Soothies Gel Pads

Everyone warned me that nursing would be painful, but I wasn’t prepared for just how much it was going to hurt.

After a couple of days, my nipples were so sore that it took my breath away when my son latched on, even though we had a proper latch—my poor nipples were just raw and sore from their newly acquired position of sole food provider. Thank heavens for Soothies, which made a huge difference!

These gel pads provide instant cooling relief (store them in your fridge or freezer in a baggie so they’re chilly and ready when needed) and can comfortably be worn inside your nursing bra. Each pad—they’re sold in pairs—can be used for a few days, to get you over the rough beginning stage of nursing. While some pain is normal, it should ease within a few days as your body adjusts to breastfeeding, so you shouldn’t expect to use Soothies for more than a few days. (If you’re experiencing severe pain or it isn’t subsiding on its own, get in touch with a lactation consultant. You can find one here.)

Soothies are a great item to have on hand before your baby arrives, so they are ready to go when you and baby get home. (A lucky friend of mine even got a pair from the hospital where she delivered!) You can pick them up at several different drugstores (both brick-and-mortar locations and online), and they’re well worth the small price for the amount of comfort they provide.