Cracked nipple

                                      Feeding your baby is a Divine experience.When you hold your baby for the first time in your hand and look into his tiny face , feeling of motherhood fills your soul.Its rightfully said that " with the birth of a baby a mother is also born.Before the birth of your baby you are a woman.you become a mother only after you hold your baby and feed him. Breast feeding is something which connect you to your baby both physically and emotionally.But if it becomes a horrendous time for you it might lead to lack of bonding on your part. Cracked or sore nipple usually starts bothering once you start breast feeding as both of you are new at it. But with time and patience it cures on its own

Prepare your breast for feeding


Check your breast and nipple when you are pregnant. sometimes colostrum or sebum accumulate around your nipple and make it dry as time pass by making it vulnerable to crack.Gently clean your nipple with warm water and a mild soap if that is the case.Apply moisturizer cream to keep it soft and supple.Check your nipple if they are flat.If yes then gently massage the nipple and elevate it from its base .You need to do it from 37 weeks onwards not before that as stimulating nipple may lead to premature onset of labour.

What are the symptom?

• You will feel pain ever time you baby feed on your breast
• your nipple is sore to touch
• the skin on your nipple is cracked and painful

 Why do i have cracked/sore nipple

• The main cause is faulty position while feeding ie improper latch. Always give feeding in a comfortable position.You should get a straight back chair with arm rest.If possible should get a small stool to support your leg so that there is no pressure on your hips while feeding. If you need , put a pillow behind your back and another on your lap to put your baby.While feeding , your baby"s tummy should be  touching your tummy.that means tummy to tummy.support your baby"s head in the crook of your elbow .Let your baby open his mouth wide (as in yawning) and then put not only your nipple but the areola too in his mouth. You should be able to put one to one and half inch of your nipple and areola in to his mouth.Only than he will get milk properly.Milk is stored behind the areola and not in your nipple , so if baby gets only the nipple he will have to work hard and suck harder thus leading to cracked nipple.You get a little discomfort when your baby starts sucking and your breast tissue gets stretched way inside baby"s mouth , it should disappear within few minutes but if it persists that means baby is chewing or gumming your nipple so break the latch and try again.
• If baby has yeast or oral thrush infection in his mouth. you will have a shooting pain every time