Wear a well-fitting, supportive nursing bra during the day and at night. If your nursing bra has a plastic insert or liner, remove it at night to allow air to circulate around your nipples. Properly positioning your baby on your breast will help avoid a lot of soreness. Your baby should be positioned on your breast so he or she is grasping the entire areola. If your nipples do become cracked or sore, nurse your baby for shorter feedings, but more often.
Breast milk is a natural cream and is encouraged as a coating for sore, cracked nipples.
Your physician may recommend Purelan TM cream to rub on your nipples and areola, but use it sparingly and do not wipe the cream from your nipple prior to feeding. If your breasts become engorged, apply warm towels to them for 10 to 15 minutes prior to feeding. Or you may take a shower and allow the warm water to flow over your breasts for 15 to 20 minutes. Nursing more frequently will help relieve engorgement. You may also apply cold packs to your breasts after nursing to help ease discomfort.