Introduction to cracked nipples during lactation

When a mother's nipples rupture during breastfeeding, she should pay attention to the cleanliness of her nipples, because ruptured nipples can easily lead to bacterial infection. When nipples crack during breastfeeding, breastfeeding mothers should avoid letting their children suck, as this will cause the wound to not heal. So mothers can learn about cracked nipples during breastfeeding as introduced in this article.

1. Causes of Nipple Crack

The nipple skin of a new mother is relatively delicate and cannot withstand the stimulation of the baby's sucking, especially when there is insufficient milk or the nipples are too small or inverted. As the baby sucks and bites the nipples hard, the nipple epidermis is soaked in saliva and becomes softened, peeled off, and eroded, forming cracks of varying sizes. In addition, the baby's sucking posture is incorrect, and the nipple and most of the areola are not covered, or the nurse excessively cleans the nipple with soap, alcohol and other irritants, causing the nipple to become too dry, which can easily cause the nipple skin to crack. In severe cases, the nipple may become ulcerated and lead to secondary infection.

Generally speaking, the yellow liquid that seeps out of the crack will often form a scab after drying, which is dry and painful. Especially when the baby is breastfeeding, it will feel like a knife cutting and is unbearable. Once bacteria enter through the crack, they will invade the breast and cause mastitis or breast abscess, necessitating the interruption of breastfeeding.

2. Prevention of Nipple Cracks

Nipple cracks often recur after healing. In order to avoid recurrence, it is very important to take preventive measures.

1. Develop good breastfeeding habits and breastfeed regularly every day. Each breastfeeding time should not be too long, 15-20 minutes is enough, and once every 4 hours.

2. Wash the nipples and areola, including the hard scabs on the nipples, with warm water before and after each feeding. Keep them dry and clean to prevent cracks in the nipples and areola skin.

3. Gently wipe the nipples frequently with a dry and soft towel to increase the toughness of the nipple epidermis and avoid damage during sucking.

4. Inverted or flat nipples will greatly affect breastfeeding and should be corrected actively. Every time you scrub the nipple, gently pinch the nipple outward with your hands; or gently pull the nipple outward with your fingers while twisting it, and then wipe the nipple with 70% alcohol. Once the nipple skin becomes tough, it is no longer prone to inversion.

The article introduces in detail the prevention methods and causes of nipple rupture during lactation. We hope that female friends can pay attention to it, which will help us prevent bacterial infections. In order to prevent nipple cracking during breastfeeding, we need to wipe it frequently with a dry and soft towel and develop good breastfeeding habits.