White spots on nipples during breastfeeding

If a mother experiences white spots and stinging pain on her nipples during breastfeeding, it is mainly because of improper feeding posture, which causes the baby to bite the nipple. A small amount of milk condensation on the nipple can also cause white spots, so mothers need to pay attention to breast hygiene and feeding posture. If there are white spots and stinging pain on the nipples, it is necessary to check the cause to avoid mastitis, and empty the milk every day to reduce the pressure on the breasts.

White spots on nipples appear because of excessive skin growth, which blocks the exit of the mammary duct. On the other hand, a small amount of coagulated milk accumulates, which causes blockage of the milk ducts, sometimes accompanied by mastitis. The breast tissue on the blocked side may be accompanied by strip-like lumps.

1. Excessive milk

2. Excessive pressure somewhere in the breast

3. Various causes of milk duct obstruction

4. Fungal infection of the nipple

5. Nipple damage

6. Incorrect latching position

There are three common types of white spots on nipples.

1. Nipple ulcers caused by nipple fissures. Generally speaking, even if there is no congestion in the breast, the mother will feel severe nipple pain.

2. Small white bubbles on the nipples. There is a nearly transparent membrane blocking the nipple hole, so the milk cannot come out or cannot come out smoothly. There will be congestion in the breast, and the baby will feel pain in the nerves connecting the nipple to the breast when feeding.

3. A substance similar to fat particles formed by dehydrated milk. This situation is more common after milk stasis or mastitis, because the milk has been swollen for a long time and the milk is dehydrated. When we are doing milk unblocking, we can see small particles squeezed out of the nipple, and sometimes it is a long piece of milk.

What should breastfeeding mothers do if white spots occur on nipples?

When white spots appear on the nipples, mothers should not be too anxious and can try the following methods.

1. Let your baby suck.

When the baby sucks on the nipple with white spots, the white membrane will break or the sticky breast milk will move, so that the blocked milk will be released and the problem of white spots will be solved.

2. Warm bath or wet compress.

When sucking does not solve the problem, you can choose one of the following methods, followed by breastfeeding to let the baby help with sucking:

Before breastfeeding, soak the affected breast in warm water, or take a warm bath, or apply warm and wet compresses. Then massage the nipple and areola to help loosen the blocked area. Then gently wipe the nipple with a wet towel, and use your fingers or palms to vigorously push and rub the hard part toward the nipple.

3. Olive oil or vinegar.

In addition to warm baths or wet compresses, you can also try softening white spots on your nipples with olive oil or vinegar.

Gently massage your nipples with olive oil or vinegar before breastfeeding.

Place a cotton ball soaked in olive oil in your bra to help soften the nipple skin. Remove the cotton ball before breastfeeding and let the baby suck the milk to break and remove the softened white spots on the epidermis.

4. Seek medical help.

If you have tried all the above methods and none of them work, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. You may need to seek help from a doctor to puncture the white spots with a sterile needle.

5. Recurring white spots on the nipples

Some mothers have recurring white spots on their nipples. Is there any way to prevent white spots from appearing on the nipples? You can try the following methods:

First, you need to adjust your diet and reduce the intake of saturated fat, such as animal fat; second, you can gently wipe your nipples with a small towel when taking a bath every day; third, take good care of yourself and ensure enough rest; finally, you need to find out the cause of the white spots on the nipples and find a suitable solution to them.

To prevent white spots on nipples, new mothers can do this!

In life, breastfeeding mothers can prevent white spots on nipples from the following aspects:

1. When breastfeeding, pay attention to whether the baby’s latching posture is correct. It is recommended that mothers adopt a variety of breastfeeding postures to ensure smooth breast drainage.

2. Eliminate the cause of nipple damage.

3. Clean the nipples after feeding to remove residual breast milk on the nipples to avoid blocking the opening of the milk ducts.

4. Excessive breast milk should not be ignored.

5. To deal with nipple fungal infection, use antifungal drugs as prescribed by your doctor.