important to prevent sore, cracked nipples. Some common problems with breast-feeding Breast-feeding should not be painful. If you develop breast problems whilst breast-feeding, seek to identify and rectify the problem. You may need or wish to speak to your doctor, midwife, health visitor or breast-feeding counsellor. What you do not want is to end up becoming stressed and dreading feeds, as this emotional factor will adversely affect your milk supply and make breast-feeding even more difficult. Breast discomfort and pain A normal full breast can be tender. In particular, breast engorgement can occur on days 2-7 after birth when milk comes in. If milk is not removed by a feeding baby then milk production will soon stop. The best way to minimise pain and engorgement is to give your baby frequent feeds. Some women need some painkillers for a few days. Some women benefit from expressing some milk by hand to ease any engorgement. Sore nipples The most common cause of this is excess suction (suction trauma). It is caused by a baby that has not latched on well. The baby needs a large mouthful of breast and areola, as well as the nipple. If the baby is held so that just the nipple is in their mouth, then sore nipples are more likely to develop. If you squeeze a little breast milk out of the nipple (this is called expressing milk) and allow it to dry in the air, this can help with sore nipples. Nipple creams are also