Cracked nipples can be very painful and make breastfeeding difficult. They also increase the risk of a breast infection. The biggest cause of this is when the baby does not grasp the breast properly with the mouth and when sucking for too long.

Cracked nipples

Cracked nipples occur when the child is latched on incorrectly and therefore sucks incorrectly from the mother’s breast. This is due to poor or exaggerated hygiene, causing the skin to become too moist or too dry. Inverted nipples can also be the cause of this. Small radial cracks develop in and around the nipple that can feel very painful. Please note that pain in the nipples cannot always be caused by cracked nipples. During the first days of nursing a baby, hypersensitivity may develop that can last 3 to 4 days. However, the skin is not damaged here.

Symptoms of cracked nipples

Cracks can be very painful and are sometimes accompanied by bleeding. Cracked nipples can be a good reason to switch to bottle feeding. Without treatment, serious complications such as mastitis and blood poisoning can develop.The following symptoms can be visibly identified:

• Cracks: Small red lines over and around the nipple
• Cracks: these red painful grooves can continue to feel painful even after feeding
• Wounds: the skin is torn or even torn due to sucking. The nipple is bright red and will bleed during feeding.

Treating cracked nipples

Washing the breast daily with lukewarm water and feeding in the correct position can solve many problems. Change your position each feeding so that the same part of the nipple is not always stressed. Place an ice cube against the nipple 10 minutes before breastfeeding to make it less sensitive.If the cracked nipples do not go away or you regularly develop cracked nipples, it is advisable to inform your doctor. This may indicate an internal infection or eczema .You can also ask your pharmacist for advice about different ointments that can be used to treat cracked nipples externally.

Preventing cracked nipples

First of all, before you give birth, let the maternity nurse inform you carefully about the options for help with breastfeeding. Pull the nipples regularly during the last days of pregnancy to prevent hypersensitivity in the first days after birth.When you start breastfeeding, position yourself so that the baby not only gets the nipple itself in the mouth, but the entire areola. The child must be able to suck the milk from the milk duct in a straight line. Take time to feed. Feed regularly during the first few days and not too long apart.