Is nipple and areola cracking caused by incorrect breastfeeding posture?

Because the breasts are not cleaned properly during lactation, and the breasts need to be breastfed for a long time, the breasts are kept moist for a long time. When the milk dries on the nipples, it will cause the nipples to crack and lead to skin damage. Therefore, you must choose the appropriate method to adjust them in normal times. Generally, if the nipples and areolas are accidentally cracked, they need to be wiped clean in time and the breasts need to be maintained. If the cracks are more serious, you need to stop breastfeeding and use medication.

What to do with cracked nipples

1. Nipple cleaning

When cleaning the nipples, soap is highly alkaline and irritating, so it is not recommended to use it. Also, do not choose to apply medicated oils to the breasts. Just use warm water for cleaning.

2. Breastfeeding posture

Patients with chapped nipples can first use the side without symptoms to let the child suck, making sure the child holds most of the areola in the mouth to reduce the friction of the nipple. Proper breastfeeding posture can reduce the pain caused by the disease and effectively improve the symptoms.

3. Breast placement

In between breastfeeding, expose the cracked breasts to the sun to help the wounds heal. After feeding, choose a loose bra and make sure to straighten the nipples. The flowing air will help heal the wound.

4. Not wiping away the milk

After your child finishes drinking milk, do not wipe the milk stains off the nipples. The antibacterial factors and proteins contained in breast milk help wounds heal themselves. It should be noted that only one drop of milk should be left on the nipple. If breast milk overflows, it should be dealt with immediately.

5. Expressing breast milk

If some mothers still experience nipple pain after changing breastfeeding positions, it may be because the breasts are swollen and the child is not drinking enough breast milk, resulting in excessive milk accumulation in the breasts. It is recommended to express all the breast milk in the breast before the wound heals.

6. Avoid infection

Mothers should pay attention to bacterial infections to avoid inflammation. Mothers with chapped breasts can use warm water to clean their breasts first, and then apply compound benzoin tincture on the cracks. Or you can choose Chinese medicine such as Phellodendron chinense and Angelica dahurica, grind them into powder, mix them evenly with sesame oil or honey, and then apply them to the wound. Please note that when using (Chinese and Western) medicines, you must clean the medicine before feeding it to your child. After applying the medicine, the breast can be covered with a special shield or sterilized medical gauze to protect the breast and help the wound heal.

7. Stop breastfeeding

If the symptoms are severe, it is recommended to stop breastfeeding for one to two days. Or you can choose to feed your child artificial milk (breast pump) to avoid direct contact between your child and cracked nipples. If your breast milk supply is low during an illness, there are two solutions. One is to ask a friend who is breastfeeding to help feed the baby, usually 1-2 times a day; the other is to use formula milk instead of breast milk. After about a day, the wound on the nipple will heal and you can breastfeed normally.

8. Seek medical attention promptly

If the wound on the nipple does not heal for a long time, it is recommended to go to the hospital for treatment. Patients with mild symptoms can choose to apply pediatric cod liver oil drops to the affected area and pay attention to the cleanliness of the nipples. If the symptoms are severe, you should seek medical advice before treating the wound.

9. Inverted Nipple

Mothers with mild inverted nipples can expose their nipples first and then feed their children. Clean your nipples promptly after breastfeeding. If the nipple cracks are severe, breast milk can be artificially extracted and put in a bottle for the baby. Mothers with severely inverted nipples or nipples that are too small can ask a doctor for advice on relieving symptoms through surgery, and pay attention to wound care.