Cracked nipples while breastfeeding

When mothers are breastfeeding their babies, they must pay attention to the feeding method, otherwise it is easy for the baby to suffer from indigestion or cause some pain in their breasts. The nipple on a woman's breast is a very fragile part. Once stimulated, the nipple is prone to rupture, which will seriously affect the ability to breastfeed. So what should you do if your nipples rupture during breastfeeding?

1. What are the causes of nipple cracking?

When a mother is breastfeeding, the skin on the nipple is thinner and more resilient than other skin on the breast, and is prone to cracking when it is damaged by the outside world. Causes of nipple cracking during breastfeeding include:

1. Incorrect feeding method during breastfeeding: Most new mothers have no experience and do not put the nipple and most of the areola into the baby's mouth during feeding, causing the baby to suck on the top of the nipple for a long time, rubbing multiple times, causing nipple cracks.

2. Excessive milk secretion: Large amounts of milk secretion and milk overflow will cause the nipples to be in a humid environment for a long time, which will also cause damage to the surrounding tissues.

3. Stimulation from detergents and chemical products: Most mothers pay more attention to personal hygiene and wash their underwear relatively frequently. However, if they do so frequently, certain chemical substances will remain on the clothes, which will cause certain irritation and damage to the breasts when worn.

2. What should I do after my nipples are cracked?

1. Before each feeding, apply a warm towel to the nipples and massage them to promote milk secretion. The secreted milk can soften the nipples and areola, making it easier to feed.

2. When feeding, make sure the baby holds the nipple and most of the areola in his mouth, and change the feeding position frequently to reduce the secondary damage to the nipple caused by strong sucking.

3. After the baby is full, remember not to pull the nipple directly out of the baby's mouth. Instead, gently tap the baby's jaw and wait for the baby to open his mouth slightly before taking out the nipple.

4. After breastfeeding, wiping the nipples and areola with a little milk can also promote wound recovery.

5. If the pain from the wound is unbearable, you can use a breast pump to extract milk for feeding, but you must not stop breastfeeding to prevent mastitis or a decrease in milk supply.

If a mother's nipple breaks while breastfeeding, she must take effective measures. Otherwise, it will not only affect her physical health, but also delay the breastfeeding of the newborn, and in severe cases may cause local infection and ulceration. To prevent nipple cracking during breastfeeding, the correct feeding posture and method are the most important, such as adjusting the feeding posture and controlling the feeding time. If a more serious infection occurs, you must be admitted to the hospital for medical treatment immediately.