Nothing derails a feeding journey faster than latch pain. If you’re here, you probably know exactly how painful it can be—sharp, toe-curling discomfort that makes you question everything. You might be wondering, “Am I doing something wrong? I thought feeding was supposed to be natural?”

Here’s the truth: feeding your baby is natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy—especially without the village of support that once surrounded new parents. The problem isn’t you or your parenting skills. Painful feeding is almost always a sign that something needs adjusting, and there are solutions.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through the 4 most common causes of latch pain and share practical, actionable steps to fix them, so you can stop hurting and get back to the sweet, connected feeding experience you’ve been waiting for.

Cause #1: Nipple Pinching During Latching

Nipple pinching is the most common cause of latch pain, yet it’s often dismissed—especially if you’ve been told your latch “looks fine.”

Here’s what’s likely happening: instead of your baby opening wide and taking in enough breast tissue, their jaw clamps down tightly on your nipple. This feels like someone is stabbing your nipple with broken glass. Sound familiar? Your nipples aren’t being dramatic; they’re telling you something is wrong.

Clues Your Pain is From Pinched Nipples

✔  Pain fades after the first few seconds of feeding.

✔  Some feedings hurt, while others feel fine.

How to Fix it

💡  Try a chin-first latching technique: This method taps into your baby’s natural reflexes to help them open wide and latch deeply.

💡 Seek the right lactation support: Find a consultant who specializes in latch mechanics. If someone says “It looks fine,” but it doesn’t feel fine, trust yourself and find another expert.

Cause #2: Oral Function Challenges in Your Baby

Feeding involves over 20 muscles working together, and when something disrupts that balance, pain can result. When your baby can’t use some of their muscles effectively, it throws off the entire feeding process.

Factors such as a tongue-tie, body tension, or being born early can all impact how well your baby feeds. These challenges can make it harder for your baby to latch or coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. The good news? With the right support, these issues can be identified and improved, making feeding easier and more enjoyable for both you and your baby.

Clues Your Pain is From Reduced Oral Function

✔ Your baby’s tongue slides on your nipple during feeding.

✔ It feels like your baby is chewing instead of sucking.

✔ Feeding is noisy—choking, leaking, or clicking sounds are common.

How to Fix it

This isn’t a quick fix, but early intervention can make a huge difference:

💡 Find an oral function expert: Not all lactation consultants specialize in oral function, so make sure you ask about their training. 

💡 Assess for a Tongue Tie: Find a consultant who specializes in latch mechanics. If someone says “It looks fine,” but it doesn’t feel fine, trust yourself and find another expert.

💡 Build oral muscle tone: Exercises tailored to your baby’s needs can help improve coordination over time.

Cause #3:  Nipple Damage or Skin Irritation

Nipple damage or skin irritation can occur for various reasons when feeding babies. The most common causes come from repeated pinching due to a shallow latch or trauma from a pump that doesn’t fit properly or is turned up too high.

Other factors, such as moisture from milk or sweat, as well as the use of strong soaps or lotions on your skin, can worsen irritation. It’s important to address these issues quickly to ensure that feeding remains comfortable for everyone involved and to prevent bigger problems down the line.

Clues Your Pain is From Nipple Damage

✔ You notice cracks or blisters on your nipples.

✔ Cone-shaped nipples or circular rings on your areola after pumping.

✔ Skin irritation including flakes or small bumps that are not usually present.

How to Fix it

💡 Heal your nipples: Try lanolin-free balms or hydrogel pads. 

💡 Check your latch: Make sure it isn’t causing further damage.

💡 Seek Help: With an experienced IBCLC to help you get to the root of the issue. 

Cause #4:  Other Medical Issues

While the most common reasons for latch pain often stem from latch mechanics and oral function challenges, there are other medical issues that can cause discomfort during feeding, although these are relatively rare. Conditions such as vasospasms, Raynaud's syndrome, or infections can lead to pain that persists beyond the initial latch. These underlying issues can affect how your baby feeds and may require attention to ensure a comfortable feeding experience.

Clues Your Pain is From Other Medical Issues

✔ Pain feels burning or sharp and persists past feeding.

✔ You notice color changes in your nipples (white, blue, red) during or after feeding.

✔  You experience emotional discomfort, like sadness or anxiety, when your milk lets down.

How to Fix it

💡 Monitor your symptoms:  Keep track of when the pain occurs and any changes in your nipples’ color.

💡 Consult a healthcare provider: If you suspect a medical issue, seek guidance from a professional familiar with breastfeeding medicine. Your primary care physician may not be.

💡 Do Your Own Research: Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of research into breastfeeding issues, so don’t hesitate to seek second opinions if needed.. 

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Feed in Pain

Pain isn’t “just part of feeding,” and you don’t have to power through it. With the right support and guidance, there’s almost always a way to make feeding feel better—for both you and your baby. If someone is telling you that it's normal it's not. Normal and common are very different things, and that's just a clue that that person doesn't have the right set of skill to help you make feeding your baby feel better.

Need More help? Check Out These Related Blogs

Choosing Your Pump Size: 3 Easy Steps to Getting Your Perfect Fit: Learn how to make a personalized fit kit for your body to make sure you get the most out of your effort.

The Gaping Reflex: The Hidden Secret to Your Baby's Best Latch:Learn all about how to engage your baby's gaping reflex and get your best latch. 

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If you’re ready to see the Gaping Reflex in action and learn step-by-step techniques for activating this powerful reflex, download my free Reflexive™ Latching Guide here.