Breast And Nipple Care
There is no need for creams on your nipples for routine care. After feeds, just express a little breastmilk onto them and let them air dry. Change breast pads frequently, do not let them stay wet.
Check your breasts and nipples daily for signs of any problems such as cracked nipples, lumps, tenderness or redness.
Sore nipples are usually due to the baby not being correctly positioned at the breast, or not sucking properly.
Breast and nipple problems
Sore nipples
This is usually due to the baby not being correctly attached or positioned at the breast, or not sucking properly. To assist in healing any blisters or cracks on your nipples, try expressing a little breastmilk onto your nipples and allow them to air dry after each feed. If your nipples are too painful to put your baby to the breast then you will need to express your breast milk and give the milk to your baby from a bottle for a few feeds or for 24 hours until the cracks are healing.
Seek professional help to assist with correct positioning and attachment, to prevent the cracks recurring.
Breast lumps, redness or tenderness
This is usually due to blocked milk ducts, breasts not being emptied sufficiently or an infection entering from a badly cracked nipple. Blocked ducts feel like small hard tender lumps in your breast, and there may be a patch of redness on the skin over the lump.
To relieve a blocked duct:
- Gently massage the lump towards the nipple under a warm shower before feeds.
- Start the feed on the breast that has the lump for a few feeds in a row.
- While feeding, gently massage the lump.
- Change feeding positions to help empty the affected breast (having baby lower than the breast can help relieve the blockage).
- Express after the feed if the affected breast is still full or the lump remains.
- If you can’t clear the lumps within 12 hours, or continue to get lumps, seek professional help.
- If you also have a fever or feel unwell, you need to see your doctor.
When you need help
Breastfeeding does not always go smoothly or to plan. When you have problems, seek professional support from your Child and Family Health Nurse, a lactation specialist or a specialist organisation/website. Remember, if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Keep asking for help until you get an answer that works for you.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association: www.breastfeeding.asn.au
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800 686 268 (24 hours).
Reference:
Australian Breastfeeding Association; Malvern East.
[Accessed December 2014] Available from www.breastfeeding.asn.au/
