What should I do if the connection between the nipple and areola is cracked?

During breastfeeding, mothers will encounter various problems. Sometimes cracks will appear on the surface of the nipple, and it will be very painful. If the situation is more serious, not only will cracks appear, but the cracks may also ulcerate, and the pain will be unbearable every time you breastfeed. So the question is, what should we do if the connection between the nipple and the areola is cracked?

Clinical manifestations

When the nipple is cracked, the baby will feel sharp pain, bleed, ooze, and form yellow crusts when sucking. Check the nipple and find small cracks or ulcers on its surface, which are nipple fissures. There can be one or more spots, with varying depths, and the nipple fissures can be circular or vertical. The cracked areas are often tender, and light yellow serous or bloody fluid can be seen oozing out. Erosions are often found in the groove around the nipple.

treat

1. When breastfeeding, you should start with the breast that is less painful to reduce the sucking force on the other breast, and let the nipple and part of the areola be sucked in the baby's mouth to prevent the nipple skin from becoming more chapped.

2. Alternate the position of the baby during breastfeeding so that the sucking force is dispersed around the nipple and areola.

3. Breastfeed frequently to facilitate milk emptying and soften the areola, which is easier for the baby to suck.

4. After breastfeeding, squeeze out a small amount of milk and apply it on the nipples and areola. Expose and dry the nipples briefly, preferably near a window in the sunlight. Because breast milk has antibacterial effects and is rich in protein, it is beneficial to the healing of nipple skin. After breastfeeding, you can also apply a thin layer of water-based lanolin on the nipples. It is harmless to the baby and does not need to be wiped off before breastfeeding.

5. Wear loose underwear and bras after breastfeeding, and put the nipple cover correctly to facilitate air circulation and healing of skin lesions.

6. If the nipple pain is severe or the breasts are swollen and the baby cannot suck the nipple well, breastfeeding can be temporarily stopped for 24 hours, but the milk should be expressed and fed to the baby with a small cup or spoon.

prevention

To prevent nipple cracking, mothers should do the following:

1. When breastfeeding, try to let the baby suck most of the areola, because the area below the areola is where the milk is concentrated. When sucking, the milk is sucked out like pressure, which saves the baby's energy when feeding and also protects the nipple. It is the most effective way to prevent nipple cracks.

2. Each feeding time should not exceed 20 minutes. If the nipple is immersed in the baby's mouth indefinitely, it is easy to sprain the nipple skin. There are also bacteria in the baby's mouth, which can cause breast infection through broken skin.

3. After feeding, make sure to wait until the baby's mouth relaxes the nipple before gently pulling out the nipple. Pulling the nipple hard may easily damage the nipple skin.