Pain during breastfeeding should be managed immediately. This is because it can cause you to stop breastfeeding or prevent you from enjoying the beautiful experience of nourishing your baby at your breast. You may experience a little discomfort at the beginning of breastfeeding while both you and your baby are getting used to it. But this should not last long and should disappear in a few days.
Causes of pain during breastfeeding
There are several causes of pain during breastfeeding. Some are serious while others are not.
Painful let-down
One of the less serious causes of pain during breastfeeding is painful let-down. Letdown is when milk rushes into and out of your breasts. Some women experience this as a tingling sensation, and fullness in the breasts, while others experience a mild pain. Some women may not feel anything at all. It is usually not severe enough to distress you and can be ignored.
Breast engorgement can cause pain during breastfeeding
Breast engorgement can be very painful. In the initial days after birth, many women will not have a lot of milk in their breasts. From day 3-5, the breasts then get full and heavy. But at this time, a lot of babies are not able to feed long enough to remove all the milk. This is just because both mother and baby are probably now learning how to breastfeed. Additionally, babies’ tummies are quite small. The result is that the breasts become big and painful.
Relieve this pain by expressing milk and storing or throwing away. Express your breasts till you empty them to help improve your milk supply so that once you get more conversant with breastfeeding, you have a good supply of milk.
On the other hand, if you do not want to breastfeed, then express just enough breastmilk till your pain is relieved and stop. Don’t empty your breasts.
You can use a warm compress on your breasts before feeding or expressing to allow the milk to flow, and a cold compress afterwards to relieve the pain. Breast engorgement may also be caused by a long interval between feeds. This happens when you leave your baby and go out or when your baby has slept for long.
Nipple pain from a poor latch
This comes from a poor latch. You feel pain with each suck. Stop breastfeeding and reposition your baby for a better latch. This is the most important thing to do in managing breastfeeding pain, according to Babycenter. Otherwise, your nipples will soon get sore and cracked.
You know your baby has latched well when your nipple is deep within their mouth, their lower lip is turned outward, and more than half of the black portion of your breast surrounding the nipple (the areola) disappears within your baby’s mouth. Your baby’s lips should not hold your nipple. They should hold your areola.
Sore, cracked nipples can cause severe pain during breastfeeding
Sore, cracked nipples are notorious for causing pain during breastfeeding. They are a result of a poor latch that is not corrected early. To treat it, correct the latch.
After breastfeeding, squeeze a little bit of breastmilk and apply to your nipples. Allow it to dry on your nipples. This is our preferred treatment although you can also apply a bit of lanolin to the nipple. There are also nipple creams that you can try. Remember your baby will swallow anything you put on your breast so check the label and speak to your doctor.
You can also use nipple shields but it is better you consult with a lactation consultant first. This is because they can cause nipple confusion.
Plugged milk ducts
Plugged milk ducts may also cause pain. There are ducts which are like small pipes coming from the various segments of your breasts, carrying breastmilk into your nipples. Just like any ordinary pipe, one or some of these ducts can get plugged with breastmilk. This shows as a lump in a small part of the breast that is slightly painful. There may also be a whitish bulge on a part of your nipple. It is not red. You do not feel sick.
Relieve this by gently massaging that area while breastfeeding. In addition, position your baby so that his chin faces the plugged duct while breastfeeding. If you take a warm shower before breastfeeding, it helps the milk to move out of the clogged duct.
To prevent plugged ducts, change your breastfeeding position frequently-breastfeed lying down on the side, while sitting up and while reclining. This helps your baby to remove milk from all parts of the breasts and prevent clogged ducts. Also avoid tight clothes or brassieres, or brassieres with underwires that may hinder the flow of milk while breastfeeding. If a lump persists in your breast despite the measures above, see a doctor who can make sure it is nothing more sinister.
Plugged milk ducts
If you have plugged ducts or engorged breasts and you do not relieve them, you may get breast abscesses. You will feel sick and have a high temperature. A part of your breast will feed hard, hot, and very painful. Your baby may refuse breastmilk from that side because the taste may change.
Go to hospital for this. You will be given antibiotics and pain medications, and the abscess may be drained. Rest so that you can recover quickly.
Nipple thrush
Thrush of the nipples may show as a sore or cracked nipple that itches, is shiny, has a flaky nature and have blisters. Thrush pain is severe and feels as though it comes from deep within the breast. This pain can persist for up to one hour after breastfeeding.
When a mother has nipple thrush, the baby likely has thrush as well. This will show as whitish plaques that are difficult to clean on your baby’s tongue, inner parts of their lips and gums. Baby may also have a diaper rash. Sometimes, thrush occurs after your baby has used a course of antibiotics. Both you and your baby need to be treated.
To prevent thrush, change your breast pad as soon as it is wet. Do not wear wet or damp brassieres.
Inverted or flat nipples get better
Inverted or flat nipples may cause a bit of pain initially but within a week or two, as baby’s mouth grows and you get better at breastfeeding, it stops.
Pain not coming from the breast
You will get backpain if you adopt an improper posture for too long during breastfeeding. Don’t hunch over and take your breast to your baby to breastfeed. Sit or lie comfortably and bring your baby to your breast. You can use a pillow to support your baby in the initial days when they are so small.
Breastfeeding is not supposed to be painful when it is done well. Pain on breastfeeding is a sign that you need support. Speak to your midwife or doctor so you get the needed help to feed your baby like a pro.