Honey for healing cracked nipples. How to quickly cure cracked nipples while breastfeeding

Cracked nipples during feeding very often occur in the first days after the birth of a child. For a woman, this is not just an unpleasant symptom: sometimes some young mothers are even forced to give up breastfeeding, as the pain becomes simply unbearable. However, not everything is so hopeless: cracked nipples can be both prevented and cured. We will try to tell you how to do this correctly in this material.

ICD 10 code

O 00 – O 99 – Pregnancy, childbirth and after childbirth.
O 85 – O 92 – Complications related to childbirth.
O 92 – Other changes in the mammary gland, as well as lactation disorders related to childbirth.
O 92.1 – Nipple cracks associated with childbirth.

ICD-10 code

O92.1 Nipple fissure associated with childbirth

Causes of cracked nipples during feeding

For what reasons can cracks appear in the nipple area?

Incorrect grasp of the nipple by the baby while sucking milk. Correct attachment means the baby's mouth completely captures the nipple along with the areola. If the breast is positioned incorrectly in relation to the baby, the nipple circles are subject to irritation, which inevitably leads to the appearance of cracks.
Forced completion of the act of feeding. When finishing feeding, you need to wait for the baby to release the nipple. Otherwise, the child will try to hold it, thereby squeezing and damaging the skin of the areola.
Lack of care for the mammary glands, or illiterate care: overdrying of the nipples, excessive rubbing with a towel, frequent washing of the breasts with soap, etc.
Individual skin hypersensitivity.
Lack of vitamins in a nursing mother, which manifests itself in excessive dry skin.
Improper use of a breast pump or hand expression.
Allergic reactions skin on nipples for soap, shower gel, creams, etc.
Constant use breast pads, leakage of breast milk.
Presence of teeth in a child.
Treating nipples with alcohol and alcohol-containing products.

There can indeed be many reasons for the appearance of cracks, and the pathogenesis of the disease is not always the same. In some cases, a woman can adhere to all the rules of feeding and caring for the mammary glands, but cracks still occur. The fact is that the provoking factors for damage to the nipples during feeding can be the individual characteristics of their structure. The shape of the nipples does not always correspond to the norm - they are retracted and flat (the so-called “blind nipple”). The main thing is to pay attention to the problem in a timely manner and begin treatment.

Symptoms of cracked nipples

The appearance of nipples when cracks occur is always characteristic. The first signs appear in the form of small “cuts” on the skin of the nipple, from its central part to the outer edges of the areola.

Cracks appear either in large numbers or from one to three in the field of view; on one of the mammary glands, or on both at the same time (often it depends on which breast the baby is applied to most often). Pain when applied depends on the depth of the cracks - superficial damage causes much less pain. A clear liquid may ooze from the wound, sometimes even mixed with blood.

Any manipulation of the nipple provokes sharp pain, especially the act of feeding the child. Often the pain becomes so unbearable that a woman has to stop breastfeeding and switch her baby to formula.

If this condition is not treated, complications may arise: an infection may occur - microbial, fungal or viral. The consequences of such complications are mastitis, inflammation in the nipples (usually purulent), the formation of erosions, ulcers, etc. In severe cases, surgical treatment may be necessary.

Diagnosis of cracked nipples during feeding

Diagnosis of cracks is quite simple. In the vast majority of cases, the diagnosis is made based on the following data:

general examination of the breast - both a healthy mammary gland and a gland with damaged nipple skin;
a survey about how the process of feeding and breast care occurs, what kind of underwear is used, etc.;
clarification of additional signs and symptoms.

If cracks appear in the nipples, as well as other problems related to the mammary glands, you should seek advice from doctors such as a gynecologist or mammologist. If necessary, specialists will prescribe the necessary tests:

general blood test, leukocyte formula (analysis for the presence of an inflammatory process);
examination of nipple discharge.

Instrumental diagnostics for cracked nipples are rarely carried out, but only for the purpose of prevention or when other concomitant diseases of the mammary glands are suspected. In such situations, the following is prescribed:

breast ultrasound;
mammography;
RTM research (microwave radiothermometry);
electrical impedance tomography.

In difficult cases, they resort to a comprehensive examination of patients, with cytological and histological verification of the diagnosis. Differential diagnosis can be carried out with inflammation of the nipple of the mammary gland, as well as with a cancerous tumor. At the slightest suspicion of the development of a malignant process, the patient is prescribed all possible types of studies in order to avoid errors in treatment.

Treatment of cracked nipples during feeding

Cracked nipples are not a reason to stop breastfeeding and introduce your baby to formula milk. This will certainly lead to a cessation of milk production and the baby’s complete refusal to breastfeed.

