Sore nipples

Breastfeeding is a time of special attachment for mother and child. However, right at the beginning many women suffer from subdued and aching nipples. We explain to you the reasons behind this and what measures help.

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The sucking of the child at the nipple can be very unpleasant especially in the first period of breast feeding and lead to partial sore nipples. After all, the nipple must get accustomed to its new function, and after some time becomes less sensitive to touch.
The range of symptoms ranges from barely visible irritation of the mamillary skin to massive, bloody skin detachments or deep tears / cracking, which are also called rhagades. Complications usually occur during the first nursing days. Wounds and aching nipples can occur during the whole lactation period and are one of the most common reasons why mothers abstain early.
In any case, it is advisable not to ignore the complaints and to consult an expert with persistent pain.
symptoms
At the beginning, pain and redness in the area of ​​the nipple can be observed. Subsequently, suction and blood vesicles as well as punctiform skin or mucosal bleeding (petechia) can occur. This results in small and sometimes bleeding tears in the skin (fissures and rhagades).
On the resulting wounds skin crusts can develop between the individual breastfeeding times. These are frequently torn up again at the next breastfeeding and often lead to severe pain in the breastfeeding women.
The symptoms and abnormalities in the area of ​​the nipple and the areola can be different. These include:
Redness of the nipple in different manifestations
pink-bluish or pale discolored nipple and areola with open wounds (lesions) as well as a burning before and after breastfeeding. These symptoms indicate a thrush (infection with fungi of the genus Candida).
swollen nipples. They arise among others. ointments applied too thickly, and rarely changing wet silks with plastic film.
Suction or water bubbles, which are initially filled with clear liquid. If the complication is not corrected in time, the blisters can fill with blood.
Skin spots of different types:

White spots or a completely white nipple may indicate a vascular spasm, a sudden convulsive constriction of a blood vessel due to a stimulus. Magnesium deficiency, vasoconstricting drugs or a high consumption of vasoconstricting substances such as caffeine or nicotine can be behind this.
Blue spots can be caused by unfavorable chest coverage or an incorrectly positioned exhaust pump.
Yellowish spots usually point to dead skin epithelium, which dissolves with time.
What can be the causes of sore nipples?
An unfavorable suction technique of the child or a wrong application method of the mother are the most common causes for sore nipples. If such defects are detected and corrected quickly, aching nipples can be prevented with high probability.
The following behaviors or circumstances can sore nipples:
Development of a too strong suction at the beginning of breastfeeding. This is problematic with sparse or missing milk flow. This high suction irritates the fabric and it can lead to bubble formation. The resulting negative pressure decreases as soon as the milk flows and the child starts to swallow. Also, the suction strength of the electric pumping device can be set too high.
improper handling of the nursing or suckling bag
Specially shaped nipples, such as flat, chamfered or flattened nipples, can make the baby's sucking difficult and cause problems.
incorrect or abrupt release of the child from the breast
to a rare alternation of wet silicates, too much breast-black ointment or intolerance of ointments used
lack of hygiene of the breast
Wound nipples can also be a reaction of the body to psychological overload or a sign for an initial postpartum depression.
Also, circumstances affecting the child can be the actual cause of breastfeeding problems. The following conditions can lead to suction problems and thus sore nipples:
restricted mouth opening and lips
Temperament and sucking behavior of the child
Suction confusion - the temporary or permanent false suction of an infant at the mother's breast
KiSS (head-joint-induced symmetry disturbance)
pronounced bite reflex, convulsive biting, muscular hypertension
short tongue tapes or other abnormalities in the range.