Overcoming Nipple Blisters in Breastfeeding Mothers

Medical Video: How to Treat Breastfeeding Blisters | CloudMom

One of the most pleasant phases for a woman is when she becomes a mother. After giving birth, the breastfeeding phase is one of the most important. However, sometimes many mothers experience health problems while breastfeeding, so that the baby does not get enough milk. One problem that is often encountered is cracked nipple. Cracked nipple is pain and abrasions in the nipple area. In Indonesia, an estimated 80-90% of nursing mothers experience nipple pain and 26% of them experience blisters on the nipples.

Nipple damage may occur due to trauma to the nipple due to the wrong way of breastfeeding. In addition, improper breast care can also cause damage to the nipple area. Discomfort for both mother and baby as a result cracked nipple, being one of the reasons mothers choose to stop breastfeeding their babies and replace milk with formula milk. In fact, the government has programmed exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. In periods of exclusive breastfeeding, babies should only get nutrients from breast milk, without additional milk and complementary foods.

How do you deal with blisters?

Nipple blisters usually heal on their own, as long as they are properly treated. Breast care on cracked nipple this is very easy and can be done at home. Follow the steps below to overcome the nipple blisters that you experience.

Compress the breast with a wet cloth that has been dipped in warm water. Stick on the part of the breast that has problems for 5 minutes, 3x-5x a day, depending on the level of pain and abrasions that the mother feels.
After compressing, the nipple area must be dry and try not to get damp.
Rest your breasts if the blisters are very heavy, at least 24 hours.
Mothers can also apply breast milk to the nipple and let it dry. This method is believed to accelerate blisters healing.
Do not clean the nipple area with irritants, for example, giving leaves to the nipples. Minimize the use of soap for cleaning, except using baby soap which tends not to cause irritation.
If the pain is unbearable, paracetamol tablets 3-4 times a day can be effective in reducing the level of pain.
To provide comfort, choose a bra that has good support.
Add foods that contain vitamin E. If necessary, add vitamin E supplements.
Keep breastfeeding, if the pain decreases. If the pain continues, breast milk can be milked as an alternative.

How to breastfeed properly so that the nipples do not blister

Many mothers, especially young mothers who do not understand the correct breastfeeding technique. Incorrect techniques are the main contributing factors to pain and abrasions in the nipple area. As a result, breast milk does not come out maximally and children get less nutrition from breast milk. Good breastfeeding should be done alternately between the two breasts. So, don't focus on just one breast in breastfeeding your little one. Come on, pay attention to how good and true breastfeeding is below.

Don't keep the baby's body away from the mother. The baby's abdomen or chest must be attached to the mother's abdomen or chest. Such a position is called chest to chest.
Position the baby's face facing the breast. Try not to turn the baby's neck or face forward. This position is called chin to breast, where the baby's chin must stick properly to the mother's breast area.
Present the entire baby's body facing the mother's body. Keep your baby's ears in a straight line with the baby's arms and neck
Support the baby's body well. Don't just support your neck and head, keep your baby's back to increase comfort while breastfeeding.
Eye contact between mother and baby can increase the strong inner bond between the two. This needs to be done when breastfeeding your child
Position the baby's head correctly. The baby's head must be on the mother's arm, not the mother's elbow.

Putting abrasion milk rarely causes complications. If any, it is usually limited to fever and swelling in the breast. However, be careful if swelling does not diminish with warm compresses. Immediately consult a doctor, so as not to develop into a breast abscess that can cause pus and secondary infections.

With good and correct breastfeeding techniques, cracked nipple can be prevented, and the moment of breastfeeding is even more enjoyable.

READ ALSO: