Soreness of the mammary glands is one of the most common symptoms in women during lactation. Such disturbances in well-being can be caused both by the normal process of adaptation to breastfeeding, and by various pathological processes that require the intervention of a specialist. In order to prevent the development of complications, it is necessary to pay attention to soreness in the chest and other alarming symptoms and start therapy in a timely manner.
The mammary glands of a woman are designed to feed the baby. During gestation, they are preparing for the lactation period: the mammary glands swell, the milk ducts expand, the nipples enlarge and darken, and colostrum begins to be released in the last months of gestation.
Attention! Colostrum is the secret of the mammary glands, released at 7-9 months and 3-4 days after childbirth. Then the colostrum is replaced by mature milk, which the baby eats until the end of the breastfeeding period.
After the birth of a child, various changes in a woman's body occur more rapidly. The work of various systems, especially the sexual one, is influenced by the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. Under their influence, the active production of milk by the mammary glands begins. Often this process can be accompanied by discomfort and even painful sensations.
This is due to the following factors:
- Intensive start of lactation And. In most cases, milk appears in the breast 2-4 days after childbirth, while its amount increases gradually. However, in some women, lactation occurs within one day and is profuse. As a result, patients experience a feeling of fullness and heaviness, often tingling in the chest and itching in the areola area. Unpleasant sensations disappear soon after the start of breastfeeding. If it is impossible to start breastfeeding in a timely manner, for example, with severe prematurity of a newborn, a woman may experience lactostasis. That is, the stagnation of milk in the milk ducts. To prevent such a pathology and maintain lactation, regular pumping is recommended.
Normally, the discomfort caused by adaptation to the onset of lactation does not last from several days to several weeks and does not cause severe pain to the patient. With the appearance of severe soreness, redness of the chest, pathological discharge from the nipples, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Improper attachment
Violation of the technique of attaching a child to the breast is one of the most common causes of breast tenderness. Unpleasant sensations are not caused by any pathological process in the woman's body. However, prolonged violation of feeding technique can lead to the appearance of deep cracks in the nipples and areolas and the development of infectious mastitis.
If the baby does not properly latch on the nipple, a woman develops a sharp pain in her chest, which persists or intensifies throughout the entire feeding process. In this case, you should remove the nipple from the baby's mouth and try to breastfeed him again. The following signs signal an incorrect grip on the nipple:
- the child sucks intensively, but the woman does not feel the emptying of the breast or a decrease in the amount of milk;
- acute pain during sucking;
- the areola is not in the baby's mouth;
- the nipple periodically slips out of the baby's mouth.
To get milk, the baby stimulates the areola, the pigmented area around the nipple that contains numerous lactiferous sinuses. And the nipple at this moment should be located towards the upper palate of the baby, acting as a conductor, and is not directly involved in the sucking process.
Attention! The lactiferous sinuses are reservoirs for the excretory ducts of the mammary glands. It is in them that milk accumulates.
With proper attachment, the baby intensively moves the lower jaw, practically without touching the nipple. The breast is quickly emptied, which ensures the normal circulation of milk and the absence of pain.
- For the child to open his mouth, touch the pad of his finger to his cheek or draw the nipple over the baby's lips.
- You should slightly pull the head of the newborn towards you so that most of the areola is in his mouth. In this case, the baby will not chew or rub the nipple with his tongue.
- If the baby is not able to properly latch on, gently squeeze the skin of the areola with two thumbs and forefingers and place it in the newborn's mouth.
During feeding, it is necessary to control the position of the baby and, if necessary, adjust the latch on the breast. This will prevent the formation of calluses and wounds on the nipple and areola.
Pathological causes of pain syndrome
If the pain during feeding is severe and does not stop for a long period, the cause is most likely the pathology of the mammary glands. The pain syndrome can be caused by stagnation of milk, a sharp reduction in the blood vessels of the chest, or an inflammatory process. In the event of the development of such violations, a woman needs the help of a specialist.
lactostasis
Lactostasis is a pathology in which milk is retained in the excretory ducts of the gland. The disturbance is usually caused by spasm or blockage of the excretory duct or, especially at the beginning of the breastfeeding period, by hyperlactation. Lactostasis occurs due to reduced sucking activity in an infant, wearing uncomfortable and pressing underwear, structural features of the breast: a flat nipple, tortuous milk ducts, ptosis of the glands, etc.
The main symptom of pathology is the appearance of a painful compaction in the chest. The patient may also experience the following symptoms:
- fever in the chest, hyperemia of the inflamed area;
- fever, chills;
- bursting, heaviness in the chest;
- inflammation of the saphenous veins;
- increase in the area of stagnation.
Attention! In the absence of therapy, the reverse partial absorption of milk components begins. As a result, a woman shows signs of intoxication of the body: hyperthermia, nausea or vomiting, cephalalgia, weakness and loss of appetite.
To eliminate lactostasis, it is necessary to resort to a number of therapeutic measures:
- Correctly apply the baby to the breast during feeding. Make sure that the baby captures most of the areola when sucking.
