Breast pain during breastfeeding

The breastfeeding period is a difficult time for many women, because there are many problems that breastfeeding women need to face. One of the most common problems is the pain in the chest that feels like a needle prick. This pain may be caused by improper sucking of the baby, or it may be caused by nipple cracks, excessive milk or breast hyperplasia. Below, we will introduce to you the common causes of breast pain during breastfeeding!

1. Improper sucking

The most common cause of breast pain after feeding during lactation is improper sucking by the baby. When the baby sucks the nipple, he does not put enough of the areola into his mouth, but only holds the top of the nipple. Repeated sucking will cause nipple pain.

The baby cannot absorb some of the fiber particles on the wall of the milk duct, and these particles will swell and eventually form lumps when soaked in milk, causing mammary gland obstruction. After the baby finishes feeding, the breasts will secrete milk again, and the lumps will cause stinging pain under the impact of milk and secretions. Breastfeeding mothers can massage their breasts to relieve the pain.

2. Nipple cracks

After breastfeeding, the mother may feel a pricking pain in the nipples. This may be because the skin of the new mother's nipples is relatively delicate and cannot withstand the stimulation of the baby's sucking, especially when there is insufficient milk or the nipples are too small or inverted. As the baby sucks and bites the nipples hard, the nipple epidermis is soaked in saliva and becomes softened, peeled off, and eroded, forming cracks of varying sizes.

3. Lactation pain

If you feel breast pain after feeding, it may be lactation pain. After feeding your baby, your breasts are empty and the mammary glands will produce milk vigorously, especially at night when prolactin is high and milk secretion is high, the pain will be more obvious.

4. Excessive milk

Excessive milk accumulation in the breasts may also cause breast pain. It is recommended that breastfeeding mothers use a breast pump to suck out the milk in the breasts and empty it. However, it should not be used too frequently and attention should be paid to the method of use. Also, you should eat less spicy food and focus on a light diet.

5. Breast hyperplasia

Breast hyperplasia may also cause breast pain because milk can stimulate the nerves in the mammary capsule, so try to avoid milk accumulation in the breasts. Catching a cold may also cause breast pain, so be sure to keep warm. At night, you can wet a hot towel and perform hot compress massage on your breasts. At the same time, pay attention to the hygiene of the nipples and keep them clean.