Many young mothers have cracks in their nipples during breastfeeding. This is especially often observed in the first few weeks after childbirth. This is bad for a woman experiencing unusual pain, and for a child who, feeling her mother’s condition, becomes irritable, loses sleep. Cracks appear on the nipples during feeding for a reason, there are reasons for this, which will be discussed in detail in this material.
Causes
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 soft skin in this area, and the baby's actions destroy its integrity. Sometimes nipples have a weak excitability and poor milk delivery. Then the baby has to make efforts to get his own food, as a result of this, the skin does not stand up and crack.
Thrush, which is so common among infants, can be a serious reason that a woman has cracks in her nipples with HS.
It is not recommended to wash the breasts too often, especially with soap, as this leads to the skin drying out and becoming more vulnerable. Dryness can also be caused by the use of various ointments, which are recommended by modern doctors.
Another serious reason is inept application. This is the mistake of most young mothers. But the woman cannot be blamed. Here, rather, an oversight of the doctors of the hospital who could not teach the young mother all the features of caring for a small child.
You can’t take the breast from the baby while he is still sucking. This is harmful for the child, since he has not yet had time to fully get enough. It is dangerous for mom that the baby does not have time to open its jaws, which means it holds the nipple and, only by stretching it out, releases it. As a result, the integrity of the skin may be impaired. This trick with babies who already have their first teeth is especially dangerous.
Perhaps the mother simply incorrectly expresses the milk 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
Cracks in the nipples during breastfeeding can vary. Allocate:
- multiple and single;
- deep and superficial.
The appearance of cracks can be observed both on one nipple, and on two at the same time.
Even if a young mother first sees a crack in her chest, she will understand what’s the matter. In fact, this is a section that originates in the center and ends on the periphery. Discharges from cracks can be observed: in most cases it is just an anemone, but sometimes it comes to the point that blood flows.
It is hard to imagine what a woman experiences when someone tries to touch a painful place. Indeed, in essence, this is an open wound. Now imagine that she still has to feed the baby so that milk does not stagnate in her chest. Probably not every adult man would decide on this. Most mothers in this period are forced to refuse to breastfeed at least with a sick breast. They have to express regularly.
However, pain is not the worst thing that can happen. Through the resulting wounds, infection is likely to occur - not only bacterial, but also fungal. As a result, inflammation begins, the development of mastitis is not excluded. Pus can stand out from cracks in the nipples during feeding, and ulcers or even erosion cannot be excluded at the wound site. Therefore, you should not wait until it heals itself.
Is it worth it to feed further
If you see that the crack is not too deep, then continue to apply the child. And in order to alleviate your fate a little, get special silicone pads in the pharmacy. This is a kind of barrier between your already full breasts and lips of the baby. So much easier to bear his sucking. The risk of a wound starting to increase is reduced, as is the chance 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 bleeds.
When the cracks are deep, it is best to stop applying the baby. It would be much easier to simply express milk, and then give it to the baby. It is important to understand how to treat cracks in the nipples. With the right method of treatment, breastfeeding over time can be safely continued.
How to heal nipple cracks
It is pointless to start treatment without knowing the cause of the cracks, since the chest will be injured again and again.
If there are cracks in the nipples, what should I do? First of all, you need to make sure that the baby really correctly captures the breast when feeding. Even if your nipples are damaged, but you attach the crumb correctly, the pain will almost completely disappear.
Be sure to consult a specialist who will be able to determine the presence of infection. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then you need to immediately begin treatment. Now, young mothers are offered many drugs and ointments that are absolutely safe for a breastfed baby.
After each feeding, you don’t need to run to the bathroom and wash your breasts. If you find leaks, just use a tissue or replace the gasket. This manipulation is aimed at preventing the creation of a moist and warm environment in which pathogenic microorganisms actively multiply. If you have been diagnosed with thrush, you will still have to wash your breasts every time and make sure that it stays dry. Do not lubricate sore spots with brilliant green, iodine and other means. After all, this is 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 have little milk, apply your baby as often as possible, rather than trying to replace a natural product with purchased mixtures. After all, the baby may refuse to breast, 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 attachment. Usually they bring a little discomfort as soon as the baby grabs the chest, but then these feelings disappear. You can see them on the surface of the nipple - these are small areas of reddened skin.
Even if they are shallow, they should not be ignored, since such minor wounds can progress and grow.
To prevent the inflammatory process, it is recommended to lubricate the nipples with their own milk immediately after feeding. Simply apply it to the skin and wait until it is completely dry. It is also recommended to use a cream for cracks on the nipples containing lanolin. This substance creates a special film on the surface of the skin, which not only relieves pain, but also promotes wound healing. It does not need to be washed off before feeding, since 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 in a ratio of one to two is used. 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 baby.
Deep damage
Deep cracks require more thorough treatment. Now own milk is unlikely to come to the rescue. It is necessary to use funds from nipple cracks purchased at the pharmacy.
The most sought after is Bepanten. This is an effective ointment, which, when treating cracks in the nipples, receives only positive reviews. One of the few approved for use during breastfeeding.
Among the natural components in their reviews, nursing mothers especially distinguish calendula oil and sea buckthorn. 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 from cracks in the nipples needs to be washed off, while using warm water. Do not use soap, as it dries the skin.
The right feeding technique
The most common cause of cracks is the child’s improper attachment. Not all mothers were able to teach this in the hospital, so now you have to learn on their 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 there is damage on only one mammary gland, then you need not to feed it for some time. Take a break from six to twelve hours so that the tissues can at least a little drag. And if you feel that the chest is already too full, then drain the excess milk.
- If you have too little milk and you have to give both breasts with each feeding, then you need to start with a healthy one. Because when the baby is hungry, he sucks with double zeal, which will cause you double discomfort.
- Try not to take too long breaks between feedings. Yes, it gives a lot of pain, but it takes patience. When the baby is hungry, he sucks hard, thereby injuring his mother's chest even more.
- Try to minimize wearing a bra. Clothing should be loose, preferably made from natural materials.
- Be sure to buy chest pads. For many mothers, such devices become salvation. They can be used not only during feeding, but also apply ointment under them. With silicone pads, life is much easier.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies show their effectiveness in many areas of medicine. But despite this, they can only be used after consultation with a specialist.
Everyone knows that cabbage has good 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 do not forget to wash off the grease before applying the baby.
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 prepare a decoction of chamomile flowers or birch leaves. You will need one or two tablespoons of the selected raw materials. It is poured 1/2 liter of water and boiled over low heat until half of the available liquid evaporates. The resulting broth needs to be cooled, remove the leaves and strain. A cooled broth is wetted with a napkin and applied to a sore spot.
You can also use beets. According to reviews of nursing mothers, this is quite an effective remedy. The root crop should be grated. The resulting slurry is applied to the chest, where it is located all day. But remember that as soon as the beets begin to dry, they need to be changed.
Modern doctors, of course, are more likely to trust ointments from cracks in the nipples. No pills are provided here. Fortunately, modern pharmacology can offer a wide variety of such agents. There are inexpensive, but effective oils, however, they are most often used for small cracks. And when the wounds are already quite deep and even bleed, you need to choose 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 this universal composition. Do not try to save on your own health and do not buy drugs of dubious origin.
Prevention
The best cure for cracks in the nipples is the timely prevention of their appearance. There are several recommendations to help you keep your breasts intact.
The main thing is the proper care of your breasts. Do not listen to the advice of grandmothers that every time after applying the baby you need to wash your breasts. Yes, washing is necessary, but not so often without the use of soap, which dries the skin very much and can cause cracks. After the shower, do not rub your chest with a towel, but simply pat it dry with a napkin to remove moisture. And after feeding, do not rush to wipe the nipples, wash them or apply napkins. The remaining milk must be absorbed in order to restore fat balance.
If you constantly wear a bra, then use special pads. They not only protect the nipple from moisture, but also absorb milk, which is periodically released from the chest.
Everyone knows that in the first few days after birth, there is no milk in the breast, only a small amount of colostrum. And the child during this period is not too picky, you can spend about ten minutes on one feeding. 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. Next, you will have to spend two or three times as much time on this process.
It will be better if you do not begin to feed the baby on time, and give him the breast as soon as the child requires it. So he will be full, 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 mothers make the mistake of giving the baby a breast as a nipple. This method can be used only sometimes, in case of emergency, when the baby is really impossible to calm.
Even applying a baby to a healthy breast, a woman may feel pain and discomfort. This is a sign that the attachment was done incorrectly, and the baby could not capture the entire nipple. If such things happen often, then be sure that your chest will soon be injured. No need to endure. Stop feeding by pulling out the nipple, but do it carefully, do not tear out, because you yourself can cause injury. And now you need to give the baby again the chest, but rightly so. Most of the areola should fall into his mouth. The child opens his mouth, and you insert the nipple. To do this, you need to hold it between the thumb and forefinger horizontally.
We already remembered in the article that hypovitaminosis can be the cause of cracks. To avoid this, it is recommended to take a special complex of vitamins that are intended for nursing mothers.
Finally
As you can see, cracks in the nipples that appear during breastfeeding are a fairly common problem. It is especially common among primogenous inexperienced girls who make many mistakes when feeding a baby. Such mummies need to be helped, taught them the rules for applying the baby and the prevention of various diseases.
If you find cracks in your chest, then do not expect the miracle that they will tighten themselves. Remember that if you run this problem, then the consequences may not be the most rosy. Through the cracks, the penetration of various infections is likely, 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 tablets, in other words, a very long course of treatment.