During pregnancy, it is normal for your nipples to grow and protrude, causing them to feel tender. You can get immediate relief from this discomfort by applying a cold compress to your breasts or by taking a warm shower. Try your best to prevent abrasive contact from your bra, clothing, seat belt, and shower stream to avoid further irritation. If your nipple pain is causing you a lot of discomfort, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Seeking Immediate Pain Relief
-
Take a warm shower to ease tension in your breasts. A warm, steamy shower can help reduce your overall body tension, easing pain in your breasts. The heat can also temporarily relax the milk ducts in your breasts, which may ache as they stretch and grow during pregnancy. Take a warm shower for approximately 10-15 minutes when you want relief from nipple pain. [1] X Research source
- Lower the temperature of the water in your shower if you start to feel light-headed or dizzy.
- Taking a warm bath for 10-15 minutes can also provide relief. To avoid an accident, ask a loved one to help you out of the bathtub once you are done bathing. [2] X Research source
-
Apply a cold compress to your nipples to soothe them. To ease the irritation of sore nipples during pregnancy, you can ice them. Lie down and place a towel over your chest, then apply a large bag of ice cubes or a flexible gel ice pack over your breasts. [3] X Research source Avoid using a cold compress for more than 20 minutes at a time, and remove it if you experience skin irritation or a burning sensation. [4] X Research source
- A bag of frozen peas can also make an excellent cold compress in a pinch.
Advertisement -
Ask your healthcare provider if you can take acetaminophen to ease the pain. Any medication that you take during pregnancy should be approved by your healthcare provider. Acetaminophen can be safe to take during pregnancy in limited doses. Talk to your healthcare provider about your discomfort and follow their specific advice for pain relief. [5] X Research source
- Make sure that you don't take more than your doctor's recommended dose.
- Ibuprofen and other over-the-counter painkillers should be avoided due to the risk of certain birth defects and complications during delivery. [6] X Research source
-
Apply a soothing cream to your nipples to reduce irritation. Purchase a nipple cream that contains natural ingredients like calendula, which will help to ease and heal irritated nipples. Apply this cream after showering or bathing, before getting dressed. The cream will provide a barrier between your nipple and the material of your bra or clothing, reducing friction and irritation. [7] X Research source
- These creams can be used by both expectant and nursing mothers as they only contain ingredients that are safe for your baby.
- Some ingredients or chemicals in creams that are not designed for use on nipples may cause further irritation.
-
Stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. When you're dehydrated, your body retains more water, which results in swelling. When you're pregnant, swelling can affect your breasts, making them feel sore. [8] X Research source
- Eating less salt will also help you avoid dehydration.
- Limit your caffeine consumption, if you're having any. Caffeine causes you to urinate more, which can make you more dehydrated. [9] X Research source
Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Avoiding Friction
-
Wear a sports bra to reduce movement and irritation. Movement of your breasts during the day can cause you nipple pain during pregnancy. Wear a sports bra to keep your breasts close to your chest wall and to prevent them from shifting or jiggling. As your breasts grow during pregnancy, purchase a larger bra to ensure your comfort. [10] X Research source
- Look for a bra without front seams to avoid friction on your nipples.
- Purchase a larger size when your bra starts to cause you discomfort or digs into your skin.
- Use a hypo-allergenic laundry detergent to wash your bras and other clothing. This helps avoid an allergic skin reaction that can worsen your soreness.
-
Invest in a cotton maternity sleep bra for support and comfort. At night, movement and changes in sleep position can cause your nipples further irritation and soreness. Gently keep your breasts in place with a wire-free, cotton bra designed specifically for expectant mothers to sleep in. These bras are stretchy enough to pull on without the need for hooks or snaps. [11] X Research source
- Purchase maternity sleep bras online or in maternity stores.
-
Wear breast pads to keep your nipples from rubbing against your bra. Cotton breasts pads are designed to help breastfeeding mothers prevent leaks. These pads can also be used during pregnancy to shield your sensitive nipples from your bra given their soft texture. Gently tuck the pads into the front of your bra to surround and cover your nipples. [12] X Research source
- Breast pads are sold in disposable and washable models.
-
Wear loose-fitting clothing to maintain your comfort. Tight tops will put pressure on your breasts, irritating your nipples. Wear loose shirts, blouses, and sweaters to prevent unwanted friction against your nipples. Buy large, flowy clothing that won't rub or cling against your breasts.
- Shop for larger clothes at maternity stores or in plus-size clothing stores.
-
Hold your seat belt in place to avoid friction against your nipples. Regardless of any awkwardness and discomfort, it is important to always wear your seat belt when pregnant to protect you and your baby. The shoulder strap of your seat belt should be positioned between your breasts and over the side of your stomach. To prevent unwanted friction, hold the belt in position between your breasts to keep it from coming in contact with your nipples. [13] X Trustworthy Source March of Dimes Nonprofit organization devoted to improving the lives of mothers and babies. Go to source
- Never place your shoulder strap under your arm, which will compromise your safety in the event of an accident.
- Your lap belt should always be secured under your stomach and above your hips.
-
Adjust your shower stream to prevent direct contact with your nipples. When you are showering, the water spray may be hard on your sensitive nipples. Try angling your shower head up so that it does not hit your breasts directly. If the stream is aimed towards your collarbone, the water will flow downwards gently and cause less pain to your nipples. [14] X Research source
- If you can't reposition your shower head, try covering your nipples with your arm when you are facing the shower stream.
-
Ask your loved ones to be gentle with physical contact. Loving gestures like hugs can be painful when you are experiencing nipple pain. Ask your loved ones to avoid this kind of contact with you while you are in pain, or to be very gentle. This same rule should apply to intimate or sexual encounters with a spouse or partner. [15] X Research source
- Open communication about your needs is the best way to avoid further irritation or discomfort.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
-
Thanks
- If the pain in your nipples gets worse as your pregnancy progresses, or if they bleed, contact your healthcare provider.Thanks
- Tell your healthcare provider if you have had breast surgery or implants.Thanks
Advertisement
Warnings
- During pregnancy, it's unlikely that you'll develop a nipple infection. However, it's common to experience infected nipples while breastfeeding. [17] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/aches-pains/pregnancy-symptoms-complaints-breast-pain/
- ↑ https://www.self.com/story/pregnancy-pains-causes-and-treatment
- ↑ https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/aches-pains/pregnancy-symptoms-complaints-breast-pain/
- ↑ https://www.sapnamed.com/blog/ice-vs-warm-compresses-for-pain-when-to-use-them/
- ↑ https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/aches-pains/pregnancy-symptoms-complaints-breast-pain/
- ↑ https://www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/acetaminophen-really-safe-pregnancy
- ↑ http://americanpregnancy.org/breastfeeding/nipple-pain-remedies
- ↑ https://www.healthypregnancy.com/tips-relieving-breast-pain-pregnancy/
- ↑ http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/dehydration-pregnancy/
- ↑ https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/breast-tenderness.aspx
- ↑ https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/breast-tenderness.aspx
- ↑ https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/breastfeeding/nipple-pain-remedies/
- ↑ https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/seatbelts-during-pregnancy.aspx
- ↑ https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/breast-tenderness.aspx
- ↑ https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/breast-tenderness.aspx
- ↑ https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/breast-tenderness.aspx
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3784111/
About this article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 20,391 times.
Advertisement
86%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
