Background
Leading health authorities all recommend exclusive breastfeeding to sixmonths’ postpartum. Whilemost women initiate breastfeeding,
many discontinue due to difficulties encountered rather than maternal choice. One common breastfeeding difficulty is painful nipples.
Research has identified poor infant positioning or latch as a common cause of painful nipples. While many different interventions
designed to reduce nipple pain in breastfeeding women have been evaluated, it is unclear which intervention is the most effective
treatment. An understanding of nipple pain and treatment options are needed to improve breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates
and to address systematically one of the most frequent difficulties encountered by breastfeeding women.