If cracked nipples cause only minor discomfort, then you can continue to breastfeed your baby, using preventative silicone or latex pads. Such devices can be purchased at pharmacies - they are produced by almost all well-known companies specializing in the production of breast pumps and other accessories for young mothers. These are brands such as Avent, Medela, Chicco, Konpol, etc. The pad is selected individually, taking into account the size of the breast and the size of the nipple.

In the presence of large quantity deep bleeding cracks, the lining will most likely not help. In this case, the milk must be strained by hand and fed to the baby, while simultaneously healing the damaged skin on the nipples.

If measures were not taken on time and mastitis occurs, then it is necessary to take into account that the bacteria can pass to the child. In this case, stop breastfeeding.

wash nipples with soapy water and other alkaline solutions;
apply medications with antibiotics to the nipples, as well as take antibiotics orally;
treat the breast with alcohol solutions, including iodine or brilliant green;
use breast pads for a long time, wear tight bras.

Cracks heal best if the breasts are open and there is air access to the damaged nipples. Therefore, it is necessary to temporarily abandon closed underwear, and use breast pads as little as possible, or not use them at all.

The most popular ointments and creams for cracked nipples when breastfeeding:

Bepanten (cream, ointment) 5% is applied once or several times a day;
Dexpanthenol - used under a bandage or compress;
Panthenol - applied several times a day, after feeding;
Korneregel - used after feeding, and washed off before feeding the baby.

Preparations containing zinc oxide – an antiseptic substance with a drying and tanning effect:

Zinc ointment - applied three times a day, removed before feeding;
Zinc paste – used by analogy with zinc ointment;
Tsindol - use 4-6 times a day on dry skin. Requires rinsing;
Desitin - lubricate the nipples three times a day, rinsing off before feeding;
Sudocrem - used several times a day, removing it before applying the baby.

External products containing lanolin, an animal lipid that protects the skin:

Purelan - lubricate nipples as needed;
Sanosan – can be used after each feeding;
Lanolin - used several times a day;
MultiMom - lubricate the nipples until complete recovery;
Karelan - used 3 times a day;
Lanovit with sea buckthorn oil– a safe drug, can be used without restrictions.

Medicines containing retinol (Vit. A), which effectively restores damaged skin:

We see - apply twice a day;
Retinoic ointment - used during the day;
Radevit - applied twice a day, under a bandage;
Retinol acetate - lubricate the skin as needed.

Herbal and mineral ointments:

Vulnuzan - lubricate the nipples with a thick layer several times a day;
“9 months” (Mustela) – use 2 times a day until complete cure.

Anti-inflammatory drugs:

Solcoseryl - lubricate the affected juices three times a day;
Actovegin - applied under a compress three times a day.

Other remedies for cracked nipples when breastfeeding:

Sea buckthorn oil - natural remedy, harmless and effective. Softens the skin and promotes rapid healing. Does not require rinsing.
Rosehip oil – relieves signs of inflammation (due to its vitamin C content). Apply immediately after feeding. There is no need to rinse off.
Vitamin E oil solution – restores and heals the nipple area.
Chlorophyllipt (oil-based) is an excellent antiseptic that eliminates the symptoms of the inflammatory process. Must be washed off before feeding.
Calendula ointment - tightens cracks, destroys bacteria. It should be washed off before feeding.

Traditional treatment for cracked nipples

Treatment with herbs and other folk remedies often has a good effect. Such recipes are passed down from generation to generation, from one mother to another. When it is not possible to go to the pharmacy, the following remedies can come to the rescue:

Lubricate nipples castor oil. After each application, keep your chest open for at least 10 minutes.
Apply melted butter to the nipple area for 2-3 days.
Lubricate the area around the nipple with brilliant green, then apply a layer of Vaseline several times over 3 days.
Apply a compress of finely grated apple 2-3 times a day. You can make a mixture of grated apple and butter, or carrot juice.
Apply a paste of boiled flax seeds to your chest.
Lubricate the nipples with fresh aloe or colanchoe juice. Before feeding, the juice should be washed off thoroughly.
Apply fresh natural honey to the nipple area, which should be washed off after half an hour with warm water.
Apply a cabbage leaf, slightly beaten with a hammer, to the damaged skin (to release the juice). This remedy is recommended for use at night.

Homeopathy for cracked nipples

Many patients trust such a popular treatment method as homeopathy. There are also certain homeopathic medicines for treating cracked nipples, both for oral and external use.

Homeopathic remedies for internal use:

Graphites 3C and Arnica 3C – 5 granules sublingually, 20 minutes before feeding;
Acidum Nitricum 6C – for severe pain;
Ratania 3C – for itchy cracks;
Croton tiglium 3C – for severe girdling pain;
Sulfur – for deep skin lesions, with bleeding;
Petroleum – for cracks with crusts and plaque.

Local homeopathic remedies:

Arnica - 5 drops diluted in 200 ml of drinking water and moistened nipples after each feeding;
Chamomile (Chamomilla) – used in a similar way to Arnica.

