~Breast Feeding Complications

 

Sore nipples

A lot of mothers complain about tender nipples that

make breast feeding painful and frustrating.  There 

is good news though, as most mothers don't suffer

that long.  The nipples will toughen up quickly 

and render breast feeding virtually painless.

Improperly positioned babies or babies that suck

really hard can make the breasts extremely sore.

Below, are some ways to ease your discomfort:

1.  Make sure your baby is in the correct

position, since a baby that isn't positioned correctly

is the number one cause of sore nipples.

2.  Once you have finished feeding, expose 

your breasts to the air and try to protect them from

clothing and other irritations.  

3.  After breast feeding, apply some ultra

purified, medical grade lanolin, making sure to avoid

petroleum jelly and other products with oil.

4.  Make sure to wash your nipples with water

and not with soap.

5.  Many women find teabags ran under cold 

water to provide some relief when placed on the

nipples.

6.  Make sure you vary your position each time

with feeding to ensure that a different area of the

nipple is being compressed each time.

Clogged milk ducts

Clogged milk ducts can be identified as small, red tender

lumps on the tissue of the breast.  Clogged ducts can 

cause the milk to back up and lead to infection.  The 

best way to unclog these ducts is to ensure that you've 

emptied as completely as possible.  You should offer

the clogged breast first at feeding time, then let 

your baby empty it as much as possible.

If milk remains after the feeding, the remaining amount

should be removed by hand or with a pump.  You should

also keep pressure off the duct by making sure your

bra is not too tight.

Breast infection

Also known as mastititis, breast infection is normally

due to empty breasts completely out of milk, germs

gaining entrance to the milk ducts through cracks or

fissures in the nipple, and decreased immunity in the

mother due to stress or inadequate nutrition.

The symptoms of breast infection include severe pain

or soreness, hardness of the breast, redness of the

breast, heat coming from the area, swelling, or even

chills.

The treatment of breast infection includes bed rest,

antibiotics, pain relievers, increased fluid intake,

and applying heat.  Many women will stop breast feeding

during an infection, although it's actually the wrong

thing to do.  By emptying the breasts, you'll 

actually help to prevent clogged milk ducts.

If the pain is so bad you can't feed, try using a 

pump while laying in a tub of warm water with your

breasts floating comfortably in the water.  You should

also make sure that the pump isn't electric if you

plan to use it in the bath tub.

You should always make sure that breast infections

are treated promptly and completely or you may 

risk the chance of abscess.  An abscess is very 

painful, involving throbbing and swelling.  You'll

also experience swelling, tenderness, and heat in

the area of the abscess.  If the infection progresses

this far, your doctor may prescribe medicine and 

even surgery.