{"id":50183,"date":"2024-07-10T10:19:51","date_gmt":"2024-07-10T07:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/?p=50183"},"modified":"2024-07-16T14:57:21","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T11:57:21","slug":"nipple-breast-care-during-breastfeeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/nipple-breast-care-during-breastfeeding\/","title":{"rendered":"Nipple &#038; Breast Care During Breastfeeding"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you are an experienced mother or a new mother nursing for the first time, you may experience a number of common problems. Like the natural course of life, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ebebek.co.uk\/collections\/maternity-breastfeeding\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">breastfeeding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comes with its own ups and downs, and knowing how to take care of them along the way makes your life easier, bringing you so much comfort. Breastfeeding can be a long journey, and taking care of yourself along the way ensures a safe, comfy and most importantly, healthy journey. Let\u2019s discover what can be wrong, and what can be done about each of them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/nipple-breast-care-during-breastfeeding\/#Why_is_Nipple_and_Breast_Care_Important_During_Breastfeeding\" title=\"Why is Nipple and Breast Care Important During Breastfeeding?\">Why is Nipple and Breast Care Important During Breastfeeding?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/nipple-breast-care-during-breastfeeding\/#Sore_Nipples\" title=\"Sore Nipples\u00a0\">Sore Nipples\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/nipple-breast-care-during-breastfeeding\/#Infections_or_Painful_Lumps\" title=\"Infections or Painful Lumps\">Infections or Painful Lumps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/nipple-breast-care-during-breastfeeding\/#Yeast_Infections_or_Thrush\" title=\"Yeast Infections or Thrush\">Yeast Infections or Thrush<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/nipple-breast-care-during-breastfeeding\/#Engorged_Breasts\" title=\"Engorged Breasts\u00a0\">Engorged Breasts\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_Nipple_and_Breast_Care_Important_During_Breastfeeding\"><\/span><b>Why is Nipple and Breast Care Important During Breastfeeding?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During pregnancy, most women\u2019s nipples go through many changes from becoming larger to more sensitive. And when your newborn starts feeding from them or you start <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ebebek.co.uk\/collections\/pumps-storage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pumping<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, more pressure and suction are created, which strains the nipple even more. Breastfeeding can take a long time as well, some babies even nurse for up to an hour, and your baby may feed up to 13-14 times a day. This daily strain on your nipples can go on for up to 2 years if your body keeps producing milk, which brings us to the importance of care. With this amount of strain, it is normal for your breasts to hurt or feel sore from time to time, but treating problems swiftly is crucial to prevent further damage, and ensure the comfort of yourself and your baby. The more wet your nipples get, the more dry and damaged they get, just like what happens to our lips when we keep licking them. Like the way we have to moisturise and soothe our lips to keep them healthy and prevent them from hurting, it is the same for our nipples when breastfeeding. Prevention is better than cure and as long as there is not a serious problem present, soreness and pain should not last long after you and your baby become accustomed to breastfeeding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sore_Nipples\"><\/span><b>Sore Nipples\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your nipples can feel sore after every feeding, and they can be red and pointy instead of round and smooth. Soreness in the nipples usually happens when your baby is not latched onto your breast properly and can be easily fixed. If your breast is sitting at the very back of your baby\u2019s mouth, your baby will open their mouth very wide and take in a good deal of breast tissue, so there is nothing to get pinched, and it should not cause any nipple soreness at all. However, if your nipple is sitting in front of your baby\u2019s mouth, you will feel the pinch every time your baby\u2019s tongue comes up, and your baby will not have an easy time feeding either. You can insert your finger into the corner of your baby\u2019s mouth to break the latch as soon as you feel pain and then try latching on again. Your baby should take at least one inch of areola into the mouth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding using soap, which can be drying and irritating, on your breasts can also ease the pain as well. You can wash with clean water, or use products specifically formulated for your breasts and nipples. You might also want to let some milk dry on your breast after feeding, which can help reduce some soreness, and use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ebebek.co.uk\/collections\/nipple-cream\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lanolin-based creams<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> specifically for nipple inflammation and soreness. Using <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ebebek.co.uk\/collections\/nipple-shields\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nipple shields<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when not breastfeeding can also protect your sensitive nipples from any further pain or damage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Infections_or_Painful_Lumps\"><\/span><b>Infections or Painful Lumps<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your baby might be latched on properly and you might still develop sore or tender spots or painful lumps. These commonly result from a plugged milk duct or the early stages of an infection known as mastitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the pain is from a blocked milk duct, you might try applying moist or dry heat compresses to your breast three times a day for 10 minutes, and massage your breast when taking a warm shower. As the duct unplugs, you may express some milk, which helps relieve pain. Continuing to feed on that breast is important for breastfeeding and helps further open the milk ducts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have pain and tenderness and also feel fatigued, are running a fever, and have some flu-like symptoms, you might have a breast infection. The same methods might still help with the infectious ducts but if your fever does not break in 24 hours you might need further medical help. Call your doctor, but in the meantime, experts say do not stop breastfeeding, as your milk is filled with antibodies, it does not harm your baby.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yeast_Infections_or_Thrush\"><\/span><b>Yeast Infections or Thrush<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yeast infections are less troubling, but still an uncomfortable condition on the surface of the breast skin. This problem can develop anytime, even after months of successful nursing. Thrush is a form of yeast infection that thrives on milk, and this infection will likely affect you and your baby. Signs of thrush include red or pink shiny skin that usually itches, and may flake or peel. To understand whether or not your baby is infected as well, look for white spots on the inside of the cheeks, or sometimes a persistent <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ebebek.co.uk\/products\/sebamed-baby-diaper-rash-cream-100ml?_pos=1&amp;_psq=nappy+rash&amp;_ss=e&amp;_v=1.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nappy rash<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you have a yeast infection, you might also have symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection with clumpy white discharge and extreme itchiness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During this time you do not have to stop breastfeeding but both you and your baby need treatment. In this situation, do not try to heal it with home remedies as they may worsen the situation, and consult your physician for the best treatment both for you and your baby.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Engorged_Breasts\"><\/span><b>Engorged Breasts\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engorgement can develop when your milk begins to flood your breasts. Once the milk starts to come into the ducts, lymph fluids and blood also fill your breasts which can cause the breast tissue to swell. And since the tissue pushes down on the milk ducts, the ducts sometimes can shut. In conclusion, breast milk builds up inside the breast and engorgement occurs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your best solution might be placing cold packs on the breast, for about 20 minutes. This can help reduce the swelling and allow the ducts to open. Also right before nursing, you can put a warm pack on your nipples for a few minutes to help with the milk flow and provide a better feeding experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Showers can affect engorgement badly, as warm pouring water can dilate blood vessels and increase the swelling and congestion in your breast. During this time, the most important thing is to keep on nursing, as this can prevent accumulation and lessen the chances of engorgement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have any further questions about breastfeeding and breast care, we have a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/ebebek-breastfeeding-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breastfeeding Guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> curated just for you! Make sure to check it out to provide both yourself and your baby with the best.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you are an experienced mother or a new mother nursing for the first time, you may experience a number of common problems. Like&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":77147,"featured_media":50190,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[476,503,483],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pregnancy","category-complications-concerns","category-health-wellness-in-pregnancy","article","has-background","has-excerpt","has-avatar","has-author","has-date","has-comment-count","has-category-meta","has-read-more","thumbnail-"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/77147"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50183"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50183\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50185,"href":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50183\/revisions\/50185"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bebek.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}