Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience for the mother and the baby that brings them closer to each other. However, for some nursing mothers, breastfeeding can become a very painful experience. For some, the nipple may get cracked, painful and bleed; whereas for others, the breast may be uncomfortably swollen. Milk may not flow when they are trying to breastfeed their baby or flow uncontrollably when it should not.
Some of these women give up breastfeeding in frustration without knowing that they can make breastfeeding a comfortable and successful experience and ease the pain and discomfort by learning and practicing proper breastfeeding techniques. There are some home remedies that can make your breastfeeding experience rewarding and comfortable for you and your baby. With some simple adjustments, you can get rid of pain and enjoy these happy moments.
The cause of breast feeding pain varies from women to women depending on where exactly the pain occurs. For example, pain in the nipple usually occurs when the baby latches on incorrectly to the nipple. To avoid nipple soreness, make sure that your baby latches on the nipple correctly. Baby’s mouth should be completely open and the center of the nipple should be at the back of the baby’s mouth.
Most of the areola (the skin surrounding the nipple) should be in the baby’s mouth. If you just put the nipple in the baby’s mouth, you will experience pain as soon as soon as your baby latches on and the tender skin of the nipple can eventually crack and bleed and even can get infected. Correct nursing position will relieve you from pain.
Holding the baby correctly is also necessary while nursing. Hold your baby in one of your arms in such a way that her whole body, not just the head, faces yours. Now place your fingers above and below the areola to hold the breast so that the baby latches on to it properly.
To make the baby open her mouth widely, brush the lower lip of your baby with the tip of your breast. Bring her close to your chest and quickly slide your nipple into the mouth, before she closes her mouth around the areola. Her sucking will no longer cause pain. Also wear bras that can protect the delicate nipples from friction, not just fashion bras.
Another way you can make yourself and the baby comfortable while nursing is by putting a pillow on your lap to bring the baby close to your breast.
This will help to bring his mouth to the level of the nipple. Holding the baby too low or too high will make sucking difficult for the baby and you will feel pain.
While removing the baby from your breast, don’t just pull your breast apart. It can damage the breast. Slide your finger gently between the corner of baby’s mouth and your breast.
Some nursing women experience pain in the fleshly part of their breast due to the engorgement of breast with milk. This usually occurs initially after the milk comes, before the body gets a chance to adjust the milk production according to your baby’s needs. Engorgement can also occur when the milk production exceeds your baby’s ability to draw the milk or the baby’s appetite decreases due to illness or feedings are scheduled several hours apart.
If you are experiencing engorgement, warm compress can ease the discomfort. Use heating pad on the upper and lower part of your breast or just heat a towel in the microwave and place on your breast. Warm showers can also help to let down the milk and ease discomfort. Engorgement usually resolves on its own within a short period.
A simple remedy to avoid nipple pain is to rub breast milk all over the nipple just like an ointment and allow the nipples to dry. Breast milk has antibacterial properties which can help to fight bacteria or any infection and also promotes healing from pain.
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