It is not meant to hurt but most mothers will experience sore breasts from breastfeeding during the early stages of nursing. Nipple soreness is the main contributing factor. This may vary from slight tenderness to bleeding or cracked nipples.
The position in which the baby is held as it feeds determines the degree of soreness in the nipples. A baby’s system is underdeveloped and it thus has to learn the act of nursing. Indeed it needs time to understand this. When it’s lips, tongue or gum develop some more, the nipple tissue is abraded leading to soreness. In spite of this, as it is continually nursed, it’s movements become agreeable.
Breast fullness is a normal part of lactation, usually two to five days after birth. Sometimes the baby is not fed often enough or with robustness or may even be away from its mother. Milk is not removed and the breasts harden and the skin becomes overstretched. This swelling is painful and the nipple becomes flat. The infant cannot properly feed.
Nipple confusion is another cause of pain. A mother may opt to alternately feed the baby off a bottle or her breast. Even though it appears to work the same way, it does not. A man-made nipple is rubber, allowing the baby to press down quite hard with its mouth. This it repeats on the mother’s nipple which is too soft to withstand the pain. Introduction of pacifiers should only occur once mechanics of the breast are mastered.
This condition may also occur when the milk flow is blocked. A mother’s mammary has a duct system through which milk flows. Blockage of the ducts inhibits milk flow. The breast then feels tender and painful. If left untreated, yeast infections such as mastitis may develop.
There are cures to soreness. A nursing mother can try a different nursing hold, such as the cradle hold or football hold to try to correct the baby’s technique. Massage of the breast, exposure to warmth and hand expressing milk can ease engorgement, which in turn helps the baby’s latch. Some apply oils to heal cracked nipples while ointment and powder based medicine treat infections.
Sore breasts from breastfeeding should not deter a mother from nursing the infant to perfect health. Though the uncertainties on correct parenting constantly plague a new mother, the ensuing rigors of breastfeeding should not break one down. The pain is temporary and if you persevere the benefits are numerous.
When first beginning the process of breastfeeding, sore nipples are a frequent happening. You can experience sore breasts for any of several causes.