- Put the baby to the affected breast more often, feed on demand.
- Warm the chest with dry heat. It is not recommended to resort to this measure with severe general hyperthermia and fever.
- It is necessary to massage the chest 2-3 times a day with smooth circular movements. In this case, it is impossible to squeeze or strongly compress the gland.
- To stimulate the excretion of milk and the expansion of the milk ducts, you can take a warm bath or shower shortly before feeding.
- With severe edema and hyperthermia, express milk from the diseased gland before feeding.
- You should eat fully, observe the normal water-salt regime.
- After feeding, you need to apply an ice pack to the gland for 3-5 minutes. This measure helps to stop pain and swelling.
Attention! Treatment not started in a timely manner can lead to non-infectious mastitis - an inflammatory process in the gland.
Mastitis
Mastitis is a pathology of the functioning of the mammary gland caused by tissue inflammation. It can have both infectious and non-infectious etiology. More than 70% of patients develop as a result of long-term lactostasis. At the same time, due to the stagnation of milk in the ducts of the gland, an environment favorable for the penetration of pathogenic microflora is formed. As a result, an infection develops, leading to suppuration and a general violation of the patient's condition.
The following symptoms indicate the development of mastitis:
- Formation of a painful dense area in the gland. At the initial stage of the disease, it can be slightly palpable and almost painless. As the inflammatory process develops, a clear-cut abscess is formed or the tissues of the gland are impregnated with purulent contents.
- Hyperemia and swelling of the affected area. When a secondary infection is attached, the inflammation increases rapidly, leading to a sharp increase in the size of the gland, a feeling of severe pain and heat in the chest.
- Symptoms of general intoxication of the body. Patients complain of weakness, feeling of weakness, lack of appetite, cephalgia and dizziness, pain in the joints and muscles. If left untreated, there may be severe hyperthermia up to 39.5-40 ° C, vomiting, impaired consciousness.
- Fluctuation - a feeling of softening of the affected tissues, caused by the accumulation of purulent effusion in the gland. Determined by palpation of the chest.
In medical practice, there are three main forms of mastitis.
Varieties of mastitis
| Stage of the disease | Image | Current duration | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 days | Hyperthermia up to 38-39°C, heaviness and fullness in the chest, chills and fever, hyperemia of the skin | ||
| 5-10 days | Hyperthermia up to 39-39°C, symptoms of intoxication, lymphadenitis, formation of a painful infiltrate in the gland | ||
| More than 10 days | Hyperthermia over 39°C, severe intoxication of the body, severe swelling of the gland, abscess formation |
If mastitis is suspected, medical attention should be sought immediately. Timely initiated therapy will prevent the development of infection or suppress it in the early stages.
To eliminate serous mastitis, pharmacological treatment is carried out. The patient is shown broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs: Amoxiclav, Ospen, Augmentin etc. It is recommended to apply cold to the affected area, milk from the inflamed breast must be expressed regularly.
Attention! Most antimicrobials should not be combined with breastfeeding. You can only take antibiotics with a doctor's prescription in accordance with the instructions.
The resulting cavity is cleaned and drained. After the procedure, the woman is also shown a course of antibiotics for 5-10 days. If it is impossible to continue breastfeeding, drugs are prescribed to suppress lactation: Bromocriptine, Dostinex, Agalates etc.
Vasospasm
Vasospasm is a pronounced spasmodic contraction of the blood vessels of the chest. It occurs in most cases as a result of a temperature difference at the end of feeding, when the baby releases the nipple from the mouth. In this case, the patient shows a number of characteristic symptoms:
- In the area of the nipple and areola, an intense acute or burning pain syndrome occurs.
- The color of the areola changes from brownish-pink or beige to pale yellow or white.
- The sensitivity of the nipple is sharply reduced.
- The nipple acquires a normal shade a few minutes after feeding, while the pain syndrome is replaced by stabbing or throbbing unpleasant sensations.
In this case, vasospasms can be observed quite rarely or occur with each feeding.
To treat such a disorder, it is necessary to observe the technique of correctly applying the child to the breast. This will reduce the risk of developing spasms. To normalize the tone of the walls of blood vessels, the intake of B vitamins is indicated. Pyridoxine is especially effective. It improves blood flow and strengthens vascular tissue. The drug should be taken for at least two weeks. If necessary, the cycle is repeated with the resumption of vasospasm.
Magnesium preparations also have a positive effect on the condition of patients. For better absorption, experts recommend combining it with calcium. In this case, the duration of treatment and the dosage of the drug should be determined by the doctor.
With long-term vasospasm, it is necessary to take drugs that promote the expansion of peripheral vessels. The most commonly used remedy Nifedipine is a selective calcium channel blocker.
Attention! Massaging the gland itself is not recommended, as this can cause compression of the vessels and worsen the patient's condition.
