The first months after childbirth are the most difficult stage on the way to motherhood. This is the time of sleepless nights, constant fatigue and anxiety. In addition, it is often overshadowed by the already complicated postpartum period of problems associated with breastfeeding . One of these is the pain in the nipples when feeding. Many young mothers perceive this phenomenon as a norm and suffer, which can not be done categorically. Why nipples hurt while breastfeeding and what to do in this case, let's try to figure it out.
Causes of nipple pain when feeding
Children are applied to the mother's breast immediately after birth, so that the baby has time to eat the colostrum, which is of invaluable benefit for such a small and defenseless organism. But, unfortunately, for many mothers already the very first feeds turn into a real test. Because they begin to feel a strong pain in the nipples when feeding. Most often this is due to the fact that the skin around the nipple is still very tender and sensitive. However, it very quickly coarsens, and soreness passes by itself in a short period of time.
But besides this, nursing mothers may suffer from nipples for a number of other reasons that need to be addressed. So, it is possible:
- Incorrect application. A very common mistake young, often primiparous, women. There may be a lot of variations: it's the wrong posture during feeding, the changed technique of sucking a child due to the use of pacifiers and nipples and many other moments directly related to the process of feeding itself. Ideally, the basic principles of feeding a woman should be taught in the maternity home, clearly explaining how this happens. If the "miracle" does not happen, you can ask for help from a specialist. Because a detailed description, even with pictures, does not always give a complete picture of the correct process.
- Nipples hurt when I breastfeed - a very common female complaint is also because many young mothers do not properly care for the mammary glands. For example, constant washing with soap, treatment of nipples with alcohol solutions, wearing close synthetic, with coarse sutures, bras can lead to similar problems.
- It is obvious that a woman will complain that her nipples are hurted when breastfeeding and after, if there are cracks and abrasions. Nipples are injured for many reasons, including incorrect application and hygiene. And also congenital anomalies, such as too flat or retracted nipples, which greatly complicates breastfeeding.
- Pain may occur against a background of certain diseases, in particular lactostasis , mastitis, nerve damage, candidiasis infection and many others requiring immediate treatment.