Cracks or cuts are common when breastfeeding but the causes are varied. Finding out what they come from can help you choose the right pain relief remedy.
Steps
Step 1. Learn what causes fissures
Usually, they are caused by the wrong position of the baby during breastfeeding, the wrong attachment of the mouth, soap residue on the breast that has not been well rinsed and candida or thrush (a yeast infection of the breast).
- The nipples have what are called 'Montgomery's tubercles'. The glands produce an antibacterial lubricant that keeps the nipples clean. The soap can dry this lubricant, causing the cuts to open. Better to avoid using soap and instead opt for warm water to rinse the breasts.
- Thrush, also known as candida, can happen during the breastfeeding phase. Symptoms of thrush include sore and often cut nipples, redness and itching. In this case, the baby will also have white, cheese-like flaky spots inside the mouth and may have yeast-colored patches on the bottom. Thrush usually results from using antibiotics and / or contraception while breastfeeding, but there are other causes as well. If you suspect that you are suffering from it, you can continue breastfeeding but go to your doctor to get an exact diagnosis. If confirmed, the doctor will prescribe something to give to the baby as well to treat him and the same medicine will also fix the breasts.
Step 2. Avoid swelling of your nipples while pregnant
Sometimes it is advised to prepare them for breastfeeding during pregnancy by “making them swell” with methods such as rubbing with a towel, pinching and / or pulling them.
- If you are pregnant and have been advised this once in a while, stop to avoid harm.
- If nipple fissures have already appeared due to this treatment, you can treat them with your own colostrum. Gently squeeze some liquid from your breasts and rub your nipples several times a day to heal the affected areas.
Step 3. Check the position of the baby
There are many possible ways to breastfeed, but some work better than others.
- Whichever position you use, make sure it is held properly. When the baby is not adjusted properly, he sucks harder to let the milk come out. Friction against the nipple could cause cuts.
- If you need to learn correct positioning, make an appointment with a lactation expert to be taught.
Step 4. Make sure the baby latches on properly
In fact, this too is the cause of fissures. Specifically, the nipple rubs against the baby's palate. If the baby latches on incorrectly, he will rub his gums against the nipples, irritating them.
- To get him to attack properly, look for signs of hunger. For example, the first signs are that the baby moves his legs and arms and puts his hands in his mouth. It then goes on to be boring by making high-pitched sounds. The signs of the last level of hunger, the acute one, will be redness and weeping.
- If the mother does not feed the baby until he shows signs of acute hunger, it will be impossible for him to latch on properly - the baby must be calm in order to feed properly.
- To ensure the right fit, mum and baby should be belly to belly. The mother should move the baby towards the breast, aligning his nose with the nipple. Once this is done, the baby should be moved a few centimeters from the nipple; in this way, the little one will open his mouth by bending his head. If this approach doesn't work the first time, the mother has to try again.
- Signs of a good latch and the baby sucking are the ears that move, the cheeks that swell and the sound of the baby swallowing. The mother should not hear any clicking sounds and the baby's cheeks should not be dimpled.
Step 5. Treat the area
A lanolin-based medicinal ointment can be used to relieve crack pain.
