For new mom Shawna McIntee, it wasn?t just the centrefold-worthy size and tenderness of her breasts that caused concern the day her milk came in?it was the unexpected pain she felt in her armpits, which were covered in agonizing welts. ?I had milk backed up all the way under my arms,? says the Toronto mom. The pain was so intense that she had to walk around with her elbows in the air?for days. A lactation consultant assured her that the problem, though uncomfortable, was just a case of blocked milk ducts and could be solved with warm compresses. She was also advised to breastfeed frequently to help drain the excess milk.
A week later and the swelling was gone, but by then McIntee was coping with another painful problem: Her nipples were cracked, bleeding and sore. She discovered that her baby wasn?t latching properly. A poor latch is the No. 1 reason women experience pinching, burning pain and sore, cracked or bleeding nipples, particularly within the first few weeks, says Amanda Pendergast, a family doctor in St. John?s, NL. But a latch issue isn?t the only catalyst for soreness. Here are the four most common causes of breastfeeding pain and how to deal with them. Latch issues

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