Nipples are the most sensitive regions of the woman’s
breasts. We all know about how erogenous these regions are,
and the important part they play in the foreplay before sexual
intercourse. However these nipples are actually provided by
nature for the purpose of breastfeeding. This happens shortly
after pregnancy, when the nipples begin to secrete the milk
that is produced in the milk ducts within the breasts.
Babies have a natural talent to suckle at the mother’s
nipples. They do so by pushing the nipples with the palate of
their mouths. For some women, especially who are breastfeeding
their babies for the first few times, this could be a very
painful process. Babies could sometimes clamp the nipples very
hard causing the nipples to become sore and cracked.
Milk let-down is a naturally occurring phenomenon during
lactation. When the baby suckles at the nipples, then the milk
is drawn into the baby’s mouth through them. As a result,
more milk runs towards the nipple area from the milk ducts
situated within the breasts. For most women, this process
occurs quite normally. But if there is a problem with the milk
let-down process, then the baby would need to suckle harder at
the nipple in order to draw milk. This would cause pain in the
nipples. Such difficulty for the baby to draw out milk could
also occur if the woman has inverted nipples, i.e. nipples
which point inwards.
Women who are breastfeeding for their first baby would
mostly not know the correct breastfeeding technique. They may
not be holding the baby properly, due to which the baby would
have to press at the nipples in order to get at them. Wrong
breastfeeding techniques are the prime causes of women having
sore and cracked nipples. Wrong breastfeeding techniques could
include not keeping a support under the baby (due to which the
baby becomes uncomfortable in its position and wriggles a
lot), sitting in an incorrect posture while feeding the baby,
pulling the baby away from the nipple quite suddenly, etc.
Sometimes the fault is with the baby itself. There is a
congenital condition known as ankyloglossia, which is commonly
called as tongue-tie. Babies with this condition have tight
frenulums (this is the membrane attaching the tongue to the
base of the mouth). Such babies would find it very hard to
suckle at the nipples as their tongue movement is highly
restricted.
If you have sore and cracked nipples, then you would need
to stop giving the baby that breast for feeding for a while
and meet your doctor urgently. If the baby continues to feed
on that breast, then the pain would also continue, eventually
leading to bleeding from the baby. A bleeding nipple could be
very dangerous to the baby if it is fed on it. Almost all
cases of sore and cracked nipples occur when the woman is
breastfeeding a baby. But if you are getting sore and cracked
nipples even though you are not breastfeeding, then it could
be some very serious problem with the breast, including breast
cancer. You must rush to the doctor to seek medical attention.
Sore nipples caused by poor breastfeeding techniques can be
easily treated by simply getting more educated on the right
method to breastfeed. It is best to sit in a cross-legged
position on a bed if you are finding holding the baby during
breastfeeding uncomfortable. Sitting on a chair could compound
the pain in the nipples. It is also advisable to keep the baby
in your lap on some support. You can use a pillow on your lap
and keep the baby on it. This way the baby will be comfortable
and would not need to suckle hard at the nipples. Also do not
encourage the baby to suckle on the same breast for a long
time. Take turns with both the breasts.
If you have any problems with letting down the milk
properly, then do not let the baby suckle much on it without
seeking medical help first. The doctor could provide some
supplements in order to increase the amount of milk produced
in the breasts. One such commonly prescribed supplement is the
supplement containing Asparagus racemosa. There are also
counselors in all maternity hospitals who could help you in
learning the correct method to breastfeed the baby so that it
would not need to pull hard at the nipples.
Women having inverted nipples would also need to talk to
the gynecologist before the child is born. There could be
methods to correct this problem with the nipples.
Some preparation before the breastfeeding could be very
helpful in preventing sore and cracked nipples. If the breast
is too engorged, then try letting out some of the milk using a
pump, or simply by squeezing by hand. This will loosen the
pressure in the breast a little. Also, removing a little milk
before the breastfeeding would allow the milk to flow
naturally when the baby begins to suckle. Using some creams
like lanolin could reduce the pain during feeding, but you
would need to ask the doctor whether they would be safe for
the baby.
Read more about Sore and Cracked Nipples and other breast care issues at
http://www.mysecrethealth.com
Also read more about the Benefits of Herbal Breast Products for Natural Breast Enlargement.
