Why does my breast hurt when my baby is feeding?

If the mother experiences breast pain while the baby is feeding, she should pay attention and adjust the breastfeeding method, especially avoiding incorrect feeding methods. If breastfeeding is improper, it will not only cause the baby to inhale more air, which may cause spitting up, but it will also easily cause certain damage to the mother's nipples, lead to nipple cracking, and even induce mastitis.

Why does my breast hurt when my baby is feeding?

1. Improper sucking

The most common cause of breast pain after feeding during lactation is improper sucking by the baby. When the baby sucks the nipple, he does not put enough of the areola into his mouth, but only holds the top of the nipple. Repeated sucking will cause nipple pain.

2. Nipple cracks

After breastfeeding, the mother may feel a pricking pain in the nipples. This may be because the skin of the new mother's nipples is relatively delicate and cannot withstand the stimulation of the baby's sucking, especially when there is insufficient milk or the nipples are too small or inverted. As the baby sucks and bites the nipples hard, the nipple epidermis is soaked in saliva and becomes softened, peeled off, and eroded, forming cracks of varying sizes. In addition, if the mother washes the nipples excessively, the nipple skin will crack. If the cracks are severe, the nipples may ulcerate and become infected, causing breast pain after breastfeeding.

3. Lactation pain

If you feel breast pain after feeding, it may be lactation pain. After feeding the baby, the breasts are emptied and the mammary glands will produce milk vigorously, especially at night when prolactin is high and milk secretion is large. The pain will be more obvious, which is a cramping pain like a needle prick, and it hurts all the time. It is better than the pain of milk blockage, but it is not very comfortable either. It is still painful enough to keep people awake.

4. Mastitis

Mastitis during breastfeeding can also cause breast pain. This is caused by blocked milk ducts, milk accumulation, direct bacterial invasion, or bacteria invading the milk ducts from cracks in the nipple or areola and infecting the mammary lobules along the lymphatic drainage ducts, causing the breasts to feel like they are being pricked by needles and to hurt when touched.

What to do if your breasts hurt after breastfeeding

1. Hot compress

Before breastfeeding, breastfeeding mothers can take a comfortable position, apply a hot and wet towel to the breasts and areola for 3-5 minutes, and massage the breasts to stimulate the milk ejection reflex and squeeze out some milk. This will soften the areola and make it easier for the baby to suck.

2. Correct breastfeeding posture

If the breasts are sore after feeding during lactation, the mother should adopt the correct breastfeeding posture, first breastfeed with the breast that hurts less, and pay attention to putting most of the nipple and areola into the baby's mouth. The baby's feeding position should also be changed regularly to reduce the stimulation of sucking on the mother's nipple.

If you want to stop feeding your baby, the mother should gently press the baby's lower jaw with her index finger, and the baby will automatically spit out the nipple. Never pull out the nipple forcibly, as this will damage the nipple.

3. Apply milk

If a breastfeeding mother experiences breast pain after feeding or if her nipples are chapped, she can squeeze out some milk and apply it to the nipples and areola after breastfeeding and wait for it to dry naturally. Never wash the nipples with soapy water, because there is a gland in the nipple or areola that secretes oil to protect the nipple and prevent cracking. Washing the nipples with soap will remove this natural protective film.

4. Wear a cotton bra

If the mother's breasts are sore after breastfeeding, she should wear loose underwear and cotton bras, and put on nipple shields when necessary to facilitate air circulation and promote the healing of nipple cracks. If the nipple pain is severe and unbearable, breastfeeding can be suspended for 24 hours. During the time when feeding is not possible, the milk should be expressed and the baby can be fed with a bottle.