Breastfeeding Latch Pain: What’s Normal, What’s Not & How to Help

Struggling with latch pain while breastfeeding? It’s frustrating, and if you're experiencing it, you’re probably wondering: What am I doing wrong?

It’s even more confusing when you hear that breastfeeding “isn’t supposed to hurt,” but then you’re surrounded by well-meaning friends who tell you, “It’s normal, you just have to push through it.”

So what’s the truth? In this blog, I’ll explain what causes latch pain, why there’s so much confusion around it, and what you can do to finally make feeding more comfortable.

Is Latch Pain Normal?

Latch pain is a confusing topic, largely because it’s so common. In fact, over 80% of parents leaving the hospital report experiencing latch pain, and it’s one of the top reasons people stop breastfeeding earlier than planned.

But here’s the key point: Just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s biologically normal. Let’s break it down:

Common means something happens a lot.
Normal means it’s biologically designed to happen.

Now think about this: Why would nature design a process that causes pain and damage to something as essential as breastfeeding? Open wounds on your body—especially on your nipples—are dangerous. They increase infection risk and could alert predators to the presence of a helpless newborn and parent. And it would reduce the likelihood of successfully feeding the baby because it hurts.

In nature, we rarely see latch pain or damage—but in humans, we’ve come to accept it as just part of the process. Why?

Because it’s so common.

Why Latch Pain is Common

Latch pain is so common because we teach latching to new parents in the same way over and over—and often, this method is the very thing causing the pain problem in the first place.

This is incredibly frustrating for parents. They think they’re doing it wrong, but in reality, they’re doing exactly what they’ve been taught. Then, when they’re told that breastfeeding “isn’t supposed to hurt,” it creates a loop that feels impossible to escape.

This loop causes a lot of problems.

You either push through the pain or stop earlier than you planned because you physically can’t—neither of which are healthy options.

It keeps you from enjoying feeding your baby and can leave you feeling guilty for not “pushing through,” like you missed out on being the “good parent” others expect.

You Aren’t Doing It Wrong

If you’re experiencing latch pain, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. This is so important to understand because many new parents feel like latching is the “report card” for their parenting skills. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Latching is natural, but it’s not an innate skill—it’s a learned one.

You’re not born knowing how to latch and feed a baby, and giving birth doesn’t suddenly trigger this knowledge. It’s something that needs to be learned. The only thing that’s innate is your deep drive to protect your baby—even if that means pushing through extraordinary pain.

When it comes to latching and feeding, there isn’t just one “right way” to do it. The way you were taught to latch isn’t THE way to do it—it’s A way. And if it’s causing you pain, then either it isn’t the right way for you and your body, or there could be underlying factors you should dig deeper into.

Think of latch pain as your body waving a red flag. It’s a signal to look deeper:

• Is this the wrong position for my body?
• Is the latch not deep enough?
• Could your baby’s tongue or mouth movement be causing the issue?
• Are there underlying medical concerns?

These are all things worth exploring to get you on the path to pain-free feeding, so feeding your baby is something you can truly enjoy.

What Latching Should Feel Like

If you’ve never latched a baby before, it’s hard to know what’s normal. Here's a helpful analogy:

Latching should feel like a firm but comfortable handshake:

• Not so light that you feel nothing.
• Not so strong that it causes pain.

In the first few days, some sensitivity is normal as your body adjusts to milk production. However, if you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s a sign that something isn’t quite right:

• Discomfort that lasts longer than a few days
• Cracked or bleeding nipples
• Pain during or after feeding

These symptoms indicate that something isn’t working as well as it should, and it’s important to take a closer look at what’s going on.

When You’re in Pain

If you’re already dealing with nipple pain or damage, here’s what you can do to start feeling better—and why it matters to address the root cause sooner rather than later.

Focus on Positioning First
The first thing you want to look at is your baby’s position. Make sure your baby is getting a deep latch by helping them open wide. A deep latch starts with a wide-open mouth—help cue that by gently touching your baby’s chin. If you’re not sure how to get this right, check out my blog on how to position your baby for a deeper latch (linked below). This is often the first step in alleviating pain.

Check for Other Causes of Pain
If you’re confident that your baby is opening wide and latching deeply, then it’s time to explore other reasons why you might still be feeling pain. Sometimes, it’s not about the latch itself. Oral function issues (like tongue ties) or other medical factors can be involved. Not all professionals are equally trained in infant feeding and lactation science, so make sure you’re working with someone who is.

Seek Expert Help If Needed
If the pain is still hanging around after making adjustments, reach out to a lactation consultant. They can help assess your situation and guide you through any other factors that might be getting in the way—whether that’s fine-tuning positioning, evaluating oral function, or addressing underlying medical concerns.

Why Early Help Matters

The earlier you address latch pain, the easier it is to resolve. If left unaddressed, pain can lead to damage, and that damage can snowball into even bigger challenges for both you and your baby.

I’ve seen what happens when that snowball gets too big—and trust me, it’s not a place you want to go if you can help it.

Lactation consultants can be an incredible resource, but if someone tells you to just “breathe through the pain” or “sing the ABCs,” that’s a coping mechanism—not a solution. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something needs attention.

Your lactation consultant’s job is to help you find a position that feels comfortable for both you and your baby—and to assess any underlying reasons that might be causing the pain in the first place.

Like any profession, there are amazing lactation consultants out there, but there are also some who might not be the best fit for your needs. If you feel like you’re not getting the support you deserve, don’t hesitate to find someone else who can help you.

Confidently Moving Forward

I know that latch pain can feel overwhelming, but please remember this: you are doing an amazing job, and all of this is part of a learning process.

Latch pain isn’t a reflection of your skill—it’s simply an indication that something may not be working as well as it could. And the good news? You don’t have to power through the pain. There are concrete steps you can take to make feeding feel better, allowing you to truly enjoy your feeding time and bond with your baby.

If the support you're currently receiving isn’t addressing your pain or offering practical steps to ease it, keep searching. It can feel like you’re on your own in this, but you’re not. There are so many amazing professionals out there who can help you feed with confidence.