Postpartum breastfeeding nipple pain, you need to take care of it like this

Breast milk plays a key role in the healthy growth of children, so many women choose to insist on breastfeeding. However, many women will experience nipple pain during postpartum breastfeeding. This may be caused by damage or bites to the nipple tip, nipple dermatitis, and nipple thrush. Female friends should take effective preventive measures to address these causes so that nipple pain will no longer occur during postpartum breastfeeding.

1. Main symptoms

After giving birth, medical staff will let mothers start breastfeeding. At this time, with the newborn's first sucking, mothers will feel nipple pain in the initial stage. This is a normal phenomenon and it will be fine after a while.

If mothers feel more pain, it may be trauma or inflammation. Trauma refers to: papillary edema, cracking or scabbing, etc. Inflammation means that the nipple becomes pink and often feels hot.

2. Main reasons

First: Damage or bites to the tip of the nipple are mainly caused by incorrect latching of the newborn during the first breastfeeding. A common problem is that the newborn is unwilling to open his mouth wide, or he is asked to suckle before he opens his mouth wide. It is also possible that the mother's breasts are very swollen and the baby cannot suckle the areola. In this way, the newborn's gums will hold the nipple, and sucking at this time will cause the mother's nipple to crack.

Second: Nipple dermatitis. This is caused by breast allergies in mothers. The most common one is allergy to underwear made of chemical fiber, wool and other fabrics. Yuezi Impression reminds: If you are allergic to clothing, mothers should try to choose pure cotton underwear and bras. When wearing a bra, choose the right one, and don’t choose underwear that is too tight. You should also choose to wear a bra to sleep at night. This can effectively protect the breasts from damage.

Third: Nipple thrush is caused by the newborn being infected with yeast and transmitted to the mother. If you look at the newborn's mouth at this time, you will find white plaques on the mucosa. In severe cases, the newborn may refuse to breastfeed. If a mother is infected with nipple thrush, her nipples will become red, swollen, tender, and have other problems. Some white coagulation may also appear on the nipples, and she may even experience a sensation of itching, heat, pain, and peeling.

For this symptom, mothers should remember to pay attention to the hygiene of the nipples, clean the nipples with warm water, and it is best to cure the baby's thrush before breastfeeding.

3. How to deal with nipple pain during lactation:

1. Before breastfeeding, the mother should take a comfortable position and apply a hot and wet towel to the breasts and areola for 3-5 minutes. At the same time, 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. First breastfeed with the breast that hurts less, and make sure to put most of the nipple and areola into the baby's mouth. Also pay attention to changing the baby's feeding position to reduce the stimulation of the nipple caused by sucking.

3. If breastfeeding needs to be stopped due to other reasons, 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.

4. If nipple cracks have occurred, squeeze out some milk after breastfeeding, apply it on the nipples and areola, and wait for it to dry naturally.

Mothers 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 nipple pain is severe and unbearable, breastfeeding can be temporarily stopped for 24 hours, but the milk should be expressed and fed to the baby with a small cup and spoon.