In advanced cases, washing the nipples with Borax tincture can help: use 5 drops per 200 ml of water.

Prevention of cracked nipples during feeding

Prevention of cracks should primarily include correct application baby during feeding, in conjunction with compliance with the rules of hygiene and care of the mammary glands.

Even while carrying a child, it is necessary to prepare the breasts for feeding:

regularly use a contrast shower, wash your breasts alternately with hot and cool water;
Gently massage the area around the nipple;
apply nourishing and moisturizing cream to the mammary glands;
use regular soap to wash your breasts less often (no more than once a week);
Avoid wearing tight and dense underwear, as well as bras made of synthetic fabric.

Do not wash your breasts frequently with soap or leave your nipples wet;
It is undesirable to use alcohol lotions and solutions for treating the breasts, since alcohol dries the skin and washes away the natural protective barrier on the nipples;
You cannot forcibly wean your baby from the breast: you must wait until he releases the nipple on his own;
It is important to ventilate the mammary glands as often as possible.

The question arises: how to properly attach a baby for feeding so that cracks do not form on the nipples?

Before feeding the baby, he needs to turn his body halfway towards the mother. It is wrong if only the baby's head is turned towards the chest. The best position for feeding is for the mother to lie on her side, with the baby's tummy adjacent to the mother's belly.
It is advisable that the baby's head is located on the inside of the mother's elbow: this makes it easier for him to move while sucking.
You should not force the nipple into the baby's mouth: he will grab the breast on his own.
It is correct if the child grasps not only the nipple, but also the areola (the area around the nipple). In this case, the baby's nose should be pressed against the mammary gland.

Nature has made sure that a newborn baby receives the necessary nutritional elements from mother’s milk for its growth and development. But sometimes nursing mothers are forced to wean their baby from the breast, the reason being cracked nipples, which occur in 10% of women. Why does this pathology appear, how can it be detected in a timely manner? Should I stop breastfeeding? What is forbidden to do, as well as how to treat cracks, how to carry out prevention? It is advisable to understand all these nuances so as not to make fatal mistakes.

Reasons for appearance

Cracked nipples never appear without a reason; they are always preceded by negative circumstances. Usually there is more than one reason; they affect the body simultaneously, significantly worsening the condition of the nipples.

The most common root causes of cracked nipples.

The baby does not fully latch onto the breast. The sucking reflex is instinctive, it is observed in the fetus developing in the womb of the mother. A stressed newborn may not understand how to act. The mother’s task is to prompt and help the baby. Lack of experience leads to the fact that the mother does not provide help to the baby. As a result, the baby simply holds the nipple in his mouth without the areola, but does not suck. There are other disturbances in the sucking process. As a result, damage appears on the nipples.
The mother abruptly takes the breast from the child. Sometimes mothers notice that the child has fallen asleep with the breast in his mouth. But when trying to pick up the nipple, the baby wakes up and instinctively clenches his jaw. This causes cracks to appear, so doctors recommend not removing the nipple until the baby releases it. If the mother is in a hurry, then you can put a clean finger in the baby’s mouth, then his grip will weaken.
Milk is not expressed correctly. If you feed your newborn on demand, there is no need to pump. Sometimes a woman has to be away from her baby on business, or pumping is recommended by a doctor if there is excessive lactation. If, when pumping, a woman does not put pressure on the areolas, as expected, but on the nipples, cracks appear. The same thing happens when using a breast pump with more power than necessary.
Incorrectly performed breast care. When feeding, the glands need to be washed daily. If washing occurs too often, a woman uses all kinds of detergents or other products, then cracks appear on the nipples. The pores produce a protective lubricant that softens the skin better than any cream. At the same time, the protective lubricant acts as a natural antiseptic. When such lubricant is removed, the breasts are deprived of excellent natural protection.
Use of bottles and pacifiers. These artificial objects create confusion in a child's life. The baby begins to suck on the mother's breast like an artificial nipple, which causes damage to the nipples.
Wearing a bra or other underwear made of synthetic materials irritating to the skin.
Thrush (candidiasis) in the mouth of a newborn.
Nipple skin allergy to washing or cosmetic products.
Milk is leaking.

There are many root causes for the formation of cracked nipples; it is better to understand them together with a doctor. After identifying the reasons, it is easier to correct the situation, cure the breast, and normalize feeding.

How to identify a cracked nipple?

Typically, nursing mothers can easily diagnose cracks in the nipples that extend from the middle to one or more sides. Cracks are divided into deep or small, there are many or few of them. They appear on one or two glands at a time.

Sometimes ichor or bloody issues. Sometimes a woman may not see a violation of the integrity of the skin, but she has pain when touching the nipple. With a bacterial or fungal infection, the presence of cracks provokes the formation of inflammation, ulcers, and mastitis.

Should I stop breastfeeding?

