Many new mothers develop cracked nipples while breastfeeding. This is especially true in the first few weeks after childbirth. This is bad both for a woman who experiences unusual pains, and for a child who, feeling the mother's condition, becomes irritable and loses sleep. Cracks appear on the nipples when feeding for a reason, there are reasons for this, which will be discussed in detail in this material.
Reasons
First of all, the appearance of cracks may be due to the irregular shape of the nipples. In some girls, they seem to be pressed inward. Such nipples are also called underdeveloped. Perhaps the reason for this is too delicate skin in this area, and the actions of the baby destroy its integrity. Sometimes the nipples are weakly excitable and give milk poorly. Then the baby has to make an effort to get his own food, as a result of this, the skin does not stand up and cracks.
Thrush, which is so common among babies, can be a serious reason that a woman has cracked nipples with breastfeeding.
It is not recommended to wash your breasts too often, especially with soap, as this causes the skin to dry out and become more vulnerable. Also, dryness can be caused by the use of various ointments that are recommended by modern doctors.
Another big reason is poor attachment. This is the mistake of most young mothers. But the woman cannot be blamed for this. Here, rather, an oversight of the doctors of the maternity hospital, who could not teach the young mother all the features of caring for a small child.
You can not take the breast from the baby while he is still suckling. This is harmful to the child, as he has not yet had time to fully satiate himself. It is dangerous for the mother because the baby does not have time to open its jaws, which means it holds the nipple and, only by stretching it greatly, releases it. As a result, the integrity of the skin can be disrupted. This trick is especially dangerous with babies who already have their first teeth.
Perhaps the mother is simply expressing milk incorrectly after feeding and herself provokes the appearance of cracks in the nipples of the breast. And the last reason is hypovitaminosis: a woman may simply not have enough vitamins.
Types of cracks
Cracked nipples while breastfeeding can vary. Highlight:
- multiple and single;
- deep and superficial.
The appearance of cracks can be observed both on one nipple and on twoat the same time.
Even if a young mother sees a crack on her chest for the first time, she will understand what is wrong. In fact, this is a cut that originates in the center and ends at the periphery. There may be discharge from the cracks: in most cases it is just an ichor, but sometimes it comes to the point that blood is flowing.
It's hard to imagine what a woman experiences when someone tries to touch a painful place. In fact, it is an open wound. Now imagine that she still has to feed the baby so that milk does not stagnate in her breast. Probably, not every adult man would dare to do this. Most mothers in such a period are forced to refuse to feed at least a sick breast. They have to pump regularly.
However, pain is not the worst thing that can happen. Through the resulting wounds, an infection is likely to enter - not only bacterial, but also fungal. As a result, inflammation begins, the development of mastitis is not excluded. From the cracks in the nipples during feeding, pus may stand out, and ulcers or even erosions cannot be ruled out at the site of the wound. Therefore, you should not wait until it heals on its own.
Should I feed more
If you see that the crack is not too deep, then continue to apply the baby. And in order to at least slightly alleviate your fate, purchase special silicone pads at the pharmacy. This is a kind of barrier between your already suffered breasts and the lips of a child. So it is much easier to endure his sucking. The risk that the woundwill begin to increase, decrease, as well as the possibility of catching an infection. Please note that the pad must fully match the length of your nipple. Such a device will not help if the wound is too deep and bleeding.
When the cracks are deep, it is better to stop applying the baby. It will be much easier to just express milk, and then give it to the baby. It is important to understand how to treat cracked nipples. With the right therapy, breastfeeding can be safely continued over time.
How to heal cracked nipples
It is pointless to start treatment without knowing the cause of the cracks, because the chest will be injured again and again.
If there are cracks on the nipples, what should I do? First of all, you need to make sure that the baby really captures the breast correctly when feeding. Even if your nipples are damaged, if you attach the baby correctly, the pain will almost completely disappear.
Be sure to go to a consultation with a specialist who will be able to determine the presence of an infection. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then treatment should be started immediately. Now young mothers are offered many drugs and ointments that are absolutely safe for a breastfed baby.
You don't have to run to the bathroom after each feeding and wash your breasts. If you find streaks, then just use a napkin or replace the gasket. This manipulation is aimed at preventing the creation of a humid and warm environment in which pathogenic microorganisms actively multiply. If you have been diagnosed with thrush, you still have to wash your breasts every time and make sure that it remains dry. Do not lubricate sore spots with brilliant green, iodine and other means. It's not a scratch on the knee.
If you are sure that this happened due to an incorrect algorithm of actions during pumping, then go for a consultation with a specialist who will explain the pumping technique to you and help prevent the recurrence of cracks. If you are low on milk, then breastfeed your baby as often as possible, rather than trying to replace a natural product with store-bought formulas. After all, the baby may refuse to breastfeed, which will lead to a strong decline in lactation.
Shallow cracks
Such cracks appear in the first few days after the start of breastfeeding. They may be the result of improper application. Usually they cause a little discomfort as soon as the baby grabs the breast, but then these sensations pass. You can see them on the very surface of the nipple - these are small areas of reddened skin.
Even if they are shallow, they should not be ignored, as such minor wounds can progress and increase.
To prevent the inflammatory process, it is recommended to lubricate the nipples with your own milk immediately after feeding. Simply apply it on your skin and wait until it dries completely. It is also recommended to use a cream for cracked nipples containing lanolin. This is a substance that creates a special film on the surface of the skin, which not only relieves pain, but also promoteswound healing. It does not need to be washed off before feeding, as lanolin is of natural origin.
There is also a time-tested folk remedy. To lubricate the nipples, a mixture of rosehip oil and petroleum jelly is used in a ratio of one to two. It is also applied after feeding. It is necessary to cover the chest with a napkin or other cloth. But do not forget to remove the rest of the mixture and rinse the breast well before the next application of the child.
Deep Damage
Deep cracks require more thorough treatment. Now own milk is unlikely to come to the rescue. You need to use remedies for cracked nipples, bought at the pharmacy.
Bepanten is considered the most popular. This is an effective ointment, which, in the treatment of cracks in the nipples, receives only positive reviews. One of the few approved for use during breastfeeding.
Among the natural ingredients in their reviews, nursing mothers especially highlight calendula and sea buckthorn oil. Natural compounds promote wound healing and relieve inflammation well. You can wash them off not with water, but with your own milk, which is very convenient.
Remember that any ointment for cracked nipples must be washed off using warm water. Do not use soap as it dries out the skin.
Proper feeding technique
The most common cause of cracking is improper attachment of the baby. Not all mothers were able to teach this inmaternity hospital, so now you have to study on your own. Moreover, if you master this technique, then even if there are cracks, it will be much easier for you to feed your baby.
- If only one mammary gland is damaged, then you should not feed it for a while. Take a break of six to twelve hours so that the fabrics can tighten a little. And if you feel that your breasts are already too full, then express the excess milk.
- If you have too little milk and you have to give both breasts at each feeding, then you need to start with a he althy one. Because when the baby is hungry, he sucks with double zeal, which will give you double discomfort.
- Try not to take too long breaks between feedings. Yes, it delivers a lot of painful sensations, but it is required to be patient. When the baby is hungry, he sucks hard, thereby injuring his mother's breasts even more.
- Try to minimize wearing a bra. Clothing should be loose, preferably made from natural materials.
- Be sure to buy breast pads. For many mothers, such devices become a salvation. They can be used not only during feeding, but also apply ointment under them. Silicone pads make life easier.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies show their effectiveness in many areas of medicine. But despite this, you can use them only after consulting with a specialist.
Everyone knows that goodcabbage has healing properties. Traditional healers recommend applying its leaves to the chest to relieve inflammation and swelling. In their reviews, nursing mothers confirm the effectiveness of the natural product and its availability.
If you do not want to use ointments and creams, then treat the nipples with butter or sunflower oil after each feeding. But don't forget to rinse off the lube before putting your baby on.
