Breastfeeding in Grand Rapids, MI: Mastitis and Other Nipple and Breast Problems

Breastfeeding is common and strongly supported in Grand Rapids, with excellent resources at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health. While some nipple sensitivity is normal in the first days after birth, ongoing nipple or breast pain is not normal and usually means something needs to be adjusted or treated.

Cold West Michigan winters, dry indoor air, and layered clothing or tight bras can sometimes make breast and nipple problems more uncomfortable. Knowing what’s normal—and when to get help—can make breastfeeding safer and more comfortable for you and your baby.

When Breastfeeding Hurts: When to Get Help

Some tenderness is expected when your milk first comes in, but you should not have strong, ongoing pain.

  • If you feel significant nipple or breast pain, seek help right away.
  • Talk to your OB‑GYN, midwife, pediatrician, or a lactation consultant at a Grand Rapids hospital or clinic.
  • You can also contact the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids–area breastfeeding support groups for guidance.

Blood in Breastmilk

If you see a small amount of blood in your breastmilk due to nipple trauma:

  • It will not harm your baby.
  • You can usually continue breastfeeding unless the pain is unbearable.
  • If you are advised to pause breastfeeding on the affected side:
    • Express breastmilk (by hand or pump) to maintain your supply.
    • Discard the milk from the injured side until your nipples have healed and there is no more blood.

Preventing Nipple Problems

Correct latch and positioning are the most important factors in preventing nipple pain.

Positioning and Attachment

  • Make sure your baby:
    • Has a wide open mouth before latching.
    • Takes in a large portion of the areola, not just the nipple.
    • Has chin touching the breast and nose free.
  • If you’re unsure, ask for help from:
    • A lactation consultant at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.
    • A breastfeeding counselor through local WIC or Grand Rapids Public Health programs.

Nipple and Skin Care

To reduce nipple irritation:

  • Avoid soaps and shampoos on the nipples in the shower; rinse with water only.
  • Avoid nipple ointments, powders, and alcohol-based tinctures unless prescribed.
  • After feeds, let breastmilk or colostrum dry on your nipples—they contain natural anti-infective agents.
  • Change breast pads frequently:
    • Don’t use pads that keep moisture against the skin.
    • Consider washable cotton pads; avoid pads with irritating gels if you are sensitive.

Some parents in Grand Rapids, especially in winter when clothing is heavier, find:

  • Going without a bra at home can help sore nipples.
  • Large-breasted women are usually more comfortable with a properly fitted maternity or nursing bra (get fitted at a local maternity shop or hospital boutique).

Breast Shells

Breast shells can help protect sore nipples:

  • They are usually silicone with a firm dome that keeps clothing from rubbing the nipple and allows air circulation.
  • Use them according to instructions and clean them regularly.

Flat or Inverted Nipples

If you have flat or inverted nipples, you and your baby may need some time and practice to establish breastfeeding. With support, most families in Grand Rapids can successfully breastfeed with these nipple types.

Helpful strategies:

  • Breastfeed within the first hour after birth when your baby is most alert and ready to suck.
  • Use baby-led attachment in the first days—hold your baby skin-to-skin and allow them to find the breast.
  • If the baby cannot latch well at first:
    • Express colostrum or breastmilk by hand or pump.
    • Feed it with a cup, spoon, or clean finger if needed.
  • Avoid bottles and pacifiers early on, as they use a different sucking pattern and can confuse your baby.

Nipple Shields

Sometimes a clear silicone nipple shield can help with flat or inverted nipples:

  • Make sure the shield is the correct size for your nipple.
  • Baby should still be well-positioned and deeply latched, not just sucking on the tip of the shield.
  • Once your baby is sucking well and your nipple is drawn out, the shield can often be gradually removed with guidance from a lactation consultant.

Breast and Nipple Thrush (Yeast Infection)

Thrush is a fungal infection that can affect the nipples, breasts, and your baby’s mouth or diaper area. It can occur in the first weeks after birth or later, especially if you or your baby have recently taken antibiotics.

Signs and Symptoms of Thrush

For the breastfeeding parent:

  • Severe burning nipple pain during the entire feed and often between feeds.
  • Pain that does not improve with better latch.
  • Breast pain that may feel:
    • Sharp
    • Shooting
    • Burning
    • Stabbing
    • Radiating through the breast
  • Nipples may:
    • Be brighter pink than usual
    • Look shiny or flaky
    • Or look completely normal

For the baby:

  • Oral thrush:
    • White patches or spots in the mouth (tongue, gums, inner cheeks) that cannot be wiped away.
  • Diaper-area thrush:
    • A red rash with small red spots around it, often not improving with typical diaper cream.

If you suspect thrush, see your Grand Rapids pediatrician or family doctor for assessment.

