NIPPLE CARE

The benefits of breastfeeding are immense and that's why it deserves our full attention. It is possible to breastfeed with simple gestures that help to overcome discomfort and allow you to continue breastfeeding in good health and peace of mind.

SENSITIVITY AND COMFORT

Some initial anxiety and discomfort is natural, especially when you're a first-time mother.

During the first few feeds, the nipples are usually more sensitive as they need to adapt to the baby's sucking. This discomfort is temporary. However, there are situations in which it lasts beyond the first few days, and the sensitivity gives way to macerated nipples, with small cracks that are more or less painful - breast cracks.

The causes are well known and the most common are:

• Poor adaptation of the baby to the breast, due to an incorrect "grip" - a situation that may be related to the baby's incorrect position during breastfeeding;
• Prolonged breastfeeding, which wears down the skin of the nipple.

HEALTHY NIPPLES

Breast cracks are preventable. With simple care:

• When breastfeeding, hold your baby correctly and make sure they take the breast in the most appropriate way - position them with their hips flexed and their mouth and nose facing the nipple. Support the breast so that it doesn't press on the baby's chin; bring the baby closer to the breast and encourage them to open their mouth;
• Use protective pads as they reduce friction with the nipple, but avoid getting them damp, as when they are pressed against the nipple, they contribute to macerating the skin;
• Avoid interrupting the feed: but if you have to, do it gently by putting a finger in the baby's mouth so that he lets go of the nipple;
• Wash your nipples only once a day (at bath time) and avoid body care products that are aggressive to the nipples (such as soaps, alcohol or any drying product).

There is other care that helps to prevent cracks from forming on the nipples and at the same time helps to restore softness to the skin:

• After bathing and each feeding, put a few drops of breast milk on the nipple and areola and leave to air dry: it heals, moisturizes the skin and protects against infections
• Between feeds, apply a moisturizing/calming ointment (e.g. pure lanolin) to the nipple and areola. Ask your pharmacy;
• Use hydrogel pads, which provide cooling relief and protection for the nipples

If you feel pain when breastfeeding, it is useful to:

• Start the feed with the least painful nipple;
• Correct the placement of the baby at the breast and change the baby's position, seeking greater comfort;
• Until the nipple improves and in the event of severe pain, use a milk extractor to prevent further complications and continue to stimulate milk production.

Sometimes the cracked nipple may bleed and the baby will swallow the blood. This is not a problem and does not prevent you from continuing to breastfeed. The pain can be intense, but it is important that you continue breastfeeding.

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