What causes left breast pain during breastfeeding?

If you experience pain in your left breast during breastfeeding, it is often related to improper feeding. For example, if the baby does not suck properly, or the milk does not appear as expected, it may cause breast pain. If you do not pay attention, mastitis may occur, which will make women feel abnormal pain. In this case, you can use cold or hot compresses to relieve it. Let's take a look at this aspect.

What causes left breast pain during breastfeeding?

Generally speaking, the most common cause of nipple pain is that the baby does not latch on correctly when sucking. The baby does not put the nipple and most of the areola into his mouth, but only holds the nipple. This way of sucking only the nipple is sucked hard, so it makes mothers feel painful. As a result, the mother will have concerns about breastfeeding and may reduce the number of feedings and shorten the breastfeeding time. Unhappiness also affects milk secretion.

Because the baby only sucks the nipple, he cannot suck enough milk, the breast milk cannot be emptied, which in turn reduces milk secretion and ultimately leads to breastfeeding failure. This creates a vicious cycle.

What to do if your breasts hurt during lactation

1. Before breastfeeding, the mother should take a comfortable position and apply a hot and wet towel to the breasts and areola for 3-5 minutes. At the same time, massage the breasts to stimulate the milk ejection reflex and squeeze out some milk. This will soften the areola and make it easier for the baby to suck.

2. First breastfeed with the breast that hurts less, and make sure to put most of the nipple and areola into the baby's mouth. Also pay attention to changing the baby's feeding position to reduce the stimulation of the nipple caused by sucking.

3. If breastfeeding needs to be stopped due to other reasons, the mother should gently press the baby's lower jaw with her index finger, and the baby will automatically spit out the nipple. Never pull out the nipple forcibly, as this will damage the nipple.

4. If nipple cracks have occurred, squeeze out some milk after breastfeeding, apply it on the nipples and areola, and wait for it to dry naturally. Never wash your nipples with soap. Because there is a gland in the nipple or areola that secretes oil to protect the nipple and prevent it from drying out. Washing your nipples with soap will remove this natural protective film.

5. Because the nipple skin is relatively delicate, especially the nipples of first-time mothers are thinner and more tender, and the nipples are easily cracked due to being soaked in the baby's saliva for a long time. Therefore, each feeding time should not be too long, generally 15 to 20 minutes is appropriate, and do not let the baby sleep with the nipple in his mouth.

6. Before going to bed every night, use the opposite palm to massage both breasts in a clockwise direction, while pushing from the base of the breast towards the nipple. After delivery, gently hold the breasts with both hands and circle around the breasts with your fingers; hold the base of the breasts with both hands and pull towards the nipples; cross your two palms and rub both breasts evenly; pinch the nipples with your index finger and thumb to pull them to separate the nipples from the neck and areola, and then wipe the nipples with a hot towel to remove impurities in the nipple pores; use your palms to rotate and massage both breasts in a clockwise direction, and then use your thumb and index finger to squeeze around the areola. If you see light yellow or colorless, transparent and slightly sticky colostrum overflowing, you can start feeding the baby.

7. Pay attention to keeping warm during massage. Hands should be kept clean and disinfected. Massage should be done 1 to 3 times a day for 10 to 15 minutes. You can do self-massage or ask your family to help you with massage. It is best to combine self-massage with massage of your husband. The massage should be gentle. If there is still a feeling of swelling and pain, ask your husband to gently suck and massage the nipples with his tongue. Effective breast massage can make it easier for babies to suck breast milk. Some mothers have excess milk, so it is advisable to squeeze out the excess milk in time.