Treating Thrush in the Breastfeeding Parent

Treatment usually includes:

  • Topical antifungal gels or creams (such as nystatin or miconazole) applied to the nipples after each feed.
  • In some cases, oral antifungal medication such as fluconazole may be prescribed.

Good hygiene is essential:

  • Air your nipples or go without a bra when possible at home.
  • Change breast pads frequently to keep nipples dry.
  • Wash hands thoroughly before and after touching your breasts, after using the bathroom, and after changing diapers.
  • Wash bras, nursing pads, and towels separately from diapers, in hot soapy water, and dry them in the sun when weather allows (even in Michigan winters, sunlight through a window can help).

Some people find it helpful to reduce sugar and yeast-rich foods in their diet, though this should not replace medical treatment.

Treating Thrush in the Baby

If you or your baby are diagnosed with thrush, you both must be treated to avoid passing the infection back and forth.

Treatment may include:

  • Nystatin liquid or miconazole oral gel for your baby’s mouth.
  • Antifungal ointments for thrush around the buttocks/diaper area.
  • Thorough cleaning and sterilizing of:
    • Pacifiers
    • Bottle nipples
    • Pump parts that contact milk

Sterilize dummies and teats by:

  • Using a steam sterilizer, or
  • Boiling them in water for 5 minutes.

If thrush is ongoing, try to replace pacifiers and bottle nipples weekly.

When It’s Not Thrush: Bacterial Infection of the Nipples

Sometimes a bacterial infection is mistaken for nipple thrush, or both can occur together.

  • If “thrush” treatments are not helping, your provider may prescribe:
    • An antibacterial ointment, or
    • A combined antibacterial and antifungal ointment (for example, mupirocin-based or combination creams).

Your doctor may take a swab of the nipple to identify the exact organism and choose the best antibiotic.

Dermatitis and Eczema Around the Nipple

Skin irritation (dermatitis) or eczema around the nipple and areola can cause significant pain.

Possible Causes

  • Ointments and creams used on the nipples.
  • Detergents or fabric softeners used to wash:
    • Bras
    • Breast pads
    • Undergarments
  • Sensitivity to:
    • Certain bra fabrics
    • Disposable nursing pads (especially those with moisture-absorbing gels)
  • Residue of solid foods in an older baby’s mouth during breastfeeding.

Nipple Eczema

Nipple eczema:

  • Causes inflammation of the skin with a rash that may be:
    • Dry and scaly, or
    • Weepy and crusty
  • Is often itchy and may affect:
    • One or both nipples
    • The areola

If the rash looks crusty, flaky, or oozing, a bacterial infection may also be present.

You may need:

  • Dietary changes (if you have known eczema triggers).
  • A short, targeted course of corticosteroid cream, prescribed by your doctor.
  • In some cases, a referral to a dermatologist in the Grand Rapids area.

Mastitis: Inflammation or Infection of the Breast

Mastitis is inflammation of the breast that can be:

  • Non-infective – due to blocked milk ducts and milk pooling.
  • Infective – due to bacterial infection, often entering through a cracked nipple.

If a blocked duct is not cleared, you may develop flu-like symptoms, including fever.

How Mastitis Develops

Blocked milk ducts cause:

  • Milk to pool in the breast
  • Inflammation, pain, and swelling

A cracked nipple can allow bacteria to enter the breast and cause infection.

Symptoms of Mastitis

The breast or part of the breast may become:

  • Hard
  • Tender or very painful
  • Hot
  • Reddened, sometimes with red streaks
  • The skin may look tight and shiny

You may also feel:

  • Very unwell or “flu‑like”
  • Have a fever over 100.4°F (38°C)
  • Experience body aches and fatigue

Risk Factors for Blocked Ducts and Mastitis

Factors that can lead to blocked ducts and mastitis include:

  • Poor drainage of the breast due to:
    • Poor latch or positioning
    • Limiting your baby’s time at the breast
  • Engorgement from:
    • Missed or delayed feeds
    • Long stretches between feeds (common during busy days or nights)
  • Tight or ill-fitting bras or restrictive clothing (common in winter layering)
  • Consistently lying in one position during sleep
  • Holding the breast too tightly during feeds
  • Trauma to the breast:
    • A kick from a toddler
    • Pressure from a seatbelt
  • Other contributing factors:
    • Use of nipple shields
    • Nipple trauma from poor latch
    • Frequently interrupting or cutting feeds short
    • Use of nipple creams that can harbor bacteria
    • Thrush or other secondary infections
    • Poor overall health or anemia

Preventing Mastitis

To help prevent blocked ducts and mastitis:

  • Wash hands thoroughly before touching your breasts, especially after diaper changes.
  • Ensure the baby is correctly positioned and well attached to help drain the breast effectively.
  • Avoid long gaps between feeds:
    • Feed on demand, including at night.
  • If you skip or replace a breastfeed with a bottle:
    • Express milk to avoid engorgement and maintain supply.
  • Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
  • Choose well-fitted bras; avoid underwire or very tight bands.
  • Avoid frequent use of nipple creams, ointments, and constantly damp nipple pads.
  • If you’ve been feeling unwell or very tired, ask your Grand Rapids provider to check for anemia or other health issues.

