Why is breastfeeding painful?

Here is some good news: breastfeeding is not meant to be painful! Pain during breastfeeding is caused by the baby latching poorly onto the breast. To get a good latch:
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<li>With any position you choose to hold your baby, turn your baby completely onto his side, “tummy to tummy”, so his mouth is directly in front of the breast and he does not need to turn his head at all to get to the nipple.</li>
<li>Position your baby with his nose to your nipple so he has to “reach up” slightly to grasp the nipple. His chin should touch the breast first, and then grasp the nipple.</li>
<li>Touch your nipple to the skin between his nose and lips. Your baby will open wide and you can bring him on to the breast. Wait until he opens WIDE (like a yawn) and his tongue comes forward. He should get the nipple and a “big mouthful” of the areola (the dark brown part of the breast) in his mouth. Bring the baby to the breast and not the breast to the baby!</li>
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