Why is my breast itchy when I breastfeed?

The breast is an important reproductive organ in the female body. After a woman gives birth, due to changes in hormones in the body, breast milk will be produced. Breast milk is an important source of food for the baby. At the same time, breast health is also an issue that every woman should pay attention to. During breastfeeding, mothers may experience breast itching. What causes this?

There are generally two reasons for nipple itching during breastfeeding. The first is that as the amount of milk increases after childbirth, the mammary ducts will swell and the surrounding skin will break. In order to adapt to the needs of breastfeeding, breast hyperplasia will cause the skin of the breast to be pulled, resulting in the so-called stretch marks on the breast, which causes itching symptoms. Another reason is caused by breastfeeding itself. The breast skin is not adapted to the baby's milk sucking and milk stagnation, which is similar to an allergic reaction. Therefore, there is no particularly good way to deal with the first situation.

Suggestions: It is recommended to massage with olive oil when you are not breastfeeding. In other cases, you should clean the nipples and maintain breast skin care. You can massage with olive oil or wipe with a hot towel and then gently massage with olive oil.

Breastfeeding mothers need to pay special attention to the following issues:

(1) During the lactation period, the mother should ensure adequate nutrition to meet the physiological needs of both mother and baby. Otherwise, it may result in insufficient milk or lack of milk, which will affect the growth and development of the baby. It may also cause excessive consumption of body fat, resulting in weight loss, which may easily lead to breast atrophy in the future.

(2) Breastfeeding mothers should maintain a good mental state, be in a good mood, lead a regular life, get enough sleep, and avoid various mental stimulations and negative emotions that may cause poor milk secretion and excretion.

(3) When breastfeeding, you should try to empty the milk as much as possible. If the baby cannot completely suck out the milk each time, use a breast pump to suck it out to avoid milk congestion, otherwise it is easy to cause bacterial infection and lead to acute mastitis.

(4) When breastfeeding, feed alternately on both sides to avoid breast asymmetry caused by feeding one side too much.

(5) Pay attention to health care during breastfeeding to avoid acute inflammation of the breast caused by milk accumulation, trauma, nipple biting by the baby, etc.; breastfeeding mothers should avoid contact with toxic substances such as benzene, lead, mercury, organophosphorus, and various radioactive substances such as X-rays and isotopes, and use various drugs with caution or not at all.

(6) During breastfeeding, you should wear a soft cotton bra. During breastfeeding, the breasts become larger and more prone to sagging due to gravity. A bra can help to stabilize and support the breasts, thereby preventing them from sagging. A cotton bra can prevent fiber dust particles from chemical fiber fabrics from entering the mammary ducts, thereby avoiding the resulting milk secretion and excretion disorders.

(7) Breastfeeding should not exceed one year. Generally, six to ten months is appropriate to prevent ovarian function suppression, excessive breast atrophy and degeneration, and decreased sexual desire caused by prolonged breastfeeding.