Are sore and cracked nipples keeping you from enjoying the wonders of breastfeeding? Learn about the different remedies for cracked nipples you can try.
If your nipples are reddish, itchy, or painful, you could suffer from nipple thrush. It’s caused by Candida Albicans, a fungus that thrives in moist and warm parts of the body, like the mouth, vagina, diaper area, bra pads, and nipples.
Nipple thrush is one of the common roadblocks breastfeeding mums face, which could often tempt them to give up on breastfeeding altogether.
But don’t worry, here’s a quick guide on sore nipples – what causes them, and how you can treat them.
Sore Nipples
If you have sore nipples, you’re not alone.
Many women experience this—and it doesn’t always mean that something is wrong with your baby’s latch or milk supply. Sometimes, it just means that your baby is growing and his mouth is becoming stronger.
If you’re not sure what’s going on with your nipples, here are some things to keep in mind:
Thrush, a yeast infection of the skin and mucous membranes, can affect the nipple. If you have thrush, you’ll likely have pain and redness around your nipple and a white coating or discharge.
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You may have cracked nipples
This happens if you’ve been breastfeeding regularly for too long (more than three months) or if you haven’t been breastfeeding regularly enough (less than one month). Cracked nipples can be painful and sore.
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You may have blocked milk ducts
Blocked milk ducts can cause swelling around your nipple, or they might just be painful when you touch them. They won’t necessarily cause redness or discharge—they’re just painful!
Sore Nipples and Breastfeeding
Sore nipples are one of the most common issues that breastfeeding mums face. If you’re experiencing soreness, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.
We’ll start by discussing what causes sore nipples and how to avoid them. Then we’ll get into some tips for relieving your sore nipples once they’ve happened.
Causes of Sore Nipples During Breastfeeding
Soreness can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
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Infrequent and/or ineffective breastfeeds
One of the most common causes of sore nipples during breastfeeding is infrequent and/or ineffective breastfeeds. When your baby is hungry, she will latch on to your breast and start to suckle.
The suction from her mouth should create a vacuum effect that draws milk from your breast into her mouth. If you have sore nipples, this process may be uncomfortable for you and your baby.
Make sure your baby’s mouth is placed properly on the breast so that he or she can get as much milk as possible from each feed. This means that the nipple should be pulled into the baby’s mouth and not folded back against itself or sticking out straight ahead like a straw, which would cause pain for both mom and baby.
Also, ensure that your breast isn’t pulled down when the baby latches on—this can also cause discomfort and pain later in the feeding session.
Sore nipples during breastfeeding are a common problem and can be caused by incorrect positioning. The first thing to do is check the position of your baby’s mouth against your nipple.
If the baby’s mouth is not in the right position, it can cause soreness. To test this, try using a mirror to see if the baby’s nose is above its mouth. If it is not, adjust its position so that it is.
One of the most common causes of sore nipples during breastfeeding is tight clothing or bras. The constant rubbing of fabric against your nipples can cause redness and soreness, which can make breastfeeding painful—even when there’s nothing wrong with your baby’s latch.
In addition to tight clothing or bras, another thing that can cause soreness during breastfeeding is the regular use of breast pads. Some women use breast pads after each feeding to keep their shirts dry from leaks; however, this can lead to chafing or irritation of the nipple area.
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Breastfeeding in a smoke-filled room
Many mums are unaware of how important it is to breastfeed in an environment free of smoke or other harmful pollutants. These pollutants can cause sore nipples, decrease your supply, and increase the risk of mastitis (an infection in the breast).
One of the most common causes of sore nipples during breastfeeding is a yeast infection (or thrush). It happens when there’s an imbalance between good and bad bacteria in the body, and it can be treated with antifungal medications. Ask your doctor about treatment options if you think you might have this condition.
Why Are Nipples Sore After Pumping
If you’ve been pumping for a while, you may have experienced soreness and discomfort in your nipples. You might be wondering why this happens. Here are five possible reasons:
- You’re not making enough breast milk.
- You’re not getting enough sleep.
- Your pump isn’t working right for you.
- You’re using an ill-fitting bra (or no bra at all).
- You’re using an ill-fitting pump flange that’s too tight or too loose on your breasts, which can cause friction against the nipple and make them sore after pumping
How to Treat Sore Nipples
Sore nipples can be a pain, and it’s no wonder—they’re the gateway to your baby’s food supply. But you don’t have to suffer through this common condition.
Here are some tips for managing sore nipples:
- Try a new position. If you’ve been breastfeeding on the same side for too long, try switching things up by feeding from the opposite breast next time.
- Use lanolin-based cream or oil on your nipple before nursing; this will help prevent chafing and irritation.
- Try using a nipple shield if you’re having trouble getting your baby latched correctly because of soreness, or if you’re worried about nipple trauma (especially if you’ve had a difficult birth). This can also give your nipples a break from sucking so often!
