What should I do if my breasts become swollen while breastfeeding?

Breast pain during lactation is mostly caused by milk congestion. In this case, the excess milk needs to be discharged as soon as possible. You can use a breast pump to suck out the milk, or let the baby suck more. If the milk is not discharged in time, it can easily lead to mastitis. Massage your breasts more often and use hot compresses to relieve breast pain as soon as possible. You also need to keep a good mood at ordinary times.

What is the cause of breast pain and lumps during lactation?

Reason 1: Milk stasis

Treatment: Wear a comfortable bra, apply hot compress on the affected side for 3-5 minutes before breastfeeding, massage the breast to clear the lumps, increase the number of feedings, express milk correctly and use a breast pump.

Reason 2: Mastitis

Treatment: Use a breast pump as early as possible. If there is no breast abscess, the expressed milk can continue to be fed. If a breast abscess occurs, the expressed milk should be discarded. You should see a doctor and receive anti-inflammatory treatment under the doctor's guidance.

Reason 3: Nipple Illusion

Cause: Within one month after the baby is born, if the mother's milk production is low or the mother and baby are separated for various reasons, such as feeding the baby with milk from a bottle, the baby may no longer be willing to suck the mother's nipple.

Treatment: Maintain confidence in breastfeeding and do not give up breastfeeding easily; make full use of the breast pump to help mothers promote milk secretion in various difficult situations; use auxiliary feeding devices and special feeding cups, and try to avoid using bottles.

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What to do if you have nipple pain during breastfeeding

The most common problem encountered by new mothers during breastfeeding is nipple pain. If a new mother experiences nipple pain, the first thing to do is to see whether the baby is feeding correctly. If the baby's sucking pressure is on the nipple instead of the areola, it will cause pain. The correct way to breastfeed requires the baby to open his mouth as wide as possible so that most of the areola can be covered.

Don't forget to check your child's tongue, the front of which should be resting on the lower gums, cupped between the lower lip and breast. When cradling your baby, keep him/her close to your breast to avoid stretching your nipple. Also stop using bottles or pacifiers to prevent your baby from developing nipple confusion.

New mothers should pay attention to keeping their nipples clean and dry, and let the nipples dry naturally after breastfeeding. Remember not to use soapy water or alcohol to clean the nipples. This will not only make it difficult to achieve the purpose of cleaning, but may also wash away the natural sebum on the surface of the nipples, making the nipples more prone to cracking. It is also not advisable to use quick drying methods such as a hair dryer to dry the nipples. If possible, expose the nipples to the sun for a few minutes.

Avoid any lotions that require washing off as they are not safe for children. Bras should be loose fitting and not have underwires. When the pain is very severe, you can consider using a nipple cover, which is a soft cover made of silicone that can cover the nipple and areola. The baby sucks milk through the cover. It is sold in baby products stores. Choose one that is as thin as possible, and it is best to use it only for a few days to relieve the mother's pain, and do not use it for a long time.