Breastfeeding Pain
Breastfeeding ensures proper growth and a very healthy baby. It has a few side effects, and a common one is pain. Whether it’s pain from the nipple being raw or from milk duct constriction, breast pain can be quite a hindrance. Fortunately, there are a few ways to treat and mitigate this problem.
Sharp Pain from Forceful
Let-Down There are a few different causes of breast pain and several different types of pain a breastfeeding mother may experience. Sharp, shooting pain in the breast is often caused by the milk ducts in the breast constricting. When a mother breastfeeds, milk is sent to the nipple from the breast. Sometimes this let-down is forceful and causes sharp pain. When a mother produces more milk than her baby can handle, these pains are more likely to occur.
The treatment of this type of pain is time. Most times these pains will go away on their own. The baby will be able to deal with the milk amount, and the milk production should regulate.
Infection and Plugged Ducts
Sharp pain could be caused by something more serious like an infection. One or more milk ducts in the breast could become clogged and cause an infection. Clogged milk ducts will stop breast milk from properly flowing. Mothers who have an infection need to go to the doctor and get proper treatment for it. This will take away breastfeeding pain. Also, in order to prevent this type of pain when breastfeeding, try alternating between each breast regularly to help prevent plugged ducts and subsequent infections.
Latching Trouble and Painful Blisters
Another cause of breastfeeding pain is when the baby has trouble latching onto the breast. Improper latching can cause discomfort, sharp pain, and painful blisters. In order to reduce the pain of a blister, puncturing the blister with a sterilized needle can help. Soaking the breast in hot water with Epsom salt can help stop the cause of pain as well. The best solution to stopping this particular type of breastfeeding pain is to help the baby latch on to the breast properly. This may take some practice and time.
Engorged Breasts
Having engorged breasts can cause moderate discomfort; the breasts are swollen, painful, and very tender. Some people liken it to feeling like there is a rock in the affected breast. This happens because the breasts are filled with too much milk since the baby is not able to drink all of it during nursing sessions. It can be hard to breastfeed with tender, engorged breasts.
In order to reduce this breastfeeding pain, the baby should be fed very often, and a breast pump can be used to reduce some of the extra milk.