COMMON PROBLEMS WITH BREASTFEEDING: SORE NIPPLES
For many mothers, the first few days of breastfeeding are usually accompanied by sore or cracked nipples. Pain is often felt at the beginning of a feed and eases off as the baby continues sucking. This can be very distressing, especially if you are already fatigued after the delivery. Limit feeds to a maximum of 10 minutes on each breast for the first few days. Sore nipples are invariably due to incorrect positioning of the baby on the breast during feeds. If your nipples do become tender, ask a breastfeeding consultant, or your maternal and child health nurse to check the position of your baby while feeding. Avoid using soaps or creams on your nipples, as these can have a drying effect and can actually worsen the problem. Try rubbing some hindmilk into both nipples after a feed; the high fat content can aid healing by acting as a protective barrier against drying. Make sure that when you want to take your baby off your nipple you break the suction by inserting your little finger between your breast and his mouth. If your nipples are very sore, try expressing for 24 hours, to give them a chance to heal. Expose them to the air as much as possible. Occasionally babies can get a thrush infection of the mouth, and this can be transferred to the mother’s nipple during feeding. This condition requires treatment for both mother and baby, and you should see your doctor, who will recommend an antifungal preparation which is safe for you to use. Trying to ‘prepare’ your nipples during pregnancy by using creams, friction or methylated spirits should be avoided.
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