They’ve adjusted positions.
They’ve watched countless videos.
They’ve used nipple creams, shields, and every recommendation friends have suggested.
Yet every feeding is still painful.
Sometimes the pain improves slightly after the first few seconds.
Other times it lasts throughout the entire feeding.
Some mothers describe it as pinching.
Others describe burning, rubbing, or feeling like their baby is biting them.
Many begin wondering if breastfeeding is simply supposed to hurt.
The answer is: No.
While it’s common to have some tenderness during the first few days after birth, ongoing pain is not something you should simply accept. It’s not “supposed to hurt for six weeks” as many well-meaning people claim.
After evaluating thousands of babies with breastfeeding difficulties, I’ve found that one of the most common reasons mothers experience persistent nipple pain is inefficient feeding caused by restricted tongue movement. In some babies, a restrictive lip-tie can also contribute by preventing the baby from maintaining a comfortable seal around the breast.
The encouraging news is that when these restrictions are truly contributing to painful breastfeeding, treatment is often very rewarding. Parents frequently tell us breastfeeding becomes dramatically more comfortable and enjoyable, even the same day.
Is Breastfeeding Supposed to Hurt?
One of the biggest myths surrounding breastfeeding is that pain is simply part of the process.
While some mild soreness during the first few days can certainly be normal, persistent pain is your body’s way of telling you something isn’t working as it should.
Healthy breastfeeding should not leave you:
-
Dreading the next feeding
-
Clenching your teeth when your baby latches
-
Crying through feedings
-
Bleeding or cracked nipples
-
Developing recurring plugged ducts or milk blebs
-
Wondering whether you should quit breastfeeding altogether
If you’re experiencing ongoing pain, it’s worth asking why.
“Everyone Says the Latch Looks Fine…”
One of the most common conversations I have goes something like this:
“The pediatrician said the latch looks good.”
“The nurse thought everything looked normal.”
“The lactation consultant said she couldn’t see anything obvious.”
“But breastfeeding still hurts.”
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Many of the families we see have already received one or more opinions before coming to our office.
Sometimes those evaluations are absolutely correct.
Not every painful latch is caused by a tongue-tie.
However, after evaluating thousands of babies with feeding difficulties, I’ve found that many babies with significant tongue restrictions actually appear to latch well – at least from the outside. But some with less obvious restrictions (a posterior tongue-tie) have a mountain of symptoms and incredible pain for mom.
The problem isn’t always whether the baby can latch.
The problem is how efficiently and comfortably the baby functions once latched.
Why a Baby Can Have a “Good Latch” and Still Cause Pain
Breastfeeding isn’t simply about getting the nipple into the baby’s mouth.
Once latched, the tongue must move through a coordinated pattern to remove milk efficiently while protecting the nipple from excessive pressure.
When tongue movement is restricted, babies often compensate.
Instead of using the tongue effectively, they may:
-
Compress the nipple against the hard palate
-
Pull with the gums
-
Repeatedly lose suction
-
Slip off the breast
-
Create excessive friction during feeding
These compensations can make every feeding painful – even if the latch initially appears normal.
In some babies, a restrictive lip-tie may also contribute by making it harder to maintain a stable seal, causing the baby to compensate even more.
One of the Most Common Signs I See
A healthy feeding usually leaves the nipple looking much the same as it did before.
However, mothers with babies who aren’t transferring milk efficiently often describe:
-
A flattened nipple
-
A “lipstick-shaped” nipple
-
A white stripe across the nipple
-
Compression lines
-
Blisters
-
Milk blebs
-
Cracking or bleeding
These changes suggest the nipple is being compressed rather than feeding comfortably.
While these findings don’t automatically mean a tongue-tie is present, they often tell me that feeding deserves a closer look. (We don’t observe breastfeeding, we leave that to the lactation consultants!) Rather, we ask questions to get to the root cause for that individual baby.
Pain Is Usually Only Part of the Story
Persistent nipple pain rarely occurs by itself.
Parents often mention other symptoms as we continue talking.
Their baby:
-
Clicks while nursing.
-
Feeds for nearly an hour.
-
Always seems hungry again shortly afterward.
-
Burps constantly.
-
Leaks milk from the corners of the mouth.
When several of these symptoms occur together, they often suggest that feeding isn’t as efficient as it should be. The more symptoms like these, the more like a tongue-tie or lip-tie may be present.
If your baby clicks while nursing, you may also enjoy Why Does My Baby Click While Breastfeeding?. If your baby always seems hungry after feeding, read Why Is My Baby Always Hungry? It May Not Be Low Milk Supply. And if your baby repeatedly swallows air during feedings, Why Does My Baby Swallow So Much Air While Feeding? explains why these symptoms often occur together.
Does this sound familiar?
Breastfeeding shouldn’t leave you in pain every time your baby eats. If you’ve been told everything looks normal but feeding still hurts, don’t ignore your instincts. Many of the families we care for have already sought help before coming to our office. A comprehensive functional feeding evaluation often provides the answers they’ve been searching for.
Families travel to the Alabama Tongue-Tie Center from across the United States and around the world for comprehensive evaluations of tongue-ties, lip-ties, and feeding difficulties.
Do These Symptoms Sound Familiar?
A Comprehensive Feeding Evaluation Can Help You Find Answers.
It’s Not Always a Tongue-Tie, But It’s Often Worth Evaluating
Not every mother with painful breastfeeding has a baby with a tongue-tie. But many do.
Persistent nipple pain can also be related to:
-
Poor positioning
-
Shallow latch
-
Engorgement
-
Vasospasm
-
Thrush (yeast infection)
-
Oversupply or forceful letdown
-
Pump-related trauma
-
Other breastfeeding challenges
However, after evaluating babies with feeding difficulties for over a decade, I’ve found that tongue-ties are one of the most commonly overlooked causes of persistent breastfeeding pain.
That’s why I believe ongoing pain deserves a thorough evaluation.
The goal isn’t to recommend a procedure for every baby.
The goal is to determine why breastfeeding hurts and recommend the treatment that’s most likely to help both mom and baby.
Why We Evaluate Both the Tongue and the Upper Lip
Many parents are surprised to learn that we don’t evaluate only the tongue.
During every comprehensive feeding evaluation, we assess both tongue function and upper lip function (and the cheeks too!).
While tongue-ties are more commonly responsible for painful breastfeeding because they limit tongue mobility and efficient milk transfer, a restrictive lip-tie can also contribute by making it difficult for some babies to maintain a comfortable seal around the breast.
When babies can’t maintain that seal, they often compensate by pulling harder, slipping off the breast, or repeatedly losing suction. A lip-tie or even cheek-tie can make maintaining the seal more difficult.
These compensations can increase discomfort for mom while making feeding less efficient for baby.
Because tongue-ties and lip-ties frequently occur together, we carefully evaluate both during every feeding assessment.
If you’d like to learn more, you may also enjoy Lip-Tie in Babies: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment.
Why We Look Beyond the Mouth
Successful breastfeeding depends on much more than anatomy alone.
That’s why we frequently work alongside:
-
IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants)
-
Pediatricians
-
Physical therapists
-
Occupational therapists
-
Speech-language pathologists
-
Chiropractors experienced in caring for infants
Some babies need help improving positioning.
Some benefit from therapy to address body tension.
Some mothers need assistance with milk supply or oversupply.
Others benefit from treatment of a tongue-tie, lip-tie, or both.
Every family is different.
Our goal is to identify the underlying cause of the pain so breastfeeding can become both effective and enjoyable.
What Happens During a Comprehensive Feeding Evaluation?
One of the questions parents ask most often is:
“What makes your evaluation different?”
Rather than simply checking whether a tongue-tie is visible, we evaluate the entire feeding process.
We assess:
-
Tongue mobility
-
Tongue function
-
Upper lip mobility
-
Cheek mobility
-
Suction
-
Milk transfer
-
Feeding coordination
-
Oral anatomy
-
Your baby’s symptoms
-
Your breastfeeding history
Just as importantly, we listen.
Parents often provide the clues that help us understand what’s really happening during feeding.
The Good News
One of the reasons I enjoy caring for breastfeeding families is because the improvements can be life-changing.
When a tongue-tie or lip-tie is significantly contributing to painful breastfeeding, parents frequently tell us:
“I can finally breastfeed without dreading it.”
“The pain was almost gone immediately.”
“She’s finally transferring milk efficiently.”
“Feedings are shorter and much less stressful.”
“I was ready to quit breastfeeding, and now I actually enjoy it.”
Watching mothers regain confidence and begin enjoying feeding their baby again is one of the most rewarding parts of our job.
When Should You Schedule an Evaluation?
It may be time to schedule a comprehensive feeding evaluation if:
-
Breastfeeding remains painful after the first week or two
-
Your nipples are cracked, bleeding, or repeatedly damaged
-
Your nipples look flattened or “lipstick-shaped” after feedings
-
Your baby clicks while nursing
-
Feedings take 45 minutes or longer
-
Your baby always seems hungry
-
Your baby swallows excessive air
-
Feeding continues to be difficult despite excellent lactation support
One of the most common things parents tell me afterward is:
“I wish someone had explained this to us sooner.”
Early answers often prevent weeks, or even months, of unnecessary pain and frustration.
Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt every time your baby eats.
If you’ve been told the latch looks fine but you’re still in pain, trust your instincts. Many of the families we care for have already sought help before coming to our office. A comprehensive functional feeding evaluation often uncovers feeding problems that were previously overlooked.
Families travel to the Alabama Tongue-Tie Center from across the United States and around the world because they’re looking for experienced evaluations of tongue-ties, lip-ties, and breastfeeding difficulties.
Send us a message or call 205-419-4333 to schedule a consultation.
FAQ,s
Q1. Is breastfeeding supposed to hurt?
Ans. Some tenderness during the first few days after birth can be normal.
However, ongoing pain, cracked nipples, bleeding, or pain that causes you to dread feeding is not considered normal and deserves evaluation.
Q2. Can a tongue-tie cause nipple pain?
Ans. Yes.
Restricted tongue movement can prevent babies from transferring milk efficiently, causing them to compress or pull on the nipple instead of feeding comfortably.
Q3. Can a lip-tie make breastfeeding painful?
Ans. It can.
While tongue-ties are more commonly responsible for painful breastfeeding (and often it’s a hidden or less visible posterior tongue-tie), a restrictive lip-tie may make it harder for some babies to maintain a comfortable seal, increasing friction and causing babies to compensate during feeding.
Q4. Why does my nipple look flattened or “lipstick-shaped” after feeding?
Ans. That shape often suggests the nipple is being compressed during feeding instead of moving comfortably within the baby’s mouth. It’s one of the signs that feeding mechanics deserve a closer look.
Q5. We’ve already been told the latch looks good. Is another evaluation worthwhile?
Ans. It certainly can be.
Many of the families we see have already been told the latch appears normal. A functional feeding evaluation looks beyond appearance to determine how the tongue, upper lip, and feeding mechanics are actually working.
Still searching for answers?
You don’t have to continue breastfeeding in pain. We’d love the opportunity to help determine whether a tongue-tie, lip-tie, or another feeding issue may be contributing.
Send us a message or call 205-419-4333 to schedule a consultation.
Continue Reading
Parents who read this article also find these helpful:
You Deserve to Enjoy Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to nourish and bond with your baby – but it shouldn’t be something you fear because of persistent pain.
While not every painful latch is caused by a tongue-tie or lip-tie, these restrictions are among the most common causes of ongoing breastfeeding pain that I see. The encouraging news is that when they’re truly contributing to the problem, treatment often leads to meaningful improvements for both mom and baby.
If breastfeeding continues to hurt despite trying different positions, working with a lactation consultant, or being told everything looks normal, we’d love the opportunity to help you find answers.
Send us a message or call 205-419-4333 to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping your family.
Don’t Ignore Persistent Breastfeeding Pain