Video - Pain during breastfeeding
Thrush
During lactation, the smallest cracks and abrasions often form on the skin of the breast, especially in the first weeks of feeding. Due to this, an infection, for example, a fungus, can easily penetrate into the tissues of the glands. As a result, a whitish coating forms on the patient's nipples. An identical plaque is noted on the tongue and the inner surface of the cheeks of the child. In a woman, the disease also manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- areola and nipples itch, acquire an intense pink-scarlet hue;
- small watery bubbles appear on the skin of the chest;
- when applying the child to the chest, there is a sharp pain in the nipples;
- may reduce milk production.
To treat the disease, the specialist prescribes drugs with a fungicidal effect to the woman. The most popular tool is Pimafucin. This is a medicine that is allowed to be used during breastfeeding, since it is not absorbed into milk and does not affect its properties. On average, the treatment of the disease takes 3-6 days. With breast thrush, the drug is applied topically 1-3 times a day.
Video - How to avoid breast problems while breastfeeding
Prevention of breast pain during lactation
To avoid the appearance of pain during breastfeeding, you must follow a number of recommendations:
- Attach the baby to the breast on demand. Such a measure will avoid the development of lactostasis.
- Control the correct technique of applying to the chest. Try not to allow constant feeding from only one breast.
- Drink a glass of warm water or weak tea 15-20 minutes before feeding. 0
At all these stages, it is very important to listen to your body and synchronize it with the needs of the child, this is the only way to achieve something that will bring the joy of communication to both the baby and the mother. But there are cases when errors in the process lead to the fact that a nursing mother has a chest pain.
These symptoms should in no case be ignored, since the consequences may be different depending on the cause of the pain during feeding, as well as on the degree of neglect of the case. Consider the main reasons why a nursing mother has breast pain.
Cracked nipples
At the first acquaintance of the baby with the breast, it is very important to properly attach, which will ensure the capture of not only the nipple, but also part of the areola and create pressure on the mammary gland necessary for lactation. Otherwise, when the baby grabs only the nipple, there is no stimulation of the mammary gland and milk does not flow out. The child does not receive proper nutrition, no matter how much he tries, and at the same time, the elongated nipple will certainly be injured. There are cracks on the nipples during feeding, which hurt terribly and prevent further attempts to properly attach the baby. At the same time, if you skip feeding, stagnation of milk in the breast forms, and this will entail even more serious problems that will violate the woman’s plans for breastfeeding the baby.
The reasons for the appearance of cracks, in addition to the incorrect position of the child and the incomplete capture of the halo during sucking, can also be added to the unpreparedness of the nipples and prolonged feeding of the baby with an underestimated sucking reflex. As a rule, nipple cracks occur in the early stages of breastfeeding, in the first week after childbirth. However, some women complaining to obstetricians that: “I am breastfeeding, my breasts hurt”, do not stop trying to establish breastfeeding and endure pain during the process of feeding.
How to Heal Cracked Nipples and Reduce Breastfeeding Pain
Treatment of nipple cracks takes from 2 - 3 days to a week, while the very next day the breast of a nursing mother hurts much less. For quick healing of the delicate skin of the nipple, the obstetrician may advise various healing ointments that act only on the epithelium and do not penetrate into the blood and milk, for example, Bepanten, Videstim, which are applied directly to the sore nipple after each feeding and washed off before it. In addition, for quick healing, it is necessary to provide air space for the nipples, that is, do not wear too tight underwear and more often open the crack site for several minutes a day.
Proper attachment of the baby will not only speed up healing, but will eliminate one of the causes of cracked nipples. Therefore, in the process of feeding, it is necessary to ensure that the lower lip of the baby is slightly turned outward, and the chin is adjacent to the chest.
In the event that it is very painful to breastfeed, it is necessary to apply the baby only to a healthy breast during the healing of the nipple, but if both nipples are damaged, use special silicone pads that distribute the load from sucking and partially relieve the sensation of pain. It is very important not to cry out every time the baby touches the nipple with his lips, otherwise he may be frightened and refuse the breast forever.
To prevent cracks, it is recommended to wipe the nipples with a terry towel during pregnancy, thereby making their surface rougher. Also, after each feeding, you can lubricate the surface of the nipple with a drop of "hind" milk, which has a good fat content and prevents thinning of the skin.
Breast lactostasis, causes and treatment
At the beginning of breastfeeding, when lactation is established, the vast majority of women have a problem with stagnation of milk in the breast and blockage of the milk ducts, called lactostasis.
Many mothers, especially in the first two weeks after childbirth, when lactation is just getting better, complain like this: "I'm breastfeeding, my chest hurts." You can cope with such a problem on your own, but before that you should definitely consult with an obstetrician - gynecologist, since the cause of pain during feeding or between them can be inflammatory processes, and this is already serious and subject to inpatient treatment.
