Why do cracks appear?
With the correct grip, the child takes not only the nipple, but also a significant part of the areola into his mouth, and the nipple ends up deep in the soft palate and does not rub against the tongue and gums. If the latch is superficial, the nipple is compressed and deformed with each sucking, the skin is injured, abrasions and cracks appear. The situation is aggravated by improper weaning of the baby from the breast without breaking the vacuum, a short frenulum of the tongue, due to which the baby cannot latch onto the breast deeply, as well as frequent washing of the breast with soap, which dries out the skin.
- Superficial chest grip
- Uncomfortable position when feeding
- Short frenulum of the tongue in a child
- Weaning without breaking the vacuum
- Washing your breasts with soap before each feeding
- Incorrect breast pump
- Fungal infection of the nipple
How does it manifest itself?
The first sign is pain at the beginning of feeding, which, if the grip is incorrect, does not decrease towards the middle, but persists. Longitudinal or circular abrasions, crusts, and sometimes drops of blood are visible on the nipple. After feeding, the nipple may appear flattened or with a beveled edge - this is a sure sign of an improper latch. Blood that gets into milk is not dangerous for the baby, although it can cause regurgitation of brown contents. The appearance of temperature, thickening and redness indicates the addition of lactostasis or mastitis.
- Sharp pain at the beginning and during feeding
- Abrasions, cracks and crusts on the nipple
- Drops of blood and marks on the bra
- Deformed nipple after feeding
- Burning pain after feeding due to fungal infection
- Induration and redness of the breast due to complications
What to do first
The main treatment is to correct the attachment, and this often gives relief at the next feeding. The child needs to be pressed against his stomach, wait for his mouth to be wide open, and place him so that the lower lip is turned out and the chin touches the chest. The areola should be grasped asymmetrically, more from below. You should remove the breast by carefully placing your finger in the corner of your mouth. It is better to start feeding on the less painful side. If the pain is unbearable, take a break on this breast for a while and express milk, continuing to feed the baby.
- Check and correct chest latch
- Change feeding positions
- Wean the breast by breaking the vacuum with your finger
- Start on the less injured side
- Feed more often without making you hungry
- For severe pain, pump for 1–2 days
- Take the child to the pediatrician to examine the tongue frenulum
Care and healing
The skin of the nipple heals quickly if it is not over-dry. It is enough to wash your breasts once a day with plain water without soap. After feeding, it is helpful to leave a few drops of milk on the nipple and let it air dry. Healing products based on purified lanolin are used, which do not require rinsing before feeding, as well as special hydrogel pads. The bra should be cotton and loose, breast pads should be changed when they get wet. Alcohol solutions, brilliant green and frequent treatment with antiseptics slow down healing.
- Wash your breasts with water without soap
- Air dry your nipples
- Products with purified lanolin
- Cotton underwear and timely change of pads
- Refusal of alcohol antiseptics and brilliant greens
- Silicone pads are only temporary and on the advice of a specialist
When do you need a doctor?
You should consult a doctor if the cracks do not heal with proper application for more than two weeks, if there is a fever, painful lump and redness of the breast, if pus is released from the wound. A burning pain in the depths of the breast, intensifying after feeding, along with shiny pink skin of the nipple, may indicate a fungal infection that requires treatment for both mother and child. It is also worth taking your baby to the pediatrician to evaluate the tongue tie and weight gain. There is no need to stop feeding without doctor's advice.
- Non-healing cracks longer than two weeks
- Temperature, tightness and redness of the breast
- Purulent discharge
- Burning pain deep in the chest
- Poor weight gain in a child
- Help from a lactation consultant