Sea buckthorn oil also has healing properties, which is also applied between feedings. Due to its natural origin, it is not necessary to wash it off.
You can make a decoction of chamomile flowers or birch leaves. You will need one or two tablespoons of the selected raw material. It is poured with 1/2 liter of water and boiled over low heat until half of the available liquid has evaporated. The resulting broth must be cooled, remove the leaves and strain. A napkin is moistened with a cooled broth and applied to a sore spot.
You can also use beets. According to the reviews of nursing mothers, this is a fairly effective remedy. The root crop must be grated on a fine grater. The resulting slurry is applied to the chest, where it is located throughout the day. But remember that as soon as the beets start to dry out, they need to be changed.
Modern doctors, of course, trust ointments for cracked nipples more. No pills are provided here. Fortunately, modern pharmacology can offer a wide variety of such remedies. There are inexpensive but effective oils,however, most often they are used for small cracks. And when the wounds are already quite deep and even bleeding, you need to opt for a good ointment. "Bepanten" is very popular, the action of which is aimed not only at the treatment of such wounds. This is a highly effective remedy for sweating. Almost the whole family can use such a universal composition. Do not try to save on your own he alth and do not buy medicines of dubious origin.
Prevention
The best cure for cracked nipples is timely prevention of their occurrence. There are a few tips to help you keep your breasts intact.
The main thing is proper breast care. Do not listen to the advice of grandmothers that every time after applying the baby you need to wash your breasts. Yes, it is necessary to wash, but not so often and without the use of soap, which dries the skin very much and can cause cracks. After showering, do not rub your breasts with a towel, but simply blot with a tissue to remove moisture. And after feeding, do not rush to wipe the nipples, wash them or apply napkins. The remaining milk must be absorbed to restore the fat balance.
If you constantly wear a bra, then use special pads. They not only protect the nipple from moisture, but also absorb milk that is periodically secreted from the breast.
Everyone knows that in the first few days after childbirth, there is no milk in the breast, only a small amount of colostrum. Yes, and the child during this period is not too demanding, for onefeeding can be spent about ten minutes. The baby will suck quite actively and during this time will have time to get enough. In the future, there will be more milk, and the needs of the crumbs will increase. Then you will have to spend two or three times more time on this process.
It will be better if you do not feed the baby on time, but give him the breast as soon as the baby requires it. So he will eat up, which will help keep the nipples intact, especially in the first months after childbirth. After all, delicate skin is not yet ready for such loads. Many moms make the mistake of giving their baby the breast as a pacifier. This method can be used only sometimes, in case of emergency, when the baby is really impossible to calm down.
Even putting the baby to a he althy breast, a woman may feel pain and discomfort. This is a sign that the attachment was not done correctly, and the baby was not able to capture the entire nipple. If these things happen often, then be sure that your chest will soon be injured. You don't have to endure. Stop feeding by pulling out the nipple, but do it carefully, do not pull out, as you can injure yourself. And now you need to give the baby a breast again, but already correctly. Most of the areola should go into his mouth. The baby will open its mouth and you will insert the nipple. To do this, it is required to hold it horizontally between the thumb and forefinger.
We have already mentioned in the article that hypovitaminosis can be the cause of cracks. To avoid this, it is recommended to takea special complex of vitamins that are designed for nursing mothers.
In closing
As you can see, cracked nipples that appear during breastfeeding are a fairly common problem. It is especially common among primiparous inexperienced girls who make many mistakes when feeding a baby. Such mothers need help, teach them the rules of attachment of a child and the prevention of various diseases.
If you find cracks on your chest, then do not expect a miracle that they will heal themselves. Remember that if you run this problem, the consequences may not be the most rosy. Through the cracks, various infections are likely to penetrate, which lead to a disease such as mastitis. His treatment is, first of all, a complete rejection of breastfeeding, the use of droppers, the use of many pills, in other words, a very long course of treatment.
