What causes soft and sagging nipples?

Although breastfeeding can promote the baby's physical health and growth and development, there is an unavoidable price to pay for the breasts. Long-term continuous sucking, coupled with frequent biting or pulling, can cause the nipples to begin to deform and feel like they are falling. In this case, you should choose the appropriate treatment method so that you can recover faster.

1. Will the breasts and nipples sag and become deformed after breastfeeding? What should I do if my areola changes color?

Many new mothers experience sagging breasts after giving birth, which is caused by milk engorgement and gravity, not breastfeeding. If you also use the wrong breastfeeding posture or incorrect milking method, breast sagging may indeed be obvious.

Regarding nipple sagging and deformation, breastfeeding does affect the color and shape of the nipples to a greater or lesser extent. First of all, the baby's sucking may cause the nipple to stretch. Secondly, the friction during sucking, the stimulation of saliva, etc., can also easily cause irritation of the nipple, which in turn causes pigmentation and makes the nipple look darker.

What should I do if my nipples become deformed or discolored? Just like other parts of the body, nipples can use whitening products, but because the skin on the nipples is more sensitive, try to avoid products containing acids or exfoliants. You can apply a small amount as a test at first. If there is no irritation, sensitivity or other discomfort after a day or two, apply it to the entire area. In addition, the nipples can also be treated with laser or pulsed light. Please note that these treatments can only be performed after breastfeeding has stopped.

2. Is it better to feed with a bottle or by yourself?

In the early days after giving birth, it is recommended to feed the baby by yourself, which can stimulate the mother to increase the amount of milk. Therefore, as long as the mother's physical condition can cooperate, she should try to feed the baby by herself. However, if you really cannot breastfeed yourself due to work or other reasons, you can choose another method: bottle feeding. Nowadays, many baby bottles are made with "breast milk style" nipples, which are a good alternative.

Many mothers worry about feeding the baby themselves, and then adjust to bottle feeding. Will the baby become unaccustomed to it? Babies suck differently when they are fed by hand or bottle-fed, so it takes some time to adjust the feeding method. It is recommended that mothers who want to change the way they breastfeed can start by "feeding with a bottle two to three times a day" and slowly help their baby adjust the habit.