How to relieve sore nipples when breastfeeding

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by BSCK II Tran Thi Mai Huong - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Obstetrics and Gynecology Department - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital

Breast pain when breastfeeding is a fairly common condition, making it difficult for mothers or having to temporarily stop breastfeeding. The cause of nipple pain while breastfeeding can come from both mother and baby. So how to relieve nipple pain when breastfeeding?

1. Causes of nipple pain when breastfeeding

Many women who begin breastfeeding will feel uncomfortable, or even distressed, experiencing nipple pain while breastfeeding. Most cases of nipple pain while breastfeeding are caused by errors in position and latching technique, leading to nipple damage, worse, causing breast engorgement, blocked milk ducts and infection. coincide. Doctors say the causes of this phenomenon can be divided into the following 2 groups:
1.1. Reasons from the mother Injury to the nipples due to a malfunction when using the breast pump; Erection when the infant is unable to drain the breast that is too full; Blocked milk ducts, milk ducts or milk glands; The mother is too milky, causing tension; Infection of the breast and nipple; Skin diseases such as dermatitis or psoriasis; Blood vessel constriction reduces blood flow to the nipple. 1.2. The reason from the baby Congenital defects in the tongue or mouth make it difficult for the baby to latch on to the breast flexibly, rhythmically and unable to suckle the breast completely; The baby latches on, catches the breast improperly, causing damage to the mother's nipple; A torticollis prevents the baby from feeding comfortably on both breasts.

2. Distinguishing signs of nipple pain when breastfeeding

3. Overcoming nipple pain when breastfeeding

3.1. While breastfeeding Always feed your baby on the uninjured breast first; Correct positioning while breastfeeding, alternating positions during each feeding to spread pressure on different parts of the udder; Mother should sit cross-legged upright to easily observe the baby, do not lean forward to avoid fatigue and can use back support pillows; Encourage the baby to open his mouth wide to capture the entire areola of the mother, the nipple should be deep inside the baby's mouth. If your baby is sucking only on the nipple, gently place a clean finger in the corner of your baby's mouth or press on her chin to open her mouth wide; In case the baby often bites the mother's nipple, put your finger between the nipple and the baby's mouth, and say sternly, "Don't bite mom!" and lay the baby down on the bed. After a few breaks, the baby will understand and stop biting you. 3.2. After feeding Do not pull the baby out too suddenly if the baby does not release the nipple on his own after feeding. Gently separate the baby from the nipple by inserting your finger in the corner of the mouth, then moving the finger inside the mouth and then out of the nipple; Express a few drops of milk and gently rub the nipple with clean hands after feeding to both soothe irritation and reduce the risk of infection; Let the nipples dry naturally in the air after each feeding, to avoid creating a humid environment favorable for bacteria to grow; Breastfeed often at least every 2-3 hours to prevent the baby from getting hungry and using too much force to suck each time, as well as to limit breast engorgement for the mother. Details of fetal development week by week, every parent should learn:

3.3. When not feeding the baby Only clean the breast with warm water, do not use strong soap to scrub thoroughly to avoid drying, irritation or cracking of the nipple; Apply cool or hot compresses for comfort. Note not to apply ice; Express milk by hand or with a machine to help the nipple heal and prevent engorgement if the mother is unable to empty the breast. Reducing tension and softening the breast tissue will make it easier for the baby to suckle; Change bras and pads often, especially if they are wet or dirty. May not wear a bra when it is not necessary to allow the breasts to breathe; Do not arbitrarily use topical creams, drugs, moisturizers, etc. for the nipples without consulting a doctor.

3.4. Medical intervention In some cases, the mother needs to consult a medical professional to apply some of the following supportive measures:
If the nipple is cracked or bleeding, ointment can be applied contains 100% lanolin (fleece fat) under the brand names Lansinoh HPA Lanolin, Pureland, ... then cover with a non-stick milk absorbent pad to prevent infection of the nipple, and at the same time keep the damaged part. do not rub against the bra; Take paracetamol or ibuprofen before breastfeeding in case of severe pain; Seeking postpartum milk gland unclogging service for mothers at a specialized hospital when encountering this situation; Ask your doctor for early intervention if your baby has a deformity of the tongue, mouth or head and neck; See your doctor if you suspect a cracked nipple has led to an infection. Although nipple pain during breastfeeding is very common, it should pass quickly. However, without timely corrective and preventive measures, nipple pain during breastfeeding can become more intense, adversely affect breast milk production, reduce milk production, or even cause the baby to wean breast milk early.
Clogged milk ducts are considered one of the causes of nipple pain. In order to help pregnant women reduce erections and pain while breastfeeding, Vinmec International Hospital with spinal manipulation method mainly uses finger tips to act on the spine on the back of the mother. patients to adjust and open the milk glands.
Spinal impact treatment to restore breast milk supply, blocked milk ducts, lack of milk, milk loss are one of 17 diseases that the Spine Impact Department at Vinmec Times City is recognized for effective examination and treatment.
When the patient adheres to the treatment according to the Spine Impact Method protocol, the patient will feel progress after each day of treatment until the disease is cured. Head of Spine Impact Clinic - Traditional Medicine Unit, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital is Herbalist Nguyen Khac Dat. He has more than 30 years of experience specializing in medical examination and treatment by non-drug methods. Herbalist Nguyen Khac Dat used to be a patient and was trained in the Non-drug Spine Method since 1985 by the late Senior Healer Nguyen Tham Tan.
Herbalist Nguyen Khac Dat is also a founding member of the Center for Research and Development of Spinal Impact Methods according to Decision No. 449/QD-LHHVN dated July 24, 2012 by Professor Dang Vu Minh of Science, Signed by the President of the Union of Scientific and Technical Associations. Inherited the Center for Spine Impact by the late physician Nguyen Tham Tan as Director.
In addition to the treatment of blocked milk ducts, the spinal manipulation method also treats the following diseases:
Headache, migraine Vestibular syndrome Cerebral circulatory insufficiency, Paralysis of the 7th cranial nerve Peripheral hemiparesis cerebrovascular accident Neck and shoulder pain Shoulder periarthritis Back pain, hip pain, sciatic nerve pain Knee joint pain Disc herniation Numbness in hands and feet Stomach-reflux syndrome Bronchial asthma Sweaty feet and hands Constipation Restore breast milk supply, blocked milk ducts, lack of milk, loss of milk. For more information, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec health system nationwide.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.