Breastfeeding For Sore, Cracked And Bleeding Nipples

Breastfeeding should be a pleasure for both the baby and you. It doesn't have to be painful! If you feel any discomfort, there is probably a problem that you need to fix.

At the very beginning of the process, it is possible to experience pain because the nipples are a very sensitive area, but it usually shrinks significantly by 7-10 days and disappears completely by the time the baby is 2 weeks old. If the nipples crack or begin to bleed and the pain persists after this period, it is necessary to seek help from a doctor or breastfeeding consultant, as the problem may be hiding elsewhere.

If you can't find a breastfeeding consultant (which is a common problem for our country), then try to find a mother who has been breastfeeding for a long time or is not breastfeeding for the first time. You need a meeting with a woman who knows how to monitor the breastfeeding process, avoids the use of pacifiers and has not had problems with sore, cracked and bleeding nipples. You will receive valuable advice!

What are the causes of the condition?

The main cause of sore, cracked or bleeding nipples is improper twisting by the baby. If when taking the breast it does not open the mouth wide to cover part of the areola of the breast, the nipples are squeezed by the palate and tongue and are injured.

In these cases, adjustments in breastfeeding will lead to the desired effect. However, this will take some time for both you and your baby to master breastfeeding and breastfeeding techniques. Sometimes even the slightest change in positioning will solve the problem.

More information about the correct positioning can be found in the topic "Preparation and postures for breastfeeding".

The breast pump can also injure the nipples if used incorrectly. Sometimes the injuries are the result of incorrect assembly of the pump, and in other cases the reason is that the silicone fuse, which softens the contact between the pump and the breast, is smaller, not corresponding to the size of the breast. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully choose the model of the pump and strictly follow the instructions for assembly and use.

Fungal infection in the baby's mouth (thrush) - it can transmit it to you during contact during breastfeeding, which could also cause pain and damage to the nipples. Signs of a fungal infection in breastfeeding mothers include itching, red and shiny skin in the breast area, sore nipples and severe chest pain during or after breastfeeding. To deal with the problem it is necessary to consult your doctor.

The nipples may be cracked or bleeding due to very dry skin or the presence of eczema. The latter can be manifested by flaking of the skin, red spots on it, itching or soreness. If you think you have a similar problem, you need to seek help from a dermatologist.

Another reason why sore or sore nipples may occur is the presence of a short bridle on the baby's tongue or upper lip. This means that the tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the oral cavity and the tissue connecting the upper lip to the outer surface of the upper crown are very short. This creates an obstacle to breastfeeding, as the baby cannot cover the breast well (due to the lack of sufficient mobility of the tongue) and create the necessary vacuum. If you have a short bridle, you need to discuss with your doctor the possibilities for its correction and whether this is necessary.

What can you do to relieve sore, cracked and bleeding nipples?

First of all, make sure that the baby is placed correctly on the breast. It must open its mouth wide when taking it to cover part of the areola. The coverage needs to be so deep into the oral cavity that the nipple reaches the soft palate and, together with the areola, fills the baby's entire oral cavity.

• Try different breastfeeding positions. You can find ones where the baby can latch more easily and correctly, and they turn out to be much more comfortable than others.
• Another way to deal with the problem is to use silicone nipple guards. However, keep in mind that this is a temporary solution and you should use it after consulting a doctor, as there are many conflicting opinions about the use of fuses.

Some studies show that silicone fuses lead to a drop in milk production and lower breast milk intake. It also turns out that contraceptives slow down milk flow and breastfeeding can take much longer. Another disadvantage is that the baby learns to feed from the silicone guard and the transition to breastfeeding becomes quite difficult, and in some cases babies flatly refuse to breastfeed.

• Wash your breasts thoroughly with water after breastfeeding to reduce the risk of infection if the nipples are cracked or bleeding. Avoid the use of soaps, disinfectants, perfumes, body lotions.
• Consult a doctor or dermatologist to recommend a suitable cream to apply to sore nipples after breastfeeding. Purified medical lanolin has a beneficial effect. Its use relieves pain and accelerates the healing process of wounds without the formation of crusts.

• Another option is the use of hydrogel dressings. They also have a calming effect and accelerate the healing of nipple wounds. You can apply them between meals to prevent the nipples from drying out. When applying a hydrogel bandage, be careful and try not to touch the nipple and areola of the breast with your fingers, as there may be bacteria on the hands that can get under the bandage. Avoid using this type of dressing if you already have a fungal or bacterial infection, as placing the nipple in a humid environment can make it worse.

• You can put a cold compress on the chest, it helps soothe the nipples and can reduce inflammation.
• Change breast pads designed for nursing mothers frequently.
• You can take a painkiller about 30 minutes before breastfeeding on your doctor's recommendation.

If, despite following all the recommendations, breastfeeding is still too painful, you may need to stop it for a few days until the nipples recover. During this period, you will need to express breast milk to maintain lactation. If you decide to do this with a breast pump, be careful and strictly follow the instructions for use so as not to hurt the nipples further.

Be sure to seek medical attention if you have a fever, feel lumps in your breasts, or have a bloody or purulent discharge. These are signs of infection. Bacteria can enter open wounds on the nipples, leading to mastitis.

Will my problem affect the baby?

The fact that your nipples are sore, cracked or bleeding will not affect the baby. It could absorb a small amount of blood, which is reflected in the bowel movements (you may notice traces of blood in the diapers), but this will not harm it. It is important for the baby to feed efficiently and take the breast well so that the nipples have a chance to heal.

More information related to difficulties during breastfeeding can be found in the topic "Breastfeeding with flat or sunken nipples".