What To Do When Breastfeeding Hurts?

Many women decide to breastfeed thanks to the many benefits it brings for both mother and child. However, it is not uncommon to hear mothers say that breastfeeding hurts.

Although it is common to feel discomfort or sensitivity when the baby first starts sucking, it is not normal if you feel great pain.

But if you are currently going through that stage and you feel pain in your breasts, we encourage you to continue reading.

Here we will explain several reasons why many mothers say that breastfeeding hurts and what you can do about it.

Factors that cause breastfeeding to hurt

There are several reasons why some mothers say that breastfeeding hurts. Among these are:

• The baby does not have a good grip on the nipple. When the newborn does not hold the nipple well or does not suck properly, it often causes the nipple to be damaged. In addition, cracks can occur that are painful and can cause bleeding.

• Short tongue band. Sometimes the child has a short tongue band, also called ankyloglossia. This can cause the baby not to grip the nipple properly and therefore not get the amount of milk he needs.

• Mastitis. This is usually the result of an infection that has entered through open wounds in the nipple. The symptoms are: the chest becomes hot and hurts a lot, chills, lethargy and fever.
• Fungal infection. It may be due to infection, or perhaps the child has fungus in her mouth because she has been given antibiotics or other medication. Among the symptoms are: a red and moist breast with sharp pain.
• Milk congestion. This occurs when the milk ducts become blocked, causing great pain. It can occur in just one breast or in both. The skin turns red, a white dot appears on the nipple and then a lump appears.

• Other types of obstacles for the breast milk to come out, for example that the expulsion reflex is not triggered. This can occur when the milk returns when you start breastfeeding. It can cause the breasts to swell and hurt.

What can be done when breastfeeding hurts?

To make the moments you spend breastfeeding your baby as painless and comfortable as possible, note the following tips:

• When breastfeeding, keep the baby’s head straight and wait for him to open his mouth wide. When doing so, hold the breast with one hand and point it up at the baby’s palate. Make sure his mouth covers a large part of the areola.

• Breastfeed your baby every two hours. At night, you may need to wake her up to feed her because she often wants to eat the same way she does during the day.

• If the baby drinks from only one of your breasts, offer the other breast the next time you feed him. This way you avoid damaging one.
• Change position when breastfeeding so that you can easily relieve discomfort and pain.
• Avoid wearing a bra that is too tight. Otherwise, this may lead to increased pressure or friction against the skin.

Take care of your breasts

• Wash your nipples with only lukewarm water. Do not use soaps that contain alcohol or other chemicals as they can cause irritation and dry them out.
• To avoid cracks in the nipple and to heal them, the best treatment is the breast milk itself.

• Try to stay calm and avoid stress.

In any case, your doctor or breastfeeding assistant will be the ones who can best advise you on what to do if the pain becomes increasingly intense.

Although motherhood includes moments that require hard work on the part of the mother, the suffering and pain should never be excessive.