The cause of lactostasis is most often the inexperience of a woman in the intricacies of breastfeeding. So, blockage of the ducts can occur when wearing too tight underwear, not intended for nursing mothers, an incorrect feeding position that does not ensure the outflow of milk from all lobes of the gland, and non-compliance with the drinking regimen. But perhaps the most basic and common cause of breast lumps during breastfeeding is a relic of the past - pumping milk to the last drop. The thing is that a woman's breasts are designed in such a way that milk does not accumulate in it, but is produced as needed. During the formation of lactation, it is the baby's need that determines how much milk to produce and after what period of time. In the event that after the child has eaten, continue to express milk, a signal goes to the brain that the baby is still eating and milk continues to be produced. At the next feeding, milk will be produced in the amount that the baby sucked, plus what the mother expressed. Thus, pumping leads to the production of excess milk and provokes its stagnation in the milk ducts.
Symptoms of lactostasis:
- Sensation of a stone chest.
- Seals in the mammary glands.
- The skin of the breast in places of compaction becomes hot.
- Pain while breastfeeding.
- Slight increase in body temperature.
Methods for the treatment of lactostasis
Regardless of whether breastfeeding with lactostasis is painful or tolerable, it was, and remains, the only way to get rid of milk stasis. In order to alleviate the pain from the feeding process, before this, it is necessary to express the breast a little, thereby reducing the flow of milk in order to make it easier for the child to cope with his task, and to dissolve the stagnation. It is also useful, which is carried out along the perimeter of the chest with circular massaging movements and also helps to eliminate blockage of the mammary gland.
Experts also recommend taking a warm shower before feeding, which relieves swelling in the chest, and in between feedings, you can use a cabbage leaf compress, which must first be lightly beaten off and smeared with honey. Such a compress perfectly relieves inflammation and promotes the resorption of bumps and seals in the mammary glands.
With a timely and correct approach to solving the problem of blockage of the ducts, you can get rid of the problem on your own in 2 to 3 days. In the event that, in addition to the fact that the chest of a nursing mother hurts, the temperature rises and purulent discharges flow from the nipple, the discharge must be urgently contacted by a medical institution.
Mastopathy during breastfeeding is not a hindrance to lactation, however, in places of adhesions, duct blockage often occurs and lactostasis occurs, therefore, mothers with such problems are advised to apply the baby to the breast more often and change its position during feeding, so that all lobes of the mammary gland are emptied .
Mastitis while breastfeeding
Mastitis during breastfeeding occurs in case of inflammation of the milk tract when exposed to bacteria and fungi. In 80% of cases of mastitis, the predisposing factor was the presence of lactostasis, and only in 20% was the infection spread with the blood or lymph flow, the focus of which is inside the body (caries, pyelonephritis, inflammation of the genitourinary system).
The symptoms of mastitis practically coincide with the manifestations of blockage of the milk ducts, but in addition, the inflammatory process caused by an infection of a bacterial or fungal origin contributes to an increase in temperature to critical levels, as well as a manifestation of general intoxication of the body. It should be noted that after pumping, the woman's condition does not improve, as happens with lactostasis.
Whether it is possible to breastfeed with mastitis will depend on the degree of development of this disease, as well as on the methods of treatment. So acute or serous mastitis is an indication for the use of antibiotics, which excludes breastfeeding, however, for the period of their use, milk can be expressed to prolong lactation and feed the child after the end of antibiotics. With purulent or infiltrative mastitis, surgical intervention is indicated to clean the mammary glands from infiltration and pus, as a rule, lactation is not restored after that.
In this article:
The birth of a baby is a wonderful period in a woman's life. But the joy of communicating with the baby can overshadow some troubles. Young mothers note pain that occurs in the mammary glands. Many have chest pains with breastfeeding, both before and after feeding.
By nature and duration, the pain is pulling, piercing, short-term, constant and dull. To diagnose the pathology that caused discomfort, you need to visit a gynecologist. A speedy recovery depends on a timely visit to a specialist.
What is the cause of chest pain
In gynecology, there are several reasons why pain occurs. Some of them are associated with changes in the body after childbirth. Others are more dangerous pathologies that require specific treatment.
Physiological pain during breastfeeding includes:
- intense flow of milk during feeding;
- improper grip on the breast by the child;
- production of oxytocin;
- feeding according to the regimen;
- hyperlactation.
Among the pathologies that cause pain, there are:
- lactostasis;
- mastitis;
- cracked nipples;
- cystic inflammation of the breast;
- candidiasis of the thoracic ducts;
- the presence of malignant tumors in the gland.
Symptoms of physiological pain in the breast
If a woman experiences pain during breastfeeding, the symptoms should be analyzed and the cause identified as soon as possible. In some cases, the intervention of a doctor is not required.
Rush of milk
If the chest hurts during breastfeeding the first weeks after childbirth, while there are no seals and formations, this is a physiological process. During this period, there is an intense flow of milk to the glands. Soreness is associated with the expansion of the ducts of the glands. Mothers notice that the child does not have time to swallow milk, which spurts from the chest. After 1-2 minutes, everything falls into place: the pressure in the ducts drops, the baby sucks calmly, the pain in the chest subsides.