Cracked nipples lead to a lot of problems, but this should not be a reason to stop breastfeeding. Go to artificial feeding dangerous - lactation may stop, or the baby will refuse the breast. A logical question: what to do if it is undesirable to stop breastfeeding naturally?

If the cracks are tiny, then continue to feed the baby in previous regime taking care to protect the nipple. To do this, buy a special silicone or latex pad. When choosing a pad, you need to focus on the size of your nipples.
If there are deep cracks, do not suffer, do not endure the pain, express milk. At the same time, treat your nipples using the method recommended by your doctor. Do not give milk from a bottle, the baby will get used to it and stop breastfeeding.
If not just cracks appear, but mastitis or inflammatory diseases, then the doctor will recommend stopping breastfeeding for a while.

What not to do if your nipples are cracked?

The appearance of cracks sometimes happens unexpectedly for a young mother; she does not know how to act and listens to the advice of older women and more experienced friends. Life experience - great power, many tips are really valuable, but sometimes they turn out to be wrong or even harmful.

We present to your attention the most frequently made mistakes.

Wash affected breasts with soap. Any soap contains alkali, which can damage the skin. Alkali reduces the amount of natural fatty lubrication and turns cracks into large bleeding wounds.
Use oral antibiotics or antibacterial drugs externally without a doctor's prescription. The product will definitely enter the woman’s bloodstream, and then into breast milk. As a result, it turns out that the child uses potent drugs along with milk. Antibiotics destroy beneficial bacteria that protect the body from harmful microorganisms.
Smear the breasts with brilliant green, iodine or similar liquids. These products dry out the skin and increase abrasions, causing pain.
Applying alcohol solutions to the nipples will corrode the wound, dry out the skin and cause burns if used for a long time.
Keep your nipples too wet. If milk leaks, then the napkins in the bra are changed more often so as not to create humidity that is optimal for the development of infections. Very often, normalizing the condition of the skin on the nipple is as simple as exposing the breast for as long as possible.

How to treat cracked nipples

The skin on the chest is sensitive, there is no point in enduring pain. Many highly effective products have been developed: ointments, oils, creams. Each of the remedies has its own indications and contraindications, which must be strictly adhered to in order not to cause harm.

Creams and ointments for cracked nipples

You should use local remedies after you finish breastfeeding. By the time it is time to feed the baby, the cream will be absorbed. Before the next feeding, the breasts should be gently washed with water at room temperature. A huge number of ointments and creams have been developed; for ease of reference, it is convenient to divide them into several categories.

Products with the active ingredient dexpanthenol (vitamin B). One of the most famous ointments of this group is Bepanten. The ointment is convenient because it does not require removal before feeding. The composition includes only natural ingredients: wax, aromatic oils, vitamins, distilled water. The ointment has no taste or smell.
Products with zinc are excellent antiseptics; they dry out excessively moist skin and prevent the development of infections. Apply a thin layer; the ointment must be washed off before feeding the baby.
Products containing lanolin are made from sheep wool. Lanolin perfectly nourishes the skin. Apply a thin layer after feeding the baby, but rubbing the product is prohibited; a protective film should form.
Products with retinol (vitamin A) - promote rapid healing, regenerate tissue, soften rough skin. It is advisable to apply several times a day, and be sure to rinse off before feeding.
Products with a regeneration effect are prescribed only for severe damage to the nipple. They enhance skin metabolism and promote regeneration. Before putting the baby to the breast, be sure to wash off the ointment.
Products with plant extracts - increase the resistance of the nipple skin to damage and heal existing wounds.

No matter how wonderful the ointment is, you cannot prescribe it yourself. The use of any cream to treat nipples is a serious matter; the choice of product requires medical qualifications.

Oils

Oils are even safer for a child to treat cracked nipples. The most commonly used are sea buckthorn and rosehip oil. They relieve signs of inflammation and help rapid healing. Conveniently, oils do not have to be washed off (unlike ointments). Oils are not dangerous, even if they enter the child’s body.

Oils act rather slowly, but with due patience they help a lot. A nursing mother can also take the oil orally; it is a source of beneficial vitamins and minerals, allowing the body to recover. Similarly, more exotic and expensive olive and cedar oils are used, which are a storehouse of valuable nutrients.

How long does it take for cracked nipples to heal?

Each woman’s body is individual, so the healing process occurs differently. If the cracks in the nipples are small, and the correct treatment is chosen, then it will take one or two days for the wounds to heal. To speed up recovery, you need to spend more time without a bra, and even better, walk as long as possible with your chest bare.

Prevention of cracked nipples

Proper feeding of a child is of fundamental importance for his health. To avoid interruptions in natural feeding, you need to constantly maintain healthy nipples. It is much easier to prevent nipple diseases than to treat them. Therefore, she recommends that all nursing mothers remember simple preventive rules to prevent cracking of the skin on the areolas and nipples.

