Breastfeeding: cracks in the breast

It is common for breastfeeding mothers to develop cracks in the breast. They usually appear in the first days after giving birth when breastfeeding the baby is a technique on which they do not have much practice. Cracks are injuries that result from improper positioning of the baby during breastfeed

It is common for breastfeeding mothers to develop cracks in the breast. They usually appear in the first days after giving birth when breastfeeding the baby is a technique on which they do not have much practice. Cracks are injuries that result from improper positioning of the baby during breastfeeding. They can come out in one or in both breasts and usually improve and disappear when the mother and the baby adopt a proper breastfeeding technique.

How to avoid cracks in the breast during breastfeeding

To avoid cracks in the breast during breastfeeding, it is important that the position of the baby at the breast is correct. It is preferable that your belly and yours are in contact and that the head and body of the baby form a straight line. As for the baby's mouth, his mouth should cover as much as possible of areola, not just the nipple.

Another way to prevent the appearance of cracks is not to wash your chest excessively. An excess of hygiene can dry out the area and cause the appearance of these wounds. With a daily shower is enough to have a good hygiene, it is not necessary to wash the area before and after the intakes.

There are children who can not hold on well because they have frenulum, in that case the pediatrician must make a small intervention to eradicate the problem and suckle correctly.

Do not give baby bottles or pacifiers since it will cost more when trying to express milk from the breast and will not perform a correct suction.

Treat the cracks that appear in the breast during lactation

Correct the position of the baby to the breast and check that it has a good grip. If you do not get it by yourself, you can go to your midwife or support groups for breastfeeding women that exist. They can solve the problem so you can enjoy breastfeeding.

Apply a few drops of milk after the shots on the crack and let it air dry since will help it to heal. In addition, there are lanolin creams that some women use after taking. If you use them, never wash the breast before the next feeding, they do not harm the baby. However, avoid antigrietas ointments, are not usually very effective and the baby should not ingest them.

It is important that you take care of the cracks in the chest and if they have already left you have a good hygiene on them to prevent them from becoming infected and cause mastitis, a complication of breastfeeding that is quite annoying que and that supposes an inflammation and redness of the mom.