How to get rid of nipple sores?
- Oct 14, 2020
- 2 min read
Nipple sores are common and cause lot of discomfort during breastfeeding. They mainly occur due to poor latching or latching on empty breasts. They can also occur if the mother is wearing tight bras or is using lot of soap to clean the nipples.
When a mother has nipple sores, she can have terrible pain during the first suck of each feeding session. In some mothers, the pain can last all through the breastfeeding session. In rare cases, the pain can last even after the breastfeeding session is over and the whole breast may pain for several minutes.
If nipple sores are not nipped at the bud, the mother may suffer the pain for a long duration making each breastfeeding session a painful experience. It can lead to decreased milk production, depression in the mother and infection in the breasts known as mastitis. Breast infection may eventually lead to breast abscess which warrants surgical intervention.
Follow these tips to prevent nipples sores:
Learn about latching and breastfeeding techniques before delivery itself. Mothers are in good mindset to learn and assimilate breastfeeding aspects much better before delivery.
Concentrate well on correct latching right from the first breastfeeding session.
Treat you nipples and breasts the way you handle your baby. Never squeeze the breasts or nipples. Do not use harsh soaps or tight bras.
There is no need to clean the nipples before every feeding session. Infact, frequent cleaning and rubbing against the nipples can remove protective natural oils and damage the superficial layers of the nipple skin.
Apply lanolin cream, butter or ghee to the nipples after feeding session is over, to maintain suppleness and preserve moisture. This will prevent erosion of the skin that leads to soreness. These can be wiped off with soft cloth before the next feeding session
Wear only cotton clothing over the breasts.
If you have insufficient milk production, it is a good idea to make the baby latch and suck for a long time. But donot do too much of that because it can erode the nipple skin.
Follow these tips to treat nipples sores:
First and foremost step is to correct the latching technique and position. Meet your obstetrician, pediatrician or a lactation consultant to check your techniques and correct them.
Apply lanolin cream, butter or ghee after each feeding and wipe before feeding.
In case of infection of nipples with swelling, an antibacterial and antifungal cream with a mild steroid may be applied after consulting your pediatrician or obstetrician. If baby has oral thrush, treat that also.
4. Paracetamol may be taken to relieve pain.
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