Do not wean your baby suddenly.
Wash your breasts no more than a couple times a day. When washing, do not use soap, shampoo or any other cosmetic product.
After washing your bust, lubricate your skin with lanolin cream.
After feeding your baby, lubricate the nipple with your own milk.
Ventilate the mammary glands more often.
Change your pads promptly if milk leaks heavily from your nipples.

In terms of prevention, it is extremely important to feed the baby correctly; breastfeeding technique plays a special role.

Take the correct position for feeding. The child lies on his side, half-turned relative to the mother. The baby's belly touches the mother's tummy.
The baby's head lies on the crook of the mother's elbow so that the baby has the opportunity to move it freely.
Do not rush to put the nipple in the baby's mouth; he must do this himself.
Check to see if your baby is latching onto the nipple correctly. His mouth should contain not only the nipple, but also most of the areola. The nose and chin are pressed to the mother’s chest.

It is possible to cure cracked nipples, but prevention methods are much simpler and do not require much effort. Hygiene and proper feeding techniques are all that is required from a woman so that nipple problems do not bother her. If cracks in the nipples have already formed, you should consult a doctor. He will prescribe the drug most suitable for a particular woman. Positive emotions between mother and baby are a prerequisite for the health of both. Breastfeeding is a natural process, nature has “thought it out” to the smallest detail, even animals solve the problem of feeding their young without any effort.

Cracks in the nipples occur in 10% of breastfeeding women, this causes pain and discomfort, and sometimes mastitis develops. It is useful for every mother of a baby to know the reasons for problems on the nipples and what hygiene requirements should be observed. Women do not need to remember the names of ointments; it will be much better if a qualified doctor prescribes the drugs.

After the birth of a child, almost all women can feed him with their milk, because lactation is a physiological process provided by nature. However, for full breastfeeding it is necessary to develop the right skill. Failure to follow the rules when feeding can lead to such an unpleasant condition as cracked nipples.

Why do cracks occur?

Reasons why this condition may develop:

insufficient preparation of a woman for breastfeeding during pregnancy, lack of knowledge;
incorrect breastfeeding technique;
improper breast care;
hypovitaminosis and weakening of the body in a nursing mother.

You can suspect the appearance of sores on the nipples if there is constant pain while feeding the baby. The more pronounced the cracks in the nipples, the more pain. Often, young mothers are forced to temporarily stop breastfeeding, which may cast doubt on its continuation.

How to avoid painful cracked nipples? To do this, you need to know about the reasons that cause this condition and prevent their occurrence:

Even during pregnancy, prepare for breastfeeding, try to get as much reliable information as possible;
observe the technique of putting the baby to the breast;
follow the rules of hygienic care of the mammary glands;
eat well.

Preparation during pregnancy

What should a pregnant woman do to prevent problems with her mammary glands in the future? First of all, get more information on child care and breastfeeding. The more he knows future mom, the more correctly she will feed the baby, and the less likely she is to develop cracked nipples and other more serious breast diseases.

If a woman has flat nipples, there is no need to worry. You just need to be prepared for the fact that at first it will be uncomfortable for the baby to latch onto the breast, and consider different feeding positions in advance. Sometimes, with flat nipples, right before feeding, they are pulled out with your fingers or with a breast pump; this also needs to be taken care of in advance.

It is also worth purchasing a nursing bra, soft, with wide straps, that does not compress the breasts, even before giving birth. Now there are a lot of different models with detachable cups made of cotton fabric. When purchasing such a bra, it is better to choose a size slightly larger than necessary, because the glands further increase during lactation.

What not to do:

Rub, lubricate, “dissolve”, knead the breasts or act on them physically in some other way. Firstly, this can lead to a woman developing cracks in her nipples during pregnancy due to trauma to the delicate skin. Secondly, exposure to the breast can cause the release of oxytocin, a hormone that increases the tone of the uterus, which is dangerous especially in the last weeks of pregnancy.
Wash the nipple and areola area with soap. This destroys lipid substances that are naturally released from the skin glands around the nipples and protect the skin from damage.
Lubricate the area around the nipple with any creams. It is believed that natural lubrication is quite enough to prepare the breasts for feeding.

Feeding rules

Breastfeeding your baby for too long can lead to irritation and weeping small cracks at the base of the nipples. Therefore, it is recommended to change the position of the baby at the breast during breastfeeding. Then he will stimulate different areas of the areola with his gums, which will prevent irritation. In addition, it is better to feed more often, but not longer than 15 minutes each time. It is necessary to breastfeed your baby correctly, ensuring full coverage of the areola.

