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Does it hurt to breastfeed?
Breastfeeding, recommended by the WHO until baby is 6 months old, is not supposed to be painful!
How to breastfeed without pain?
If the first few days are a bit difficult for the new mother, which is quite normal, as soon as breastfeeding is implemented with good practices, it must go without pain and in harmony. If you ever experience pain, it is important to talk to your midwife, or to turn to a lactation counselor, as it could be: crevices, abscess, engorgement of the breasts or mastitis. The position of the baby at the breast and breastfeeding accessories will help you resolve these small discomforts which can be painful, but which must remain occasional so as not to hinder the smooth running of breastfeeding.
Small reminder: the benefits of breastfeeding
– Breast milk is the food best suited to the growth and development of your baby,
– Breast milk is easy to digest and allows you to share your antibodies and omega 3s with your baby,
– Breastfeeding helps the uterus to regain its size and place more quickly, because this causes contractions that are called trenches,
– Breastfeeding promotes the mother-child bond.
Tight breasts and rising milk
The flow of milk takes place between the 3rd and 4th day after childbirth. Colostrum, this thick golden yellow liquid that was until now produced in small quantities to cover baby’s needs, gives way to mature milk. Your breasts suddenly become tight, warm, and they increase in size. Flowing milk can make your breast feel hard, congested, which is not very pleasant.
Breasts full of milk
Don’t panic, your baby’s sucking will help you regulate the flow of milk and this discomfort. To relieve your breast pain during the flow of milk, you can:
– Frequently offer the breast to your little one
— Massage your breasts in circles with a special breastfeeding oil
– Take a hot shower to soften the areola of your breast
– Massage the areola a few minutes before breastfeeding to release a little milk and make it more flexible to facilitate breastfeeding
– Choose a comfortable nursing bra adapted to the size of your breasts.
Good to know : It is common for the milk to flow out of your breasts in a geyser during the rise of milk, in particular under the effect of hot water when you take your shower. You can expressing some milk manually when your breasts are tense. You can also apply lukewarm washcloths to your breasts for relief the rest of the time. And take advantage of your stay in the maternity ward to ask your midwife for all the advice that will help you prevent engorgement.
Painful nipples: how to relieve them?
When you start breastfeeding, it is common for your nipple to be sore during feedings. This is usually due to the appearance of small cracks on the breast, which are called crevices. Sometimes they can even bleed during a feed and occur only on one breast or on both breasts.
The appearance of these cracks can be explained by:
– the fact that your baby is not latching on properly. Warning: you must make sure that his face is in front of yours and that his navel looks at yours. Your toddler should open his mouth wide to fully encompass the nipple. You should also be careful to alternate breastfeeding positions and gently remove your baby from the breast at the end of the feed.
– it may also be because the baby is keeping your breast in the mouth for too long. Prefer shorter and closer feeds in this case, and check that he does not fall asleep at the breast.
– The frenulum of his tongue may be too short and prevent him from sucking properly.
Treat and relieve breastfeeding cracks
– You can spread the end-of-feed milk on your nipple to relieve you, because it contains fatty substances and healing agents.
– You can apply compresses soaked in breast milk every 3 hours without letting them dry or sticking to the nipple.
– Otherwise, apply a light coat of pure lanolin on your crevices after each feeding.
– When the pain is too intense, we can temporarily use breast tips or silicone breast shields to avoid too painful contact
– You can also express your milk a little and have your baby drink from a bottle or pipette until the pain subsides.
Don’t overlook breastfeeding crevices : it is important to treat them because cracks are an entry route for germs. Thanks to the support of your midwife or your lactation consultant, you will be able to avoid letting them settle in and continue your breastfeeding with complete peace of mind.
When I breastfeed, my breasts hurt, is that normal?
No, it is not normal to have sore breasts when breastfeeding. Except, sometimes, at the start of feeding when the breasts are full of milk. And the pain should not be confused with the tingling sensations in the breasts that one feels when the milk comes in.
On the other hand, when breastfeeding becomes chronically painful, and you hesitate to continue it, it is important to seek advice from your midwife or a lactation counselor who will try to find the best solutions to make your breastfeeding longer. serene.
Note: breast pain when breastfeeding can be caused by:
– poor positioning of the baby
– congestion
– hyperlactation which makes your breasts very tight all the time
– mastitis or lymphangitis
– lily of the valley
– the bite of baby’s teeth
– an abscess
How to breastfeed without pain?
Using a nursing pillow, test the positions that you feel best in and that help your baby suck. It should be kept as close as possible to you and your nipple should fit widely into his mouth.
The right breastfeeding positions
– The Madonna’s position : this is the most classic breastfeeding position. your baby’s head rests on your forearm and their body is snuggled up against your stomach.
– The rugby ball : it is the position of the reversed Madonna. Her head is supported by your hand, which can rest on the nursing pillow, and her lower body is slid under your armpit.
– TO astride : installed in front of you, your baby sucks seated and well supported, especially at the back of his neck. This position will help him in case of colic or regurgitation.
— Lying on your side : comfortably installed on your bed, on the side, your baby is placed in front of you on the side.
To discover more positions, do not hesitate to take a look at the La Leche League France website.
Breastfeeding accessories
These accessories can help you treat or prevent breastfeeding pain.
– The nipple tips, also called nipple shields, are pieces of silicone which conform to the shape of the nipple and which are pierced to allow the milk to flow. It is necessary that choose them according to their physiology. They allow you to continue breastfeeding when the pain caused by the crevices is too strong or when you have flat and retracted nipples. We recommend using them for short periods of time to prevent the baby from getting used to them and disrupting breastfeeding.
How to use breast tips : make pearl a little milk and spread it on your nipple, then apply the nipple while driving out the air bubbles. They are washed in soapy water and clean water and can be bought in pharmacies on the recommendations of the midwife.
— Compresses : refrigerating or heating, these are compresses or sachets filled with gel. Their action helps to relieve cracks and accelerate their healing. When heated, they help decongest the breasts during the flow of milk.
— Nursing seashells : your milk has many properties! In particular that of helping the skin to heal. These mother-of-pearl shells are applied to the nipples, in the bra, in order to collect and leave in contact the excess milk with your cracks. Of course, they are washed regularly to limit bacteria.
— The nursing pillow : in the shape of a bolster, the nursing pillow is your best friend! It helps you prevent back pain and cramps, and keep your baby at the correct height while breastfeeding.
— Lanolin cream : As soon as your breasts are sore after feeding, apply a layer of purified lanolin cream to your nipples. It is found in pharmacies, and the tube once opened can be kept for a long time.
— Massage oil : very practical for massaging your painful breasts when the milk comes in. Choose a neutral vegetable oil or a special breastfeeding oilt, and massage the breast in circles, avoiding the areola and the breast tip.
Other breast pain associated with breastfeeding
What is mastitis? This breast infection is also known as lymphangitis. Symptoms of mastitis: You feel feverish and a hot, red area appears on your breast, along with painful tension. This inflammation may be caused by compression due to a canal lactifère stuffy, bra pressure, fatigue, or the wrong position of the baby’s hand while breastfeeding.
Good conduct : If you have these types of symptoms, contact a healthcare professional immediately, who can prescribe a treatment compatible with breastfeeding.
Hard breast and breastfeeding
When the breast is red, sore, and appears congested, it may be engorgement. Be careful if your milk is not expressed, it can happen that this leads to mastitis or an abscess. But in this case, your breast may be so hard that the baby may have difficulty sucking, or you may feel the presence of painful balls in your breast.
Good conduct : Have your baby breastfeed every one to two hours, and take a hot shower, massaging your breasts to open the ducts and release the milk. Finally, know that you can express a few drops of milk using a breast pump to make your breast more flexible just before a feed. And watch your symptoms: a feverish state or fever requires a consultation.
Baby bite on the breast
As soon as the first teeth arrive, the attachment to the breast should change slightly so that you do not have to suffer small bites which can be painful. When the teeth “work” them, infants have the reflex to bite by squeezing the gums, because they need to chew. Even if his tongue normally covers their first lower baby teeth, it can happen. In this case, do not hesitate to take a break during the feeding. You can gently put your pinky finger in the corner of the baby’s mouth to remove your nipple. Over time, he will equate these withdrawals with bites and change his habits.
Symptoms of thrush, yeast infection of the breast
Are your nipples sore? Is your breast red and inflamed? And you discover small whitish deposits in your baby’s mouth that are not traces of milk? It may be thrush, a benign condition linked to candidiasis or yeast infection of the breast. You may also feel like a shock or a burning sensation during breastfeeding.
Good conduct: consult your midwife or lactation counselor. Usually, she will prescribe a dye, gentian violet, which will help treat the yeast infection for you and your baby. If the thrush does not pass after 4 to 5 days, you will be prescribed an antimycotic medication.
Abscess during breastfeeding
As with mastitis, the abscess generates great febrility. Usually, you should feel the presence of a swollen lump in your breast and may find traces of blood or pus in your breast milk. Consult your doctor without delay! Because it may be necessary to drain or aspirate the abscess with a syringe and above all, to follow an antibiotic treatment compatible with breastfeeding.
Good conduct : As long as your breast is painful, give your baby the other breast and express your milk on the sick breast to continue to stimulate lactation. While this condition is rare, it usually occurs when lymphangitis has been improperly treated.