The Early Days:
What’s Normal and What’s Not
Those first few days of breastfeeding can come with tender and sensible nipples and a bit of discomfort — that’s normal as your body adjusts and you both learn together. We can even say that for the first weeks, whenever you latch your baby, you can feel some discomfort in your nipple, but it should completely disappear as fast as counting to 10.
All this should improve as time passes. But if you find yourself curling your toes with pain every time your baby latches, and it persists or increases throughout the feeding, or your nipples are cracked and bleeding — that’s a sign that something isn’t right.
Pain is not a “price you have to pay” to breastfeed. It’s your body’s way of asking for help.
The most common causes of persistent pain are a shallow or ineffective latch (by far the most common and sometimes even small adjustments in positioning can make a world of difference), tongue tie or other baby-related oral issues (like oral tension, muscle tightness, birth trauma), poor positioning or posture, engorgement or overfull breasts, infections (candida/mastitis), vasospasm, incorrect pump flange size or over pumping — and the list can still go on.
If you’re dreading each feed, please don’t push through alone. Reach out to a breastfeeding specialist early. Relief often comes faster than you think. With the right support, breastfeeding should feel comfortable and connected — not painful.”
Writen by Marcela Rios | Doula, childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor
Posted on Instagram @barbaracrepaldiphoto on Oct 30, 2025.
≫ These images are part of the “Breastfeeding Moment” project by photographer Barbara Crepaldi, with the support of doula Marcela Rios. The goal of this project is to share valuable information and create beautiful memories for the featured mothers. Every two months, Barbara Crepaldi Photography will host a raffle for subscribed women. The winner will receive a studio breastfeeding shoot, and her photos and story will be featured on Instagram and here.
For more information on how to participate, please visit the instagram page @BarbaraCrepaldiPhoto.
