Perhaps there are many possible factors such as:

1. GROWTH HORMONES (GH) or somatotrophin and chicken prolactin/ovine prolactin administered by the poultry manufacturing industry in chickens, subsequently affects the pituitary gland to produce breast milk hormones (the fact that I've changed my diet from an Organic Raw Vegetarian to Semi Vegetarian which includes fish and poultry of non organic producers) which increase breast size in humans this would be chicken prolactin which increases the size of chickens and 'fattens' the chickens; (check out: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5053391.html)

2. GLAND STIMULATION from SUCKING THE BREASTSduring love making. The blood flow stimulates the glands of the breasts.;

3. ENLARGED PITUITARY CONDITION -- The pituitary gland in addition to producing other hormones for glands like the adrenals (ACTH), growth hormones (GH), thryoid (TSH), follicles for hair (FSH), to name a few, also produces the prolactin hormone (PRL) for breast milk growth. An imbalance can cause a tumor in the Pituitary Gland called hyperprolactinaemia.

4. MEDICATIONS such as metoclopramide or thioridazine cause increased levels of the prolactin hormone;

5. DUCT ECTASIA in older women can increase milk secretion in the breasts.

Breast tenderness is as a sign of pregnancy.

From a mild tingling in the breasts, a gentle swelling, or an aching soreness, the breasts go through changes in response to the shifting hormones in your body that are an early sign of pregnancy.

Small "bumps" on your nipples as a sign of pregnancy.

You may never have noticed before, but there are small bumps on your nipples, called "Mongomery's tubercles." These become much more pronounced during pregnancy and secrete an oily fluid in preparation for breastfeeding. Nipples also change color during pregnancy, becoming a darker brown versus a lighter pink before pregnancy.

• I am 5 weeks pregnant and my nipples are very hard, big and they are very itching for about last 4 days.

• It is a real possibility. I am 10 weeks pregnant and hard nipples were my very first symptom. Before I even missed a period my nipples were flying at full staff and itching like crazy.

• Hard nipples on their own are not a sign of pregnancy but if you are pregnant you may well get hard nipples.

• Well, I'm five weeks pregnant, and hard nipples were my first sign. Really the only way to tell if you're pregnant is to take a test.

PRO-LAN, omg, it works so good and if you are breastfeeding, which I'm sure you are because of this question, it won't hurt the baby, so you don't have to wash it off before feeding. This stage will pass, though, in the meantime find some pro-lan.

If you are breast feeding perhaps the baby is not latching on properly. Check with your doctor to see if there are any local breast feeding clinics you can attend.

If you are not breast feeding contact your doctor immediately. There can be many causes for bleeding nipples, and breast cancer is one of them.

Answer

Try "hydrous lanolin" cream. Can get it in a drug store, or in a music store (it's used on trombone slides).

FULL POTENTIAL ANSWER:

• Hand express or pump a few minutes before the feeding. This will elicit letdown and elongate the nipple for the baby so that he does not nurse so aggressively.

• Nurse on the least sore side first as this is the side that your baby will nurse more aggressively on.

• You may want to take a mild pain reliever such as Tylenol or Advil about 30 minutes prior to nursing or around the clock until your discomfort lessens or disappears. Both of these drugs are compatible with breastfeeding.

• Open both sides of your bra during the feeding.

• Consider applying warm, wet tea bags to your nipples for a short time after nursing. Many moms report that this can be very soothing.

• Warm, moist compresses (wet washcloth works well) often bring relief to nipples both before and after nursing.

• After feeding, pat dry your nipples and express some breast milk to rub into them (this should be avoided if you have thrush as it thrives in milk). Breast milk has Vitamin E in it which is very healing to the skin. Note: Avoid applying Vitamin E oil from a capsule to your nipples as this can be toxic to your baby!

• You also may want to apply a 100% USP modified lanolin preparation, such as Purelan 100, to your nipples after nursing. Apply enough to thoroughly coat the entire nipple/areola area. This does not need to be washed off prior to nursing as it is safe for baby to ingest. Recent studies seem to indicate that using 100% lanolin may hasten the healing process by maintaining the internal moisture of the skin. Avoid other creams and ointments sold for the treatment of sore nipples as these may actually impede healing by preventing air circulation and drying out the skin. Some of these other preparations may also be toxic to your baby and will need to washed off prior to nursing. Over-washing of the nipple area results in a loss of the natural lubricants that protect it and provide it with antibacterial properties.

• Some moms find a hydrogel pad soothing and healing to nipple trauma.

• Change your nursing pads immediately once they become even slightly damp. Moisture up against your nipples can prolong healing. If your pad sticks to your nipple moisten it with water before attempting to remove it. Also avoid nursing pads with plastic linings. They prevent the flow of air which is essential to healthy nipples. Stick with 100% cotton pads or pads made of plain paper.

• If your nipples become so sore that you cannot tolerate the pressure of your bra or clothing on them and it is painful for you to hold your baby, you might want to consider wearing breast shells inside your bra to protect your nipples as they heal.

• If you find it impossible to nurse your baby due to nipple soreness, you may opt to feed him with an alternative feeding device such as an eye dropper, medicine dropper, feeding syringe, soft, flexible medicine cup, spoon, or nursing supplementer , attached to your finger, while your nipples heal. Bottles are best avoided due to the risk of nipple confusion, especially if your baby is less than 4 weeks old. If a faulty latch-on is the cause of your nipple soreness, introducing a bottle may result in an even poorer latch-on as your baby will then try to latch on to your breast tissue as he does the bottle nipple. Contact a La Leche League leader or lactation consultant for assistance in using one of these devices. If only one nipple is very sore, you may decide to feed your baby from the well side only while pumping the other side. The baby can get all that he needs from one side as long as you allow him to nurse frequently. You will want to pump the other side as often as your baby nurses for 10-15 minutes each time. If taking the baby off both breasts and instead pumping for a few days is necessary, it's preferable to use a hospital-grade double, electric pump which will maintain your supply more efficiently till your baby is back to nursing.