Incorrect latch on the nipple
Many new mothers do not properly attach the baby to the breast. Such actions lead to cracks in the delicate skin of the nipples and squeezing of the ducts near the areola. As a result, there is a pulling pain during breastfeeding. To avoid this trouble, the mother must ensure that the baby captures the breast correctly. The baby's lips should be turned out a little, and the nipple, along with the areola, is captured by the baby's mouth.
Production of oxytocin
In the first weeks after childbirth, the uterus returns to its usual size. Its rapid reduction is facilitated by the production of a hormone - oxytocin. An intense release of the hormone occurs at the time of breastfeeding. In this case, the woman experiences aching pain not only in the chest, but also in the lower abdomen. Unpleasant sensations will pass as soon as the uterus contracts to the proper size. This usually happens 1-1.5 months after birth.
Feeding according to the regimen
Many pediatricians recommend adhering to a strict feeding regimen. As a rule, such actions lead to overflow of the thoracic ducts with milk and stagnation in the glands. The chest becomes stone, painful. Relief comes with feeding or pumping.
Hyperlactation
All processes in the body are controlled by the brain. Since the body does not yet know how much milk is needed to satisfy the baby's hunger, it tries to produce it in excess. Closer to 3 months of a child's life, lactation will become mature and there will be the amount of milk that is necessary to meet the needs of the crumbs. Accordingly, the pain will disappear with time.
Symptoms of pathological pain during breastfeeding
You should be concerned if the mammary gland hurts during breastfeeding, and the following are added to the discomfort:
- increase in body temperature;
- aches, chills;
- redness of the breast;
- bloody discharge from the ducts;
- the presence of cones and seals in the chest;
- an increase in one breast in size in relation to the other.
Such symptoms indicate the presence of pathological foci of infection in the gland or neoplasms.
lactostasis
This problem is most common in breastfeeding women. In simple terms, this is a blockage of the milk ducts, as a result of insufficient emptying of the breast. Occurs in the first month after childbirth. Intensive milk production leads to the fact that the child does not completely empty the breast. Milk stagnates, bacteria multiply in the ducts, which cause inflammation.
The disease progresses with lightning speed. Symptoms come on suddenly:
- a sharp rise in body temperature up to 40 ° C;
- chest pain when touching and feeding;
- redness of the area of the affected gland;
- excretion of breast milk in drops;
- enlargement of the diseased breast in size.
With rational treatment, the symptoms disappear after 3-4 days, and lactation returns to normal.
Mastitis
This is an inflammatory disease of the mammary glands, characterized by the development of an abscess. Milk from the breast is excreted with impurities of pus and blood. With this pathology, surgical excision of the affected gland is indicated.
Mastitis occurs when:
- hypothermia;
- trauma;
- penetration of infection into the gland through microtraumas on the nipple.
Mastitis may be the result of advanced lactostasis.
Cracks in the nipples
The problem occurs in the following cases:
- improper attachment of the child to the breast;
- insufficient or excessive hygiene care;
- improperly fitted bra;
- improper pumping (pressure on the nipple).
As a rule, with cracks, the mammary gland hurts during breastfeeding. The saliva of the child irritates the delicate skin, which is accompanied by pain. Cracks are dangerous because infection penetrates through the affected skin, which leads to serious diseases, such as mastitis and candidiasis of the mammary glands.
Candidiasis
With candidiasis (thrush), a woman experiences itching, burning and pain when feeding. Fungal infection and bacteria (staphylococci) penetrate the skin through cracks. The danger of the disease lies in the fact that a woman transmits candidiasis to a child during feeding. It is more difficult to treat a baby with thrush. A fungal disease affects the baby's oral cavity. The result is breast rejection due to discomfort.
cystic inflammation
Feeding may be accompanied by pain in the presence of benign cysts in the woman's breast. The size of the formation can be from a few millimeters to tens of centimeters. The exact size of the cyst is diagnosed by ultrasound examination of the mammary glands. Education causes pain and a feeling of fullness when feeding. This is due to the fact that there is compression of the blood vessels and milk ducts. A woman can detect a large cyst on her own. Lying on your back with your hand raised up, each section of the gland is examined by palpation. If you find seals or bumps, you should contact your gynecologist.
breast cancer
In the presence of a malignant formation, feeding causes pain, and blood is secreted from the glands. The main thing is not to panic. In the early stages, the disease can be successfully treated.
How to get rid of pain while breastfeeding
For pain of a physiological nature, specific treatment is not required. In due time, the body will return to normal, lactation will be established and the pain will pass. If the pain is caused by the pathology of the mammary glands, you should immediately consult a specialist.
With lactostasis, treatment is indicated aimed at eliminating stagnation of milk and relieving inflammation. It includes:
- taking penicillin antibiotics;
- massage with camphor oil;
- warm shower;
- antipyretic drugs;
- frequent pumping of the affected breast.
Mastitis requires surgery. An abscess is removed along with the affected gland. If there are no purulent impurities in the milk, doctors prescribe conservative treatment, mainly antibiotics.
You can get rid of cracks with ointments containing panthenol and sea buckthorn oil. Regular breast care for a nursing woman is the best remedy for cracks.
Breast cysts require observation. With intensive growth, surgical treatment is indicated.
Candidiasis or thrush is treated with antifungal drugs. As a rule, Kandit ointment or Clotrimazole is prescribed.
If a woman has a malignant tumor, a rational treatment is prescribed by an oncologist.
Preventive actions
To avoid breast problems while breastfeeding, it is important to follow simple rules:
- Follow the rules of hygiene - take a shower 1-2 times a day.
- Inspect nipples daily for microtrauma.
- Feed your baby on demand.
- Adhere to the correct pumping technique.
- Correctly apply the baby to the breast.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Give the child a second breast only after the first is completely empty.
- Regularly palpate the chest for lumps.
- Have an annual check-up with specialists.
Pain during feeding can occur for various reasons. Even the most harmless cracks in the nipples can lead to the development of serious pathologies. It is better to once again consult a specialist and prevent possible diseases.
Breast milk is essential for your baby to develop fully. No adapted formulas can replace the value of mother's milk. Try to feed your child as long as possible, but do not forget about your own health.
Video on how to avoid cracked nipples
Often nursing mothers complain: "When I breastfeed, my chest hurts." There are many reasons for this pain. Some problems can be solved by the mother herself, and with the rest it is necessary to consult a doctor.
What can cause pain while breastfeeding?
Physiological state
When the breast of a nursing woman hurts immediately with the start of feeding, this happens due to the filling of the breast with milk. This is how the hormone oxytocin works. It stimulates the muscle cells in the breast to increase milk production.
Oxytocin is released during feeding the first few days after birth. Later, when you just think about feeding your baby, the hormone is released. You may even find that the milk flows out quietly without feeding.
Different women feel this physiological reflex in different ways. You may feel:
- slight tingling or pinprick or needle-prick sensations;
- strong pressure in the mammary glands with little pain and sometimes discomfort.
Over time, a woman gets used to breastfeeding, and discomfort and pain become less noticeable.
nipple shape
Inverted, flat, or very large nipples can cause pain when breastfeeding. Some women have congenital nipples that make breastfeeding difficult. Nipples with some diseases or with stagnation of milk and swelling of the mammary gland become flat. But you should know that during pregnancy you should prepare your nipples so that the baby can grab them, even when they are retracted. Often flat and inverted nipples become protruding when properly attached to the breast and under the influence of the baby's suckling.
Nipple problems
Many mothers note that the nipples are tender and when the baby is attached, the chest hurts when feeding. All this, with undeveloped nipples, can lead to cracks that will make it impossible to feed the baby normally, and can also cause mastitis. Breastfeeding should be comfortable. In this case, it is necessary to adjust the correct grip of the nipple by the child, choose a comfortable position and develop the nipples even before the baby is born. And complaints like "I'm breastfeeding, nipples hurt" should not be a young mother.
A good grip of the baby's mouth on the nipple and areola is essential. If your baby only sucks on the nipple, it is very important to gently remove it from the baby by placing a clean finger at the corner of the mouth and try again to insert the haloed nipple into the newborn's mouth. Round and tense nipple - this is how it should be before and after feeding.
If the chest hurts, I feed, what should I do? Can I skip feedings because of pain? All these questions should be asked to the obstetrician in the maternity ward. Delaying feeding can lead to more pain and harm to you and your baby.
Try changing position each time you breastfeed. In this case, it is possible to choose the most comfortable position. This will help to regulate the pressure on certain areas of the breast and make feeding comfortable.
Milk production in large quantities
Some mothers who produce a lot of milk complain that their breasts hurt when feeding. At the same time, such mothers feel painful attacks deep in the chest when applying the baby.
This painful condition usually disappears within the first three months of breastfeeding. If the baby latch on correctly every time and suckles well, milk production should level off to meet the baby's needs.
blockage of the ducts
When feeding, sometimes there is a seal in the chest in the form of education. It is not always accompanied by fever or other symptoms. This happens when part of the breast cannot be released from milk due to inflammation or blockage of the milk duct. Subsequently, this can lead to mastitis.
Feed every two hours at this breast. This helps loosen the cork and the milk begins to flow freely.
You can use a light chest massage, starting from the sore spot. First in a circular motion, and then longitudinally towards the nipple. Use a warm compress on the affected area.
Thrush
A thrush or fungal infection can develop in your baby's mouth and spread to the nipples. This occurs when the balance in the mother's body is disturbed due to various infectious diseases, HIV, diabetes, anemia, while taking antibiotics and steroids. The moist, warm, unprotected environment of a baby's mouth while suckling is the perfect place for a candida infection to develop and multiply.
Other signs of a fungal infection are pink, shiny or bright pink blistered nipples, itching and cracking. There may be shooting pain deep in the chest during or after feeding.
Sometimes infection with candida can also damage the milk ducts - the channels through which milk flows to the nipples, and therefore the chest hurts during HB (breastfeeding).
Unlike constant, pain with thrush occurs both when feeding a child, and after. Although some doctors doubt that it is the milk ducts that can be affected. Basically, in this case, only the nipples suffer.