Prevention of cracked nipples also includes the following measures:

avoid constantly keeping the breast in the baby’s mouth if he is not eating; at the end of feeding, you need to remove the nipple from the baby’s mouth;
If the baby grabs the nipple tightly after feeding, you can lightly pinch the nose and the baby will immediately push out the breast; removing the nipple “forcibly” will lead to injury;
After feeding, it is recommended to express the milk remaining in the gland without excessive pressure, with gentle movements, without touching the nipple, and leave the breast open to dry for several minutes;
do not wash your breasts immediately before or after feeding;
take a hygienic shower and change your linen daily;
if necessary, use only hygroscopic pads in the bra cups, do not allow them to be constantly wet.

How to feed with cracked nipples?

Before feeding, you can apply ice wrapped in a clean cotton napkin to the nipple, this will reduce pain. You can use breast pads for a while. Very strong cracks in the nipples prevent breastfeeding. Until the skin is restored, you need to give the baby expressed milk without any heat treatment.

If cracks do appear under the nipple or on its surface, they become a “gateway” for infection and can lead to. Therefore, this condition must be treated immediately.

How long does it take for cracked nipples to heal?

When changing the HW technique and application medicines minor injuries heal quickly, usually within 24 hours. Of course, if the process is severe, it will take longer for the skin to recover.

Breast care

Although washing the breasts immediately before and after feeding is not currently recommended, the mammary glands still need to be kept clean by regularly washing the skin of the gland itself, the fold under it, armpit and gently blotting (without drying) it with a soft towel.

Alcohol-containing solutions, such as brilliant green, should not be used for antiseptic treatment of healthy skin. It greatly dries out the skin, destroys the protective fat layer, and contributes to further tissue damage.

Before starting feeding, you need to express the first drops to remove microbes that may enter the milk ducts.

After the baby has eaten, you can lubricate the breasts with lanolin-based emollients.

In case of spontaneous milk release between feedings, place soft pads in the bra cups and change them regularly, avoiding increased humidity.

Proper nutrition

The appearance of cracks in the nipples is also caused by difficult tissue regeneration. Normally, the epithelium covering the mammary gland is restored quickly. However, if there is a lack of nutrients, healing may be delayed.

To prevent cracks and fight them, a woman should receive vitamins A, E, and animal proteins with food. Dairy products, including butter, and sea fish are healthy. You need to drink more liquid - clean water or add dill seed infusion to it. This will not only be beneficial for the mother, but will also improve the intestinal condition of her baby.

Treatment of cracked nipples

All of the above measures help if the skin is not yet damaged. What to do if cracks appear in the nipples and the breastfeeding process becomes painful? It is advisable to consult with a pediatrician or breastfeeding specialist, who is often part of the antenatal clinic staff, and call the appropriate hotline.

How to treat cracked nipples while breastfeeding?

Pharmaceutical drugs and home remedies are used. The choice is up to the woman and her doctor.

The most popular medications that help a woman in this situation:

Bepanten or other cream for cracked nipples with dexpanthenol;
Solcoseryl;
Levomekol.

Bepanten

Bepanten is available in the form of a cream and ointment and is a drug that promotes normal scarring. Use it externally, applying a thin layer to the skin after each time the baby is applied to the breast and gently rubbing into the surface. After this, the mammary gland is not washed. Before the next feeding, most of the medicine will be absorbed into the skin, and the remaining substance will not harm the baby.

The drug almost never causes side effects. In extremely rare cases, individual intolerance with the development of an allergic reaction and skin irritation is possible. It can be used both for breastfeeding, and if necessary during pregnancy. The only contraindication is individual intolerance.

Such drugs as D-Panthenol, Dexpanthenol, Panthenol-Teva, Pantoderm have a similar composition, but often at a lower price.

Solcoseryl

How to quickly cure cracked nipples if they become deep, bleed and do not respond to treatment with Bepanten? In this case, ointment for cracked nipples is used - Solcoseryl. The medicine belongs to drugs that improve nutrition and tissue restoration; it is obtained from the blood of calves. To treat cracked nipples, it is better to use not a gel, but Solcoseryl ointment, because the gel has a better effect on ulcers and weeping skin lesions. This product is applied to the skin of the areola and nipple 1-2 times a day. Breastfeeding while using Solcoseryl is possible only if the breast is thoroughly cleansed of drug residues before feeding.

The ointment can cause an allergic reaction in the form of skin inflammation - dermatitis or urticaria. Its use may also be accompanied by a burning sensation; in these cases, treatment with Solcoseryl must be stopped.

Levomekol

How to get rid of cracked nipples accompanied by infection and inflammation? In this case, you should definitely see a doctor. One of the drugs prescribed in this case is Levomekol. This is a combination product containing an antimicrobial component (chloramphenicol, in other words, chloramphenicol) and a substance that accelerates healing (methyluracil). The ointment is applied to a sterile gauze pad and applied to the damaged nipple 1-2 times a day. Breastfeeding should be stopped during treatment or the breasts should be thoroughly cleaned before feeding. The ointment is well tolerated, only occasionally causing irritation.

