Short nipples and breastfeeding pain

Nips are quite important for breastfeeding women, because if there are problems with the nipples, various problems will arise during breastfeeding. For example, if the nipples are short, it will cause pain during breastfeeding. In such circumstances, mothers also need to change their breastfeeding methods in order to ensure their own comfort. Here I will introduce to you some relevant knowledge about the pain of breastfeeding due to short nipples!

1. Why does it hurt to breastfeed because of short nipples?

1. Your baby’s latching method is incorrect

If the baby makes a sucking sound when latching on to the milk, it means that the baby is not sucking the milk! If the breastfeeding method is incorrect, it may easily cause injury to the mother's nipples. Remember to readjust the baby's breastfeeding position.

Let the baby's body face the mother, as close to the mother's body as possible, with the mouth wide open, the lower lip turned outward, the chin against the breast, and the upper areola exposed more than the lower areola. After the baby sucks correctly, the shallow and fast sucking stimulation will change to slow and regular sucking and swallowing.

2. Skin broken due to friction and pulling

In the early stages of breastfeeding, simple skin injuries may occur due to frequent friction or the baby biting the nipple. At this time, be sure to clean your hands before each breastfeeding, and drop some milk on the nipple and areola before and after feeding.

When resting, you can wear a nursing garment to expose your nipples and reduce the friction caused by clothes, which can alleviate the discomfort of broken skin.

3. The nipple is infected by Candida

When Candida infection occurs, the nipple will not break, but a circle of redness will appear along the nipple and areola. When the infection is serious, the nipple will feel burning and itchy, and white spots will appear on the baby's mouth and tongue, which is commonly known as thrush.

2. Things to note when breastfeeding hurts because of short nipples

1. Change breast pads frequently, choose comfortable cotton underwear, do not clean the breasts intentionally (excessive cleaning will cause the loss of protective oils around the breasts), change breastfeeding positions. When the position and pressure points are different, the pain can be reduced, or breastfeeding on the less painful side can also help.

2. Although breastfeeding mothers can use a breast pump, it is recommended that they learn to express milk by hand so that they can express milk when they go out or when there are no props around.

3. There are multiple mammary glands in the breast. If you feel sore from frequent massage with your hands, you can use a wooden comb or a breast massage stick to keep the mammary glands unobstructed. When the mother first starts, she may not understand how to use it and how much strength to use. At this time, you may wish to consult a professional nurse for help.

4. Mastitis is particularly prone to occur during lactation, and paying attention when breastfeeding can alleviate the symptoms.

3. The correct way to breastfeed

(1) When breastfeeding, use your index and middle fingers to gently pinch the area above the areola, and try to make the nipple protrude so that the baby can hold the nipple well. At the same time, be careful to prevent the breast from blocking the baby's nostrils.

(2) You can pinch the nipple with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger and pull it outward every day. Hold each pull for at least one second. Pull about 30 times each time, at least four times a day. It is better to pull before breastfeeding. If the mother can insist on nipple stretching exercises every day, the problem of short nipples may be improved.

(3) Mothers can also use a breast pump to suck the nipple, sucking the nipple for about half a minute each time, for 5 to 10 times in a row, and repeat at least twice a day.