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SORE NIPPLES A common problem with early breastfeeding is soreness. There are several reasons for this: 1) Unfamiliarity. Women in our culture are not used to any sensation on their breasts as they usually wear a bra that allows no movement and layers of clothes to keep warm. It takes a while to get used to nursing a baby on skin that is not usually exposed even to the rubbing of clothes, and certainly not to the elements, as our hands and faces are. Even the normal pinching sensation of the baby latching on feels strange to begin with. 2) Incorrect positioning. Breastfeeding should not hurt once the baby is latched on and is suckling correctly. Even if the skin is already damaged, and then the correct position is adopted, it will stop hurting after the initial latch on. Take him off the breast if it is hurting (put your little finger into the corner of his mouth to break the suction), wait until he turns with his mouth wide open, pull him quickly onto the breast while his mouth is as wide as he will open it. You can also try putting more breast into the baby’s mouth - while he is on the breast - by posting it in from underneath. If you have no joy finding a health professional able to help you to latch satisfactorily you may ’phone a breastfeeding counsellor. 3) Ignoring the pain. Women ignore the warning signs and continue to nurse and allow the baby to damage the breast. Often this is because they are so afraid that he will not latch on again that they continue incorrectly because at least he is nursing. Professional knowledge is thin on the ground. Women are sometimes advised that the baby is correctly latched on when the pain the mother is feeling clearly states that he is not. The mother is not in a position to argue at a time like this: she does not know that it is not supposed to hurt. 4) Engorgement. A very full breast is difficult for a baby to draw into his mouth to begin to nurse. He will apply as much suction as is necessary - and sometimes it is a lot. The breast is more easily bruised when overfull. It can help to express a little milk and have a bath. It is a situation best avoided if you can. See Engorgement p.45. | ||
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CATHERINE HOLLAND Tel: 0701 7415310 Email: catherine@catherineholland.co.uk | |
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