Written by Mélanie Landru, IBCLC Lactation Consultant and Dietician and Naturopath - Updated on Jul 25, 2024
By Mélanie Landru - IBCLC lactation consultant, dietitian, and naturopath
©Helena Cooper
BREASTFEEDING AND CRACKS: HOW TO PREVENT AND TREAT THEM NATURALLY?
Cracks! Often this simple word is enough to scare mothers or expectant mothers who want to breastfeed or who are currently breastfeeding.
This is a topic that comes up very often during the pre- and postnatal discussions I have with mothers.
Breastfeeding your child should not hurt.
Cracks and pain are neither normal nor a necessary step when choosing to breastfeed your child.
However, they reveal a dysfunction that it is important to understand quickly the cause of, and to find solutions to eliminate the trigger and treat the painful and damaged part of the nipple. Sharp and repeated pain at every feeding can be unbearable for the mother, and clearly harm the continuation of breastfeeding.
It is normal to decide to stop breastfeeding under such conditions! To avoid pain and making this decision, it is important to ask for help when you feel the pain starting.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A CRACK?
Sometimes barely visible, the crack can take the form of an erosion of the skin of the nipple. More visible, it resembles a fissure and sometimes a very marked wound causing bleeding. This bleeding poses no risk to the baby. The baby can therefore continue to nurse even if the nipple is very damaged.
A CRACK AND SEVERAL POSSIBLE CAUSES
The origins of nipple pain are mainly mechanical:
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A baby's position and latch that are not optimal will promote nipple pinching. This is the number one cause of pain.
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The sudden withdrawal of the baby's mouth during feeding
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A suction problem whose cause can vary (small mouth opening, jaw tension, restrictive tongue or lip ties, a baby's anatomical specificity, etc.)
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Overfull and engorged breasts will make it difficult for the baby to latch.
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Improper use of the breast pump can also damage the nipple: wrong nipple shield size, too high power, too long usage duration, etc.
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Tensions in the neck (torticollis) of the baby can also interfere with their latch.
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A bacterial or fungal infection can also cause nipple pain and cracks that do not heal.
You see, the causes are varied. That is why it is important to find help from healthcare professionals trained in breastfeeding to identify them and provide solutions.
ARE CRACKS AND PAIN INEVITABLE?
I believe the best remedy is prevention and information!
Before birth, “breastfeeding preparation” appointments will allow showing different positions and explaining what an optimal latch is. Even if the baby is not yet in the parents' arms, this sharing time provides reference points for the start of breastfeeding.
Once the baby is born, it is crucial in my opinion to pay close attention to the position they have to latch and how their latch goes. This is when parents can use the reference points seen before birth and especially call on the healthcare professionals around them to work together and ensure that all elements are in place to promote the most peaceful and painless breastfeeding possible.
AND IF CRACKS STILL APPEAR?
Identifying the cause will allow you to correct what causes cracks and pain. You can absolutely breastfeed your child with a still unhealed crack and without pain by simply improving the position and latch. It's magical and so relieving for moms!
TO HELP THE BREASTS HEAL
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Breast milk: the simple natural remedy that hydrates and promotes nipple healing. Just express breast milk after feeding and apply it to the nipple, then leave the breasts exposed to air for a few moments without getting cold.
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Breast milk compresses are very often offered in maternity wards. It is important to be rigorous about hygiene and to change them very regularly at each feeding or every 2 hours.
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Hydrogel compresses are also interesting because they may help limit the risk of bacterial contamination. They help soothe pain thanks to their cooling effect.
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Purified lanolin found in several “cream” type preparations is also a possible ally thanks to its soothing and moisturizing properties.
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There are many care oils and creams made for nipple care. Always keep an eye on their composition because unfortunately some may contain chemical substances and elements that can cause skin reactions and even allergies.
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On the plant side, aromatic hydrosols of lavender officinalis and Damask rose (not to be confused with essential oils which are not recommended at all during breastfeeding) mixed in equal parts and sprayed are compatible with breastfeeding and recommended in case of cracks.
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Homeopathy also offers suitable remedies that can be prescribed by a doctor or a homeopathic midwife.
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Chinese medicine is also a good ally in case of cracks. Call on your trained midwife or a trained professional.
Focus on moxas:
Camille, trained in traditional Chinese medicine and with whom I work, shares an effective tool: the moxa stick. This method requires no contact with the skin.
What is it: the moxa stick or mugwort branch provides a source of gentle heat whose effects are comparable to an acupuncture needle placement without the discomfort of needle insertion.
This method allows to tone the energy and to heal the damaged area more quickly.
There are moxa sticks with smoke and without smoke.
Precautions : For sticks with smoke, be careful not to burn yourself with the ash and make sure to ventilate the room well. This last point applies to the use of sticks with and without smoke.
How to proceed: simply light the stick and make small circles facing the area to be relieved.
At about 15 minutes per painful nipple, in a few days the pain disappears and the skin is healed.
Source: illustration canva.com
Another tip to relieve pain given to us by Camille: point 18 located on the stomach meridian. It is located under the nipple aligned with the root of the breast.
How to do it: apply a gentle pressure making a circular movement at stomach point 18 on each side for about 2 minutes.
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Silver cups or breastfeeding shells prevent the nipple from being in direct contact with the fabric of clothes or the bra. Contact sometimes very unpleasant for the mother.
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The use of a silicone nipple shield: very (too) often recommended to relieve pain during feeding. It would really be preferable to use them while being supported by a breastfeeding professional. It can sometimes limit the pain but sometimes it won't change anything or even increase the pain, especially if the size is not adapted to the mother’s nipple size. We prefer that its use be ideally limited in time because it can cause a decrease in milk production and it does not promote an optimal and physiological latch. Now, I prefer to see a mother breastfeeding her child calmly with a silicone nipple shield and carrying out her breastfeeding plan as she wishes rather than a mother who stops breastfeeding abruptly because of too much pain.
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Nutrition also plays a role in the healing process. A healthy, varied, and balanced diet that meets the needs for proteins and fatty acids necessary during this breastfeeding period. Consume the equivalent of 3 to 4 tablespoons of quality vegetable oils rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Good quality fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and sources of antioxidants. A specific supplement of fatty acids and minerals can also complement the diet.
There are several methods to relieve sore nipples. Studies do not show that one method is more effective than another. It is up to each person to test and see which ones suit you best.
Talk about your pains and get support from a professional trained in breastfeeding because it is not normal to have pain while breastfeeding and solutions exist to relieve you and stop this process.
And above all, trust yourself and your baby.#crevasses #allaitement #breastfeeding #consultanteenlactation #bébé #soin #maternité
