Bottle-feeding babies uses his or her tongue to regulate the flow of milk. This same technique will cause friction on the nipple while breastfeeding. This, in turn, encourages the continued use of the bottle with less time breastfeeding.Pain caused by cracked nipples can sometimes lead to the cessation of breast-feeding. In addition to cracks, blisters or ulcers can form. Prevention
The nipples of nursing mothers naturally make a lubricant to prevent drying, cracking, or infections. Cracked nipples may be able to be prevented by:

Avoid soaps and harsh washing or drying of the breasts and nipples. This can cause dryness and cracking. Rubbing a little breast milk on the nipple after feeding to protect it. Keeping the nipples dry to prevent cracking and infection. Using seashells to keep nipples healthy through continuous contact with breast milkRoman chamomile is sometimes used as a remedy in alternative medicine to treat cracked nipples by a topical application. However, there is no scientific evidence for its efficacy, and is in fact considered unsafe for use during pregnancy. Treatment
Cracked nipples can be treated with 100% lanolin. Glycerin nipple pads can be chilled and placed over the nipples to help soothe and heal cracked or painful nipples. If the cause of cracked nipples is from thrush, treatment is usually begun with nystatin. If the mother is symptomatic then the mother and the baby can be treated. Continuing to breastfeed will actually help the nipples heal. A little breast milk or purified lanolin cream or ointment helps the healing process.
Breastfeeding professionals that include nurses, midwives and lactation consultants are able to assist in the treatment of cracked nipples.Advice from others is abundant but there have been some treatments that have been identified as not being effective in healing or preventing cracked nipples. These ineffective treatments are keeping the breastfeeding short and using a nipple guard. Keeping the feedings short so that the nipples can rest is not effective in relieving the pain of cracked nipples and it could have a negative effect on the milk supply. Nipple shields do not improve latching on. Epidemiology
In a survey in New York City, 35% of nursing mothers stopped breastfeeding after one week due to the pain of cracked nipples. Thirty percent stopped breastfeeding between weeks one and three. Another survey of breastfeeding mothers in Brazil reported that there was 25% higher risk of interruption of exclusive breastfeeding when the women had cracked nipples. Mothers with higher education levels were more likely to continue breastfeeding despite the pain of cracked nipples. Society and culture
The importance of preventing cracked nipples while breastfeeding has been reported. In an informal survey of breastfeeding in the UK, some mothers reported that they stopped breastfeeding because the cracked nipples made it too painful. See also
List of cutaneous conditions

References
Bibliography
Henry, Norma (2016). RN maternal newborn nursing : review module. Stilwell, KS: Assessment Technologies Institute. ISBN 9781565335691. Dennis, Cindy-Lee; Jackson, Kim; Watson, Jo (2014-12-15). "The Cochrane Library". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (12): CD007366. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007366.pub2. PMID 25506813. == External links ==