Then if you have the great misfortune to have thrush going on, the pain is off the charts! Painted the nipples bright purple with gentian violet and my son's mouth too. We both looked like clowns!! Got past that and smooth sailing for the rest of that time. Definitely worth all the effort and ouch. My lady boss asked me when I went back to work after the first year with my son, why he was never sick. Because nursing!!