If the chest hurts with breastfeeding, and the child begins to refuse the breast, you need to see a doctor to get advice.
Candidiasis can take several weeks to heal, so follow these tips to avoid spreading the infection:
1.Frequently change disposable pads.
2. Bra should be clean and ironed every day.
3. Wash your hands and your child's hands as often as possible.
4. Pour boiling water daily over all parts of the breast pump that touch milk.
5. Make sure family members do not have thrush or other fungal infections. If they do have symptoms, make sure they get treated.
Stagnation
In the first few days after the baby is born, the breast fills with milk, and there is a significant rush of blood to the breast, which makes the tissues swollen.
This can cause the breasts to increase significantly in size and become hot and sore. Milk-producing cells in this case become more voluminous, and the skin of the mammary glands becomes red and shiny.
This is completely normal and is an adaptation of the body so that the child does not need food and fully satisfies his feeding needs. After the newborn begins to eat regularly by the hour, the mammary glands will regulate and produce the required amount of milk. Discomfort in this case disappears. If it doesn't, contact your midwife or doctor.
lactostasis
If there are complaints like “I am breastfeeding, my chest hurts during feeding and in the intervals between breastfeeding”, then this may be the cause of lactostasis - overflow of the mammary glands. Most often, this condition is observed in the first days after the start of feeding.
This is normal for the breasts, however they get bigger, heavier and start producing more milk. Sometimes this overflow can turn into congestion, then the chest becomes large and painful. You may also experience breast swelling, redness, warmth, throbbing, and flattening of the nipple. This condition is sometimes accompanied by a low-grade fever, and it can be confused with a breast infection. In order to get rid of this condition, a good pumping of the breast after feeding is required.
Mastitis
If the chest hurts and the temperature of the nursing one, and the mammary glands become inflamed and painful, this may mean that lactational mastitis has developed. To keep breastfeeding a child, you must immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment immediately.
When mastitis occurs, the following symptoms occur:
- only one mammary gland is affected;
- the chest is tense;
- hot to the touch;
- there is pus or blood in the milk;
- red stripes or spots are found on the chest;
- symptoms develop within hours.
This can happen if there was contact with a family member who has a cold or an infectious disease.
“My breasts hurt, I feed my baby with a bottle and a pacifier” is the wrong approach to breastfeeding. Mastitis is easy to distinguish from lactostasis: the latter disappears after 24 hours during the massage. With mastitis, the doctor prescribes antibiotics and absorbable agents. But even if you are taking medication, you must continue to breastfeed during treatment. This is the best option for you and your child.
To solve the problem of “I am breastfeeding, my chest hurts”, complete relaxation is required when applying. This can help manage discomfort. In some cases, with severe pain, you can take "Paracetamol" or "Nurofen" to relieve pain.
If the breast is full and the baby is not able to fully latch onto the nipple, then you should try to start feeding on the breast that is more comfortable for the baby, or use a breast pump until the baby is comfortable enough.
Try using warm, moist breast compresses before feeding to help milk flow smoothly into your mouth. After feeding or pumping, cold wet compresses, cooling gels, or cabbage leaves can be applied to the breasts. Kale leaves can reduce swelling, although there is no conclusive evidence for this.
A breast that is too full can also make breastfeeding impossible. If your baby is refusing to breastfeed, choking on too much milk, try this technique:
1. Attach the baby to the breast as usual.
2. When you feel that milk is coming in strongly, carefully remove the nipple from the baby's mouth and express some into a jar.
3. Reattach the baby to the breast when the flow slows down a bit.
4. The more often you put the baby to the breast, the faster the required amount of milk will normalize and be produced, so that both you and the baby can feel more comfortable.
If breast pain in a nursing woman between applications and does not go away within a few days, you should consult a doctor to rule out causes that need treatment, such as thrush or mastitis.
What else can cause chest pain?
After the birth of a child, the chest constantly hurts. The causes of this symptom may have nothing to do with the act of breastfeeding. It could be:
1. An uncomfortable bra. For normal filling of the mammary glands, it is necessary that the side seams are on the side, and not on the chest, and the cups should not squeeze or press the mammary glands.
2. Premenstrual soreness. If menstruation begins during the feeding period, the breasts may be painful. Basically, discomfort appears in the upper outer part of the chest and in the axillary regions. This pain begins with the onset of menstruation and may last for a week or two. Relief occurs after ovulation occurs in the middle of the cycle.
3. The chest hurts in nursing and with fibrocystic mastopathy. It is harmless, and with this disease, you can not refuse to feed the baby. For any discomfort, it is better to visit a doctor to rule out possible causes of pain.
Breastfeeding can be difficult at times, especially in the early days. Often, from women who have given birth to their first child, one can hear complaints: I am breastfeeding, my chest hurts. But it is important to remember: you should not solve the problem on your own.
The maternity hospital will teach you how to breastfeed and help you make breastfeeding a joy. And yet, many women may have certain problems.