- Use a breast pump after each feeding to help milk flow properly from your breasts. You can also use a manual pump if that’s more comfortable.
- Be sure your baby is latched on correctly. Their mouth should rest on the nipple, not their tongue or lower lip. If you’re having trouble getting them to latch correctly, talk to your lactation consultant or healthcare provider about the steps you can take to make things easier for you.
What Causes Cracked Nipples When Breastfeeding
A poor latch at the breast and suction trauma resulting from inappropriate positioning are two common causes of cracked nipples.
A variety of factors can cause incorrect placement. Breastfeeding is an acquired skill for both mothers and infants. It takes practice to properly put the nipple in a baby’s mouth and its body against the mother.
Pinching off the nipple is a way for babies who aren’t well latched to protect themselves from powerful letdown reactions. If a baby’s latch is shallow, he or she may nurse more frequently. This is because they are not receiving as much milk with each breastfeeding session.
In some situations, according to La Leche League International, a baby will pinch his mother’s nipple due to anatomical abnormalities, such as:
- Tongue-tie
- High palate
- Little mouth
- Short frenulum
- A chin that is receding
The following factors may also contribute to having cracked and painful nipples:
- nipple confusion (possible if you’re breastfeeding, bottlefeeding, or giving pacifiers to your child)
- troubles with sucking
- During nursing, the baby’s tongue retracts or is poorly positioned.
It’s critical to figure out what’s causing your cracked, aching nipples, so you don’t have to deal with it again. As soon as you encounter challenges with breastfeeding, it’s best to speak with a certified lactation consultant. They will be able to assess your latch and breastfeeding practices and examine your newborn’s sucking patterns and strength.
Can Sore and Cracked Nipples Affect Milk Supply?
Breastfeeding can be extra challenging, especially if you feel pain and soreness in your breasts. However, mums are expected to continue breastfeeding even if they have sore and cracked nipples to keep their milk supply up.
However, nipple thrush may reduce your milk supply. It can take up to two weeks for your nipple thrush and the infection to heal. So to prevent having a decreased milk supply, it’s best to continue expressing your milk to keep your supply up.
Just remember to toss out any milk you expressed and stored while you were infected. Also, take all your prescribed medication and practice good hygiene to avoid nipple thrush from recurring.
How to Heal Cracked Nipples at Home
Another way to confirm if you have nipple thrush is if the deep, shooting pain isn’t lessened by better latching or positioning when nursing. Here are a few breastfeeding pain relief home remedies.
1. Using your breastmilk as a balm
Possessing antibacterial properties is one of the many great things about breast milk. That’s why it can help soothe and treat dry and cracked nipples. Just pat a few drops onto the affected nipple before and after nursing and allow them to air dry.
2. Apply a warm compress
Pressing a warm towel onto your breast before breastfeeding can not only soothe nipple pain, but it could also boost breastmilk production and cleanse the area. You can also take a warm shower if you prefer!
3. Moisturise
Olive oil, coconut oil, or sweet almond oil can do wonders in reducing dryness by deeply moisturising cracked nipples. Another tip would be to use tea tree oil! Its antiseptic properties could help hasten to heal and prevent problems with sore nipples from recurring.
4. Use the power of herbs
Harness the power of herbs like natural aloe vera and ground-up basil leaves paste, which possess natural healing properties. Be careful to wash off aloe vera thoroughly before breastfeeding, though, as it’s been known to cause diarrhoea in infants.
5. Chamomile tea
This type of tea’s anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties don’t just work when ingested, applying the tea bags directly onto affected areas could also do the trick!
After squeezing out excess water and letting them cool, leave the tea bags on the nipples for a few minutes. Remember to wash thoroughly with warm water before breastfeeding!
Other ways to relieve nipple problems are constant air exposure, feeding frequently, changing positions when feeding, avoiding bras that are too tight, changing breast pads often, and avoiding soap, alcohol, or petroleum-based products when washing your nipples.
Medical Treatment for Sore Cracked Nipples From Breastfeeding
Sometimes, the nipple problem is so severe that home remedies can’t do the trick. In this case, medical advice is important. And if you do have nipple thrush, you should also consult your child’s paediatrician as he may have oral thrush.
A topical antifungal ointment for your nipples and an oral rinse for your infant are the standard treatments for thrush in breastfeeding parents and babies.
Follow your doctor’s instructions for therapy. All over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for you and your baby should be cleared with your child’s paediatrician when you’re nursing.
Antifungals that are commonly used to treat nipple and oral thrush include:
- Miconazole
- Clotrimazole
- Nystatin
- Fluconazole
However, it is best to consult your doctor before trying any medication. Even for home remedies, you may ask your doctor to confirm if this can be beneficial for you or if it might worsen the situation.
This article was written by Bianchi Mendoza and republished with permission from theAsianparent Philippines.
Updated by Pheona Ilagan
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