What causes nipple cracking during lactation?

The breast health of breastfeeding women needs to be paid special attention to, because during this period the breasts will continue to secrete milk for the baby, and the nipples will change greatly during this process, and some abnormal conditions may occur. For example, nipple cracking is a common symptom of lactation. Let’s take a look at what causes nipple cracking during lactation?

Nipple fissures are a common symptom during postpartum breastfeeding, and the symptoms are nipple cracks. In severe cases, the nipples of patients may discharge pus and bleed. If the wound is not treated for a long time, it is easy to develop into an ulcer. At this time, the wound needs to be handled with caution to avoid mastitis. Patients experience excruciating pain when breastfeeding. The cause of this phenomenon is usually that the baby bites the nipple while drinking milk, or other bruises.

1. Wrong breastfeeding method

Due to incomplete knowledge of breastfeeding, some new mothers do not put the front of the breast (areola and nipple) into the child's mouth when breastfeeding, causing the child to often drink milk at the front of the nipple. Prolonged sucking and friction can cause cracks in the nipple. At the same time, new mothers should pay attention to alternating between breasts to feed their babies. If one breast is frequently used, it may cause nipple fissures in that breast.

2. Excessive milk secretion

Some new mothers have plenty of milk, and even after their babies have finished drinking, there is still a lot of milk left. Generally, breast milk will leak out, which will then erode the nipple and areola, leading to

Causes symptoms of eczema or erosion. If the problem is not effectively solved within a short period of time, or if the recovery is not ideal, it will cause symptoms of chapped skin.

3. Children’s oral cavity

Babies' brains are not fully developed, and they have poor motor control. Some children may have inflammation in their mouths, or they may bite their nipples while breastfeeding, which can cause nipple fissures. Some children who already have teeth do not hold most of the breast in their mouth when drinking milk, but only bite the nipple, which may cause nipple cracks.

4. Inverted or small nipples

The former is divided into three types according to the degree of invagination. The symptom of first-degree inverted nipple is that it comes out with light squeezing. The manifestation of second degree inverted nipple is that the front end of the nipple is buried in the middle of the areola, and the nipple can be easily squeezed out with fingers to expose. The symptoms of third degree inverted nipple are: the nipple is deeply sunken in the areola and it is difficult to expose it even with fingers. Small nipples are also caused by congenital factors. It will be difficult for the baby to drink milk, which may cause excessive sucking and damage the nipple.