The fact of the matter is that breastfeeding can be a challenge. While there are many benefits to breastfeeding for both the baby and for the mother, there are also difficulties that can make breastfeeding rather frustrating. One of the difficult parts about breastfeeding can be cracked nipples. While not every woman will have cracked nipples during breastfeeding, almost every woman that breastfeeds will have some sort of breast or nipple soreness during breastfeeding. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to deal with your cracked nipples during breastfeeding.

One of the best ways to deal with cracked nipples during breastfeeding is with a breast compress. The old wives’ tale about using cabbage leaves or tea bags to soothe cracked nipples actually has some merit to it. A herbal breast compress that contains cabbage leaves, black tea, and other herbs, such as calendula, might help you to deal with your cracked nipples while you are breastfeeding. In many cases, an herbal compress can be used either hot or cold, depending on which feels better to you. There are also breast compresses that are more like an ice pack or a heating pad and, while they don’t use herbs to help out the process of dealing with cracked nipples, may offer some soothing for your sore breasts.

There are other ways to deal with cracked nipples during breastfeeding as well. There are all sorts of lotions and creams that you can use. Some of these will be natural or herbal, while others will contain artificial ingredients like lanolin. Many women wish to stay away from lanolin, as there seems to be some question as to whether or not lanolin may contain traces of pesticides. The natural creams will tend to be based on shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, or other natural sorts of ingredients. They may, like the herbal breast compress, also contain calendula and other herbs as well.

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