9 Picks for Your Nipples, Because They Need Love Nursing or pumping moms, we gotchu
By Danielle Halibey l Photo by HATCH
Okay, so full disclosure, we’re not lactation consultants or OBGYNS, but we do have a vested interest in new moms and their boobs. As mamas ourselves, we’ve taken notes at all the basicbreastfeeding 101 classes and been shook after a nurse or IBCLC (international board-certified lactation consultant) grabbed our boob legit minutes after birth to get a “head start” on breastfeeding. (Kind of crazy when you’re still numb from anesthesia or shaking from said drugs, but we get it, activating nursing mode as soon as baby finds your nip has its advantages).
Thing is, even when the elusive *perfect latch* is achieved, nipple pain can still happen. Yes, evolutionarily speaking breastfeeding is a normal, natural thing, and, for sure, our bodies probably have some sort of internal blueprint to figure out what to do. But when you’ve kept a baby healthy and nourished on the inside for 9+ months and now they’re out the womb screaming and rooting around to find your nipple—their primary food source—to suck on for 10-20 minutes at a time, 8-12 times a day, yeah things can quickly go from okay, let’s gooo to WTH is happening. Chapped, chafing nipples, soreness, possible bleeding, and feeling wiped after just being milked, from the mouth, essentially, it’s a lot.
That’s why 1) Let’s normalize not making moms feel weird or wrong about having postpartum pain. Of course, feeling constant pain for weeks into this feeding journey should be checked out (and lactation consultants are miracle workers, truly); but, in the beginning, when you’re still getting the hang of nursing, pumping (because that’s a whole other thing to learn), or a blend of both, you can have discomfort without there needing to be a “root cause.” Sometimes it just f*cking hurts. 2) So, while you’re still working out the kinks and finding your rhythm with babe, you can and should feel free to embrace the nipple savers out there. From rescue balms and booby tubes, to help you cope with irritated nipples and serious soreness, this is the good stuff 👇
Simple salt water soaks (aka dipping your nipples into a bowl of warm water saline solution) after nursing are amazing. It’s a natural disinfectant, super skin hydrating, and promotes healing, which is great for cracked nipples. But since time is a precious, pretty nonexistent thing for mamas, this soothing saline spray can help out big time. Spray the sterile spritz directly onto your nipples between feedings and let it air dry. Doesn’t even need to be wiped off before baby eats next, because it’s basic salt water.
Let ‘em breathe after feeds, because the last thing you want is clothes sticking to your dripping nips and causing friction. After a good 15 minutes of air drying, you can change into a clean, cotton nursing bra that’s nice and breathable or you can keep your boobs out for a bit and just throw on a cozy cardigan like our Marlow Maternity Cartigan. It flows beautifully over the bump when you’re pregnant, but once your belly isn’t there, you can still get that gentle, non-constricting drape over the nips (especially when visitors are coming over).
These best-selling SoftShells are for when your nipples are sore and need a break from anything sucking on or touching your nips (gently or not). It’s worn between your breast and your bra, and the soft, silicone backs flex to match the natural contour of your boob. Our fave parts, though, are the vented holes that allow for air flow and the foam inserts that soak up your leaks. Being damp is not a good thing for your nipples as it can lead to a super uncomfortable fungal situation called thrush.
Ah, the Haaka—the suction-y contraption is a total lifesaver for nursing moms (and, well, milk saver), and the brand’s spin-off silicone milk collector is amazing, too. Not only can it catch your overflow, it can give you a perfect little pod of milk to pour over your cracked, sore, or otherwise uncomfortable nips. Seriously, when in doubt, just seek some relief from your own supply. #LiquidGoldfortheWin
A postpartum vibrator sesh is great, but have you ever used a vibe-looking thing like this to give your boobs a much-deserved massage? All you gotta do is apply pressure to your tatas using the scooped end, pushing out towards your nipples to help when you’re engorged, have some clogged ducts, want to improve your latch game or need to stimulate your letdown. It’s warming, too, if that helps!
Yeast (what causes thrush) thrives in warm, moist places. That’s why our HATCH anti-leak nursing pads are ideal to have on hand, because they keep you dry between feeds, provide a nice, little non-rubbing cushion for your sensitive nipples, and can be swapped out for another pair (ours come in a 3-pack!) as soon as they’re soaked. Just remember to keep all three washed and clean for when ya need ’em.
Sometimes, if your babe has a poor latch (and really, the seal isn’t perfect every time), you can get these wicked jolts called “vasospasms” caused by a restriction of blood flow to the blood vessels in your nipples. The pain is fleeting, but it’s rough. These all-natural flax-seed (read: no gel) filled cotton breast packs are awesome to place on top for comfort and support. Bonus: When your kids are older, you can use them as ice packs for their boo-boos OR warmed up for when your period cramps are beyond.
Pumping mamas, let’s talk. Friction is a killer, but hydrating nipples before you start pumping makes it easier. Just spray this natural pre-pump lubricant on, 1-2 inches from the shield part of the flange, and let pure, food-grade ingredients like organic fractionated coconut oil, organic olive oil, and organic sunflower seed oil nourish your knobs (and we mean that in the most empathetic way, really). Moms love how it moisturizes skin, prevents abrasions, and makes pumping a whole lot more tolerable.
And, of course, we couldn’t forget one of our own heroes—the HATCH Nip + Lip Rescue Balm. This lanolin-free, tropical butters and superfruit-stacked formula helps soothe irritated nipples and nourish dry, cracked lips. It’s the best multitasker for moms who nurse, and for those of us who do, we can’t leave the house without it.
