Breastfeeding tingling pain like needles

The health of women’s breasts during breastfeeding must be taken seriously, because breast milk is the main source of nutrition for the baby. If there is a problem with breast milk, it will endanger the healthy growth of the baby. At the same time, many mothers have various breast problems during breastfeeding, such as red and swollen nipples, nipple cracks, mastitis, etc. Some women experience breast pain during breastfeeding, like being pricked by a needle. What is going on?

This is called "milk duct spasm"

Mammary duct spasm often occurs during lactation. Generally, the patient's breasts will feel a series of tingling sensations, like being pricked by needles, without any signs. Sometimes the "pinprick" sensation will occur even when not breastfeeding.

Mammary duct spasm is different from the milk let-down reflex. Even if the breasts are not swollen or have lumps, you will still feel tingling. But it is worth noting that when the breasts are full and swollen, the tingling sensation will be significantly reduced.

A special case:

Some mothers not only feel tingling, but also notice that their nipples and areolas appear to be contracted, and the nipples turn purple when full. It is likely a fungal infection caused by nipple damage, which is common in new mothers around 3 months old. The treatment method is to apply antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent the spread.

Emptying the breasts does not mean unclogging the breasts

If new mothers are not careful about their diet, their breast milk will become oily. If they have not done a good job of developing milk production before, even if there are no lumps, the edges of the mammary glands may not be unobstructed, so they will not feel it during breastfeeding. After breastfeeding, the milk stains on the edges of the mammary glands will begin to form.

What causes breast pain?

1. If there is no milk blockage, do not empty the breasts (and the breasts cannot be emptied anyway), this can reduce the pain.

2. Eat a light diet and drink plenty of water; apply appropriate hot compress after feeding.

3. Put four fingers together and push from the base of the breast toward the nipple. When you reach the areola, you can make a C shape and squeeze the areola like you are squeezing milk (you don't have to squeeze out milk). This will relieve the cramps.

Doctors have no good solution for the stinging pain caused by milk duct spasm, they can only relieve it. As mentioned earlier, the stinging sensation is less severe when the breasts are full, so increasing milk supply is the best way to solve the stinging pain.

The prerequisite for breastfeeding is to let the baby suck more. The more he sucks, the more milk he will produce. The baby will be more willing to suck, forming a cycle, which can keep the mammary glands unobstructed for a long time. Therefore, finding ways to increase milk supply and let the baby suck more milk is the way to overcome breast pain.