After breastfeeding, it is required to express a few drops of milk and gently rub it into the nipples with clean hands. Human milk has healing properties, soothes and softens the nipple and areola. In addition, you can take an air bath and wear a bra with soft cotton pads.
Avoid wearing bras or clothes that are too tight on the breasts and put pressure on the nipples.
Avoid using soaps or ointments that contain astringents and other chemicals that affect the nipples. Do not eat foods that make milk bitter for the baby. Rinsing with warm boiled water is all that is needed to keep the nipples and breasts clean.
When your baby is 6 weeks to 2 months old, you may feel that your breasts are not completely empty after a feed. This is fine. A newborn baby can suckle for only five minutes at first. This means that you and your baby are simply adjusting to the breastfeeding process.
Make sure your baby takes the breast well and suckles actively. Feed frequently and on demand, and let your baby decide when to stop feeding. This will help eliminate complaints such as "chest pain". The causes of this symptom may be different.
Offer both breasts at every feed. The baby will not give up the breast until he is full. A second breast should be offered when the baby is inactive or stops suckling.
A lot of milk
Some mothers drink plenty of fluids to make sure there is enough milk. But with full breasts, feeding can be stressful and uncomfortable for both mother and baby.
One breast should be used for each feeding. Only when the baby is worried or refuses to offer a second.
If the other breast feels unbearably full before you are ready to feed, it is necessary to express some milk for a few minutes to relieve the pressure. You can also use a cold compress or towel to help reduce discomfort and swelling.
Try positions that are more comfortable for feeding. This improves milk flow. You can use feeding in a lying position on your side or sitting with a chair substituted under your leg.
Feed frequently on breasts that are full to free them and prevent lactostasis.
Avoid using a pacifier bottle if possible.
A breastfeeding mother should get enough rest, eat right and drink enough fluids, but do not overdo it!
During the period of breastfeeding a newborn, a mother may experience serious problems that will force her to abandon natural feeding and switch to artificial nutrition. The most common reason for rejection is chest pain.
Therefore, even with a slight chest pain during feeding, you should immediately consult a doctor. But, unfortunately, many women do not pay attention to the appearance of painful sensations at all, because I think if the chest hurts in a nursing mother, this is normal and will pass later. In fact, sudden pain can be quite an alarming symptom.
Pain appears in a nursing mother when the normal process of lactation is disturbed. It is practically impossible to determine the nature of such a violation, since there are many causes that cause such a violation. In no case should you try to independently determine the cause of chest pain. This should only be done by a mammologist who specializes in problems related to breastfeeding.
It should always be remembered that the appearance of chest pain during the period of feeding a child can be the cause of future complications. When diagnosing the causes of chest pain, one should, first of all, take into account the period in which the pain appeared.
If the pain appeared in the first days of feeding the baby, then, most likely, hormonal failure is to blame, which led to the production of too much breast milk. The newborn is not able to suck out all the milk formed in the mother's breast. Due to the milk remaining in the breast, the latter begins to hurt and increase in size, rough and hard to the touch. Sometimes this process can be accompanied by an increase in temperature in the mother. If the cause of this pain is not stopped in time, then the mother can get such a complication as mastitis while breastfeeding.
The doctors agree that most often the pain appears in a nursing mother for no particular reason. But during palpation of the breast, doctors often note a number of seals in the mammary glands, when pressed on which a woman may experience pain of varying strength. This is a symptom of lactostasis, the cause of which can be quite commonplace - an incorrectly selected bra. However, if the course of treatment is not completed in time, then a complication may arise - purulent mastitis.
Breast pain in a nursing mother can occur if there are cracks in the nipples, which, by the way, are the “entrance” to the mammary glands for pathogens. These microorganisms can also cause mastitis.
The chest of a nursing mother often hurts during the period of weaning the baby from the breast, that is, when lactation is forcibly interrupted. Pain indicates that the mother's body is not yet fully ready to stop feeding the baby, and milk continues to be produced in the mammary glands. Since the baby no longer sucks milk, milk stagnation forms in the mammary glands, which causes pain.
To avoid this phenomenon, you should follow the simple rules of weaning your baby from breastfeeding. The optimal time for weaning a child from breastfeeding is the age of eight to nine months. Around this time, lactation will pass all its stages, and the process of involution begins, when the amount of milk produced in the breast begins to decline. This is a natural reason for weaning a baby from breastfeeding.
In the process of weaning the baby from breastfeeding, alternative nutrition should be introduced - powdered milk formula, cow's milk and the like. At the same time, night feeding of the baby should be abandoned.
It should be remembered that the appearance of chest pain while feeding a child is a serious cause for concern. A nursing mother should, without delay, visit a doctor to identify the reason why this pain arose.
In other matters, there are methods that help reduce breast pain in a nursing mother. For example, to put the baby to the breast more often in order to empty it as much as possible from the accumulated breast milk, you should wear a special bra designed for nursing mothers, be sure to follow the rules of hygiene. All this will help, if not to avoid chest pain, then significantly reduce it until you visit a doctor.