From the Research
Treatment for a nipple bite during breastfeeding should prioritize gentle cleaning, antibiotic ointment, pain relief, and measures to promote healing and prevent infection, as outlined in the most recent and highest quality study available 1. To manage a nipple bite during breastfeeding, several steps can be taken:
- Gently clean the injured area with warm water and mild soap
- Apply an antibiotic ointment like Bacitracin or Polysporin to prevent infection
- Use pain relief measures such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650mg every 6 hours or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400-600mg every 6-8 hours as needed
- Apply cold compresses for 10-15 minutes before nursing to reduce swelling and pain
- Apply medical-grade lanolin or purified lanolin (such as Lansinoh) after feedings to promote healing Some key considerations include:
- Continuing breastfeeding if possible, starting on the less painful breast first
- Pumping from the affected breast temporarily if the bite is very painful, while continuing to nurse on the uninjured side
- Expressing a small amount of milk before latching to trigger the let-down reflex and reduce the baby's aggressive sucking
- Seeking medical attention promptly if signs of infection develop, such as increased redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever, as antibiotics may be necessary 1. It's also important to note that warm water compresses are recommended for the prevention of nipple pain, and simply keeping the nipples clean and dry is recommended for the prevention of cracked nipples 1. Additionally, expressed breast-milk can reduce the duration of cracked nipples, and systemic antibiotics may be necessary if a positive culture for Staphylococcus aureus is obtained 1.