Avoid Cracked Nipples During Nursing

Cracked nipples are a common problem that occurs in breastfeeding mothers. This condition is not only uncomfortable but incredibly painful and may even include bleeding. Most of the time, cracked nipples occur because of the baby latching on incorrectly or poor positioning. There are things you can do to solve this problem because breastfeeding is not supposed to cause pain or discomfort.

If your baby is not latching on or positioned correctly you are at a high risk for developing cracked nipples. Your nipples can become irritated or sore because the skin (areola) that surrounds the nipple is really sensitive and prone to problems.

Cracked nipples can also be caused by eczema which is caused by the type of products that you are applying to your body. This can be any of the following: soap, laundry detergent residue, lotion or perfume. For this reason, it is important to make sure that you are using high quality and natural products that do not cause your skin harm. This condition can also be caused as a result of your baby having thrush. If your nipples are inverted or you are not following the directions on using a breast pump then you are also at risk.

You can find relief for cracked nipples by applying medication, such as lanolin, to them. If you choose to use a pain reliever then be very careful in your choice. Paracetamol is considered one of the safest pain relievers for nursing mothers. If neither of these things seem to help then you can get into contact with either a midwife or a lactation consultant. It is very important to know how to position and get your baby to latch onto your nipple correctly. Once you figure this out then the experience of breastfeeding will be much easier on both you and the baby.

It is becoming more common for mothers to choose natural medicines to help them deal with both the pain and discomfort of breastfeeding. They are very safe for both you and the baby and do not have any side effects like prescription medications. The last thing you want is for your baby to be ingesting harmful chemicals from an artificial medicine. Calc Flour., Silica and Vitamin E Oil are all very good for the skin and can help your cracked nipples to heal very quickly. They also help to make your nipples less itchy and lowers the amount of discomfort you are experiencing. Marigold and Chamomile are used for preventative measures. They help to stop damage before it even happens and protects your body against infection. They also help speed up the healing if you already have cracks in your nipples.