Treating Blocked Milk Ducts

It’s important to treat blocked ducts quickly so they don’t progress to mastitis.

Strategies include:

  • Continue breastfeeding, especially from the affected side:
    • Offer the affected breast first.
  • Apply warmth to the area for a few minutes before feeding:
    • Warm washcloth
    • Shower water
    • A warm (not hot) heating pad
  • Gently massage the tender area toward the nipple during feeds.
  • Use breast compression to help milk flow.
  • After feeding:
    • Apply a cold pack wrapped in a cloth to reduce swelling and discomfort.
  • Try changing feeding positions so your baby’s chin points toward the blocked area.

If the blockage does not clear within 8–12 hours, or you start to feel unwell or develop a fever, see your doctor immediately.

Treatment for Mastitis

Mastitis should be treated as soon as possible. Your doctor may treat you as if there is a bacterial infection even if it’s not yet clear.

Treatment usually includes:

  • Continuing to breastfeed or express from both breasts:
    • Start feeds on the affected breast to help clear the blockage.
    • Your breastmilk is safe for your baby, even if you have mastitis.
  • Gentle breast massage toward the nipple while feeding or pumping.
  • Antibiotics commonly used for mastitis (for example, flucloxacillin or cephalexin).
  • Anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen) and/or pain relief (such as acetaminophen/paracetamol), as recommended by your provider.
  • Rest and plenty of fluids—ask for help at home, especially in the early postpartum weeks.
  • Warm compresses or a warm shower before feeding to help milk flow.
  • Cold packs after feeds to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Varying feeding positions to improve drainage.

If you’re planning to wean, it’s important to wait until mastitis has fully cleared. Rapid weaning during active mastitis can increase the risk of a breast abscess, which may require surgical drainage at a Grand Rapids hospital.

Other Causes of Nipple and Breast Pain

Nipple Trauma

Nipple trauma can occur from:

  • Incorrect pump use
  • Not breaking suction before removing the baby or pump:
    • Always slide a clean finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth to break suction before removing them from the breast.

Nipple Vasospasm

Nipple vasospasm happens when blood vessels in the nipple tighten, causing:

  • Intense nipple pain during, after, or between feeds.
  • Pain that’s often worse in the cold (common during Michigan winters or in air-conditioned environments).
  • Color changes in the nipple:
    • White → purple or red → back to normal.

If you suspect vasospasm or have a history of Raynaud’s phenomenon, talk with your doctor, midwife, or lactation consultant. Keeping warm, avoiding cold exposure, and sometimes medication can help.

Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia)

Tongue-tie is when the thin piece of tissue under a baby’s tongue is short or tight, limiting tongue movement. It can:

  • Make it hard for the baby to latch deeply.
  • Cause nipple pain and trauma.
  • Lead to poor milk transfer and slow weight gain.

If you’re concerned about tongue-tie, consult your:

  • Pediatrician
  • Family doctor
  • Midwife
  • Lactation consultant

In some cases, a simple procedure (frenotomy) can be done by a trained provider in the Grand Rapids area to release the tie.

Local Breastfeeding Support in Grand Rapids, MI

If nipple or breast pain is not improving, get help early. Local resources include:

  • Hospital-based lactation services at:
    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department breastfeeding and WIC support
  • Grand Rapids–area IBCLC lactation consultants (check hospital websites or local directories)
  • Local breastfeeding support groups and peer counselors through community clinics and Grand Rapids Public Health programs

These professionals can:

  • Assess latch and positioning.
  • Help with pain, mastitis, thrush, and pumping.
  • Provide guidance on breastfeeding in cold weather, returning to work, and managing common Michigan seasonal challenges (like winter illnesses).

Key Points

  • Nipple or breast pain is not a normal part of breastfeeding. Get help if pain continues or worsens.
  • A small amount of blood in breastmilk from nipple trauma will not harm your baby.
  • Correct positioning and attachment are the most important steps to prevent nipple problems.
  • Thrush causes burning pain and may affect both you and your baby; both must be treated.
  • Blocked ducts and mastitis require prompt attention—continue feeding and seek medical care if symptoms don’t improve quickly.
  • In Grand Rapids, you have access to strong breastfeeding support through local hospitals, public health services, and lactation consultants.

If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is normal, contact your Grand Rapids healthcare provider or a lactation consultant—early support can keep breastfeeding more comfortable and successful.