Folk remedies

One of the good home remedies for preventing and treating cracked nipples is sea buckthorn oil. It should be applied to the nipples immediately after feeding. Sea buckthorn oil helps quite slowly but surely, healing small cracks and preventing the appearance of new ones. There is no need to wash it off. In addition, a woman can use this oil internally - it is an excellent source of fat-soluble vitamins that accelerate tissue regeneration. Olive and cedar oils can be used similarly.

Sea buckthorn oil is included in pharmaceutical drug"Olazol." This is an aerosol for external use, which also contains an anesthetic (benzocaine), an antiseptic (boric acid) and an antibiotic (chloramphenicol). Before use, the container is shaken, the resulting foam is applied to the areola area and from a distance of up to 5 cm. It can be used up to 4 times a day. It is advisable to stop breastfeeding or thoroughly rinse and dry the breast before feeding so that medicinal substances do not enter the baby's body.

Another simple but quite effective folk remedy is to put fresh cabbage leaves in the bra cups. They cool the skin and have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. One cabbage leaf can be worn throughout the day, drying the breast after each feeding.

You can apply gauze pads soaked in one of the following products to your nipples:

tincture of calendula;
aloe juice;
oil solution of chlorophyllipt;
infusion of birch leaves.

Additionally, products based on zinc oxide (Desitin, Sudocrem, Tsindol, zinc ointment), drying and disinfecting cracks, creams based on lanolin, retinol, natural oils, plant extracts. Regarding their use, you should consult your doctor.

Very often during the process of breastfeeding, especially in the first few weeks, mothers are faced with a rather unpleasant and painful problem - cracked nipples. Usually the first signs of such trouble are pain when feeding the baby, which gradually begins to intensify. After several feedings, small tears and damage to the skin or deep bleeding cracks appear on the nipple. It even happens that after feeding the baby spits up with traces of blood. Cracks pose a danger to women because they serve as favorable conditions for the introduction and development of infection in the breast.

Causes of cracks.
Firstly, it should be noted that some discomfort and painful sensations When breastfeeding, literally all young mothers experience this in the first few days. This is due to the increased load on the skin of the nipples, which did not experience such intense impact before the birth of the child. But such sensations are at their peak only in the first few feedings, after which they decrease. In addition, the skin of the nipples very quickly gets used to this effect, as if hardening, as a result, nursing mothers cease to feel any discomfort at all. But cracks appear for completely different reasons, there are quite a lot of them, but the main ones are still improper attachment of the child to the breast and insufficient adherence to the rules of personal hygiene, in particular insufficient care of the skin of the nipples.

It is very simple to determine that your baby is not breastfeeding correctly. Here are some signs of improper sucking:

the baby grasps only the nipple, the areola remains outside the baby’s mouth;
mother experiences pain throughout feeding;
while sucking, the baby smacks and clicks;
during the sucking process, the child turns his lips inward;
after feeding, the mother does not feel a feeling of lightness in the breast and release of milk;
With each sucking movement, the breast slides back and forth in the baby's mouth.

If the baby sucks the breast incorrectly, the skin on the nipples rubs repeatedly, and the nipple becomes deformed, resulting in injuries. Forcibly removing the breast from a child when he has not yet opened his mouth can also contribute to damage to the skin of the nipples. The use of products in breast care that dry the skin (alcohol, brilliant green, soap) and help reduce its elasticity as a result of an imbalance of water-fat balance can also lead to the appearance of cracks.

Another cause of nipple skin injuries can be called hypovitaminosis, when the mother’s body receives an insufficient amount of vitamins. Vitamins A, B, D, E, C are important for skin elasticity and excellent condition.

Prevention of cracked nipples.
Prevention measures should be carried out before the birth of the child during pregnancy, and also continue after childbirth. Proper care and hardening the skin of the breasts and nipples prepares them for breastfeeding and prevents cracks in the nipples after childbirth. During the period of bearing a baby, the mammary glands significantly increase in size, so expectant mothers are recommended to wear cotton bras that are ideal in size, which will prevent chafing of the skin. On latest dates During pregnancy and in the first weeks of breastfeeding, women need to carry out so-called “air baths” for the breasts, which means completely exposing them for ten to fifteen minutes several times a day. In addition, regularly pouring cool water over your breasts helps to harden them and significantly reduce the risk of cracked nipples and mastitis. After taking a shower, it is recommended to massage the skin around the nipples with a soft terry towel for about a minute every day.

During pregnancy, as well as after childbirth, it is recommended to insert special thin absorbent bras into the nipple area. sanitary napkin, which can be bought at the pharmacy, or use cosmetic pads made of cotton wool, which, when wet due to milk secretion, should be replaced with dry ones. It is the increased humidity and subsequent friction of the skin against the underwear that increases the risk of developing nipple cracks and pathogens.

The main thing in the prevention of cracks is the correct attachment of the baby to the breast. Moms need to watch out correct position the baby’s mouth during feeding, that is, the baby should completely grasp the areola and nipple with his mouth, his chin should touch the breast, and upper lip almost completely hide the areola. If the baby sucks incorrectly, be sure to take the breast away from him and patiently reattach it. You should find out in advance how to properly breastfeed your baby, consult with a nurse at the maternity hospital, or invite a specialist home. If the baby does not let go of the nipple, then you should not pull it out or drag it by force. Wait until the baby gets enough and pushes the breast out on its own. If you urgently need to interrupt feeding, just insert your little finger into the corner of the baby’s mouth or lightly pinch his nose, he will release the breast on his own. Important condition– hands must be washed, this should be remembered constantly.

To maintain hygiene during lactation, it is enough to wash your breasts once a day. boiled water without soap, while drying it with blotting movements with a soft towel, and change linen daily. Under no circumstances should you wipe your breasts roughly; such actions will lead to cracks. After feeding and expressing the remaining milk, be sure to dry your breasts in the open air for five to ten minutes, then lubricate the skin in the nipple area with lanolin oil. By the way, this oil is included in some pharmaceuticals, in particular Purealan, Lanoderm. This cream does not need to be washed off before feeding. This remedy can only be used as a preventive measure for cracks; other drugs are recommended for treatment. To prevent cracked nipples after feeding, the skin can be lubricated with Bepanten or an oil solution of vitamin A. However, it has one significant drawback: before feeding the baby, the product will have to be washed off, as a result of which the breasts will be exposed to the unwanted effects of soap. In this case, regular soap can be replaced with liquid soap with neutral pH. To soften the skin before feeding, you should never use Vaseline or sunflower oil, as they can not only cause allergies in the child, but also cause digestive upset. It is better to use these products after, then before the next feeding the product will be partially absorbed into the skin and partially washed off with water.

In general, products that have to be washed off before feeding are recommended less and less by experts as a preventive measure for cracks, since their smell can scare away the baby and cause the mother to give up the breast prematurely.

But the best way to prevent nipple skin damage is to use an effective and natural medicine - your own milk. It is perfectly absorbed by the skin, maintains an optimal level of moisture and nutrients, and also forms a protective film on the surface of the skin. In addition, it contains vitamins that have a healing effect, as well as a high level of immunoglobulins, which can fight infection in the resulting cracks in the skin. After feeding your baby, squeeze out a few drops of milk and lubricate the nipple and surrounding skin, then allow the breast to air dry. This procedure can be carried out after each feeding.

To avoid cracks, it is important to change the position of the baby at the breast during breastfeeding so that pressure is applied to different areas of the nipple.

Very often you can hear from mothers that the best prevention of damage to the skin of the nipples is to limit the duration of feedings to ten to fifteen minutes. However, in reality, it is the very hungry baby who begins to suckle the breast so greedily that the skin of the nipples is injured. Therefore, in this case, it is still better to give preference to feeding on demand.

If cracks do appear on the nipple, they must be treated immediately.

Healing and treatment of cracked nipples.
If, despite all preventive measures, cracks still appear, it is necessary to make every effort to heal them as quickly as possible. This is necessary because this increases the woman’s risk of developing mastitis, and the baby can take on breast milk infection from a break in the skin.

To relieve pain during breastfeeding, you can use special silicone pads. They relieve the pain a little by taking on the load that falls on the skin of the nipple when the baby is incorrectly applied to the breast. However, if the baby continues to suckle incorrectly, this will lead to the fact that he will not be able to suck out enough milk, the necessary stimulation for milk production will not occur, as a result of which the mother, against the background of insufficient emptying of the breast, will significantly increase the tendency to lactostasis, and In the future, the amount of milk produced will decrease. Only in exceptional cases Women manage to maintain breastfeeding for a long time using breastfeeding.

If the healing of the crack does not take place within two to seven days, you should stop putting the baby to the sore breast for at least a couple of days. You can feed your baby with a healthy breast by spoon-feeding milk expressed from the sore breast. After improvement, breastfeeding can be resumed.

To quickly heal the crack, it is recommended to lubricate the nipples with rosehip oil, sea buckthorn oil, calendula ointment, and use Olazol spray with sea buckthorn oil. Arnica and Traumeel ointments produced by the German company Heel, as well as Korneregel gel, have a good healing effect. Apply after each breastfeeding.

It should be noted that if all your efforts aimed at healing the damaged skin of the nipples do not improve the situation within a few days, you should consult a doctor. The doctor will prescribe vitamins that increase skin elasticity and have a wound-healing effect (usually B vitamins), as well as drugs to soften the skin of the breast.

Only a comprehensive solution to the problem will help you maintain breastfeeding for as long as possible and not suffer from pain. I would like to wish all mothers patience, because over time all these minor troubles will be left behind, and you will enjoy the joy of motherhood.