7+ Cara Mudah Mengatasi Puting Sakit saat Menyusui

A portrait of a mother smiling while breastfeeding her baby is the dream of every new mother about to enter this most important phase. However, honestly, breastfeeding can be a painful experience. Mothers may experience sore nipples during breastfeeding, such as cracking, chafing, bleeding, swollen milk ducts, infections, back pain, and more.

The emotional pressure caused by a low milk supply or other breastfeeding issues might add to the pain during nursing. However, when facing such circumstances, it does not mean that Mothers cannot overcome it to enjoy this incredible moment of breastfeeding.

Come on, Mothers, check out several ways to handle and soothe sore nipples during breastfeeding that you can try putting into practice immediately!

What Causes Nipples to Feel Sore During Breastfeeding?

If Mothers have a fever and there is redness spreading around the nipple and breast, you might be suffering from mastitis, which is a condition where milk ducts are clogged or infected due to bacteria entering the breast.

Mastitis can occur due to many factors, ranging from smoking habits, wearing a bra that is too tight, poor nutrition, stress, to improper breastfeeding techniques.

The two main causes of nipple pain during breastfeeding are the baby not latching correctly and a lack of care and attention to nipple health during breastfeeding and pumping.

Pump shields that do not fit properly can cause irritation to a mother's nipples. Fortunately, Hegen Breast Pump products have shields designed to be as comfortable as possible for various nipple shapes.

How to Handle and Prevent Sore Nipples During Breastfeeding

A study result in ACS Publication found that breast milk produced by a mother's body actually contains antibacterial agents that can be utilized to treat chafed nipples and reduce the pain.

The method is quite easy: apply a few drops of freshly expressed breast milk to the nipple area before and after breastfeeding, then let it air dry. It should be noted that nursing mothers cannot apply this method if there is a fungal infection around the nipple, because the fungus will grow faster in moist conditions.

To prevent and soothe pain experienced in the nipple area, ensure Mothers check whether the baby's latch position is correct or not. Mothers need to learn to adjust the breastfeeding position to find comfort for the little one. If the latch is wrong, gently insert a finger into the little one's mouth to release the nipple and try again in another position.

Mothers can apply lanolin or other natural nipple creams to keep the skin around the nipple area moist. Examples of natural ingredients that are good for treating sore nipples include tea tree oil which is antiseptic, olive oil, and almond oil which are effective in moisturizing the nipple area.

Perform a warm compress on the nipple and the painful breast area to clean the nipple area, help the let-down reflex, relieve inflammation, and improve milk production. The warm compress method is very easy: soak a towel in warm water, then apply it to the breast, focusing on the inflamed or swollen area.

Mothers can apply this warm compress routinely before every breastfeeding session so the breast feels more comfortable. Mothers can take a warm shower to feel the effect throughout the entire body.

The pain and soreness that arise come from swollen breasts or clogged milk ducts. To help overcome swelling and improve milk flow in the clogged area, you can use light massages while breastfeeding or between breastfeeding sessions.

In addition to ensuring the cleanliness of the bra and breasts, Mothers also need to wear a comfortable bra that matches the breast size. If using breast pads, try to use herbal hydrogel products that can reduce pain and wounds on the nipples. This method is important to prevent nipple chafing caused by friction with the bra.

Nursing mothers' breasts that are left tight can trigger swelling and pain. Therefore, breasts need to be emptied every time they feel full, generally every two hours after the baby is born.

Regular emptying is an effective way to handle sore breasts during breastfeeding and can also increase milk production. It is recommended to breastfeed or pump breast milk 8-12 times a day, including at night.

If direct breastfeeding is felt to be too painful, the breasts can be emptied using a breast pump. Before doing so, pay attention to the quality of the breast pump equipment used for pumping breast milk so that nipple chafing can be prevented.

Those are several ways to handle sore nipples during breastfeeding that Mothers can apply. If sore nipples are accompanied by chafing, bleeding, or a rash on the skin, immediately see a doctor for further treatment.

Hegen Breast Pump Recommendations You Must Have

We offer the HEGEN PCTO MANUAL BREAST PUMP MODULE and HEGEN PCTO™ DOUBLE ELECTRIC BREAST PUMP NEW.

Both manual and electric breast pumps are equipped with SoftSqround™ flanges made from soft silicone for the best adhesion and gentleness on Mothers' nipples and skin.

Uniquely, the Hegen Double Electric Breast Pump is also equipped with a massage feature! Simply replace the eCap with the Kneading Ring that resembles cupping massage tools inspired by TCM. This massage feature helps stimulate circulation, relieve swelling or pain, and increase happiness hormones.

Get the Hegen Breast Pump product series as well as other baby supplies for breastfeeding only on the official Hegen website. Check out the collection and checkout your chosen products right now!

References

1. ACS Publications. Accessed in 2020. Human Milk Oligosaccharides Exhibit Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Properties against Group B Streptococcus.
2. Alodokter. 6 Cara Mengatasi Puting Sakit Saat Menyusui. https://www.alodokter.com/begini-cara-mengatasi-puting-sakit-saat-menyusui
3. KlikDokter.com. 14 Cara Mengatasi Payudara Sakit Saat Menyusui. https://www.klikdokter.com/ibu-anak/ibu-menyusui/cara-mengatasi-payudara-sakit-saat-menyusui