Caring for your nipples when breastfeeding

• Do not use soap or shampoo on your nipples.
• Harsh abrasive conditioning or treatment of nipples is not required.
• If you think your nipples are flat or inverted, seek advice.
• If your baby is correctly attached at the breast you shouldn’t experience any discomfort.
• After each breastfeed, express a few drops of milk to smooth over your nipple and allow to dry. The milk moisturises the nipple and provides a protective barrier against infection.
• Change your nursing pads if they become wet through.
• If your nipples are tender, sore or damaged, it is important to seek assistance. Purified lanolin may be applied to nipples, using a cotton bud, if they are sore.
• Always handle your breasts with clean hands.
• Causes of sore nipples can be related to any of the following:
  • poor positioning of your baby
  • tongue-tie (when the 'string of tissue' attached to the tongue is short and restricts the tongue’s movement which may affect breastfeeding)
  • infection
  • skin conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis or eczema 
  • vasospasm (tightening of the blood vessels in the nipple).
• If your nipples become damaged, express milk to feed your baby while you seek assistance from a lactation consultant.

Where to get help

Perth Metropolitan – Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS)

• CAHS child health nurses offer child health appointments (external site), including an initial home visit. The appointments occur at 8 weeks, 4 months, 12 months, and 2 years, with additional appointments if needed and drop-ins at the child health centre.
• Your CAHS Child Health Nurse can refer you to the Child and Adolescent Community Health (CACH) breastfeeding support service.
• For more information, refer to your purple book and magazine (external site) series.

Regional WA - Western Australian Country Health Service (WACHS)

• WACHS child health nurses offer child health appointments (external site), including initial home visit. The appointments at 8 weeks, 4 months, 12 months, and 2 years, with additional appointments if needed and drop-ins at the child health centre.
• Email: WACHSLactationSupportService@health.wa.gov.au – WACHS LC Telehealth Support Services, up to 6weeks and 6days after the birth of baby
• For more information: refer to your purple book and magazine (external site) series

Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)

• Phone: 1800 686 268 – 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Visit the ABA website (external site)

Breastfeeding Centre of WA

• Counselling and appointments available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
• Phone: (08) 6458 1844
• Visit HealthyWA for more information about Breastfeeding Centre of WA (external site)

Ngala parenting line

• Phone: 9368 9368 – 8.00 am to 8.00 pm 7 days a week
• Outside metropolitan area – Phone: 1800 111 546 (free from land line only)
• Visit the Ngala website (external site)

You can also:

• see your doctor.
• book an appointment with a private lactation consultant (external site).
• visit healthdirect (external site) or phone: 1800 022 222

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This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.