Chapped nipple is a common problem for new mothers after delivery. This problem will not only cause pain, but also affect daily breastfeeding, so we must find ways to avoid or treat it. So what is a chapped nipple? How to do with chapped nipple during lactation? What are the preventive methods of chapped nipple? How to do with chapped nipple during lactation? Prevention of chapped nipple.

cracked nipple

Chapped nipple is a common symptom of postpartum lactation, and its symptom is chapped nipple. In severe cases, the nipple will discharge pus and bleed. If left untreated for a long time, the wound can easily become an ulcer. At this time, it is necessary to handle the wound carefully to avoid breast abscess. Patients will have unbearable pain when breastfeeding. The reason for this phenomenon is generally that the baby bit the nipple when drinking milk, or other contusions.

How to do with chapped nipple during lactation?

1, nipple cleaning. When cleaning nipples, soap is alkaline and irritating, so it is not recommended to use it, and do not choose medicinal oil to apply to breasts. Use warm water when cleaning.

2, breastfeeding posture. Patients with rhagadia can suck on the asymptomatic side first, and pay attention to let the child hold most of the areola to reduce the friction between the child and the nipple. Correct breastfeeding posture will alleviate the pain caused by the disease and effectively improve the condition.

3. Breast placement. During the interval of feeding, the cracked breasts are exposed, which can bask in the sun and help the wound heal. Choose a loose bra after feeding, and pay attention to straightening the nipple. The flowing air helps the wound to heal.

4. Don't wipe the milk. Don't wipe off the milk stains on the nipple after the child drinks the milk. Antibacterial factors and protein contained in breast milk are helpful for wound self-repair. It should be noted that only one drop of milk can be left on the nipple. If breast milk overflows, it should be treated immediately.

5. Breast milk. If some mothers still have nipple tingling after changing their breastfeeding posture, it may be because the breast is swollen and the child does not drink enough breast milk, resulting in excessive accumulation of milk in the breast. It is recommended to express the breast milk before the wound heals.

6. Avoid infection. Mom should pay attention to bacterial infection to avoid inflammation. Mothers with chapped symptoms can wash their breasts with warm water first, and then apply compound benzoin tincture to the cracks. Or choose Cortex Phellodendri and Radix Angelicae Dahuricae in traditional Chinese medicine to grind into powder, mix well with sesame oil or honey, and then apply it to the early wound. Note that when using (Chinese and western medicine) drugs, clean the drugs first, and then feed them to the children. The coated breast can be covered with a special protective sleeve or sterilized medical gauze to protect the breast and help the wound heal.

7. Stop breastfeeding. If the symptoms are serious, it is recommended to stop breastfeeding for a day or two. Or choose to manually take milk (breast pump) and feed it to your child to avoid direct contact with chapped nipples. If the breast milk content is low during illness, there are two solutions. First, let friends help feed the children during lactation, generally 1-2 times/day; The second is to replace breast milk with formula milk powder. After about one day, the wound on the nipple healed and breastfeeding can be carried out normally.

8. Seek medical attention in time. When the nipple wound has not healed for a long time, it is recommended to go to the hospital. Patients with mild symptoms can choose children's cod liver oil drops to wipe the affected area, and pay attention to the cleaning of nipples. Those with severe symptoms should consult a doctor before dealing with the wound.

9, nipple invagination. A mother with mild invagination can show her nipples before feeding her child. Clean nipples in time after breastfeeding. If the nipple is chapped seriously, you can manually take out the breast milk and put it in a bottle for your child to drink. Mothers with serious invagination or small nipples can consult a doctor, relieve symptoms through surgery and pay attention to wound care.

Prevention of chapped nipple

1, clean the nipple. You can clean the nipple with a dry soft towel, which can make the skin on the nipple surface more elastic and reduce the probability of contusion during feeding. Don't choose alcohol or soap when cleaning nipples.

2. Pay attention to personal hygiene. A mother should wash her hands before nursing her baby. It is not recommended that mothers keep long nails to prevent nails from scratching nipples and bringing bacteria into wounds.

3, pay attention to breastfeeding posture. When feeding, let the child contain the areola as much as possible; After feeding, it is recommended to gently take the breast out of the child's mouth (gently press the child's chin to open his mouth) to avoid forcibly pulling and bruise the nipple.

4. Control breastfeeding time. The liquid in the child's mouth will soak the soft nipple, which will aggravate the symptoms; Bacteria in the child's mouth may infect the wound. Therefore, it is suggested that the breastfeeding time should be controlled within 20min minutes. After the child is full, he can choose to cover the nipple with sterile gauze, and then wear underwear to protect the nipple.

5, open milk early. Mother's early breastfeeding can help children suck breast milk and relieve the symptoms of breast pain and nipple swelling.

6. Adjust nipples in time. If there is nipple invagination or nipple is too small, the breast can be fine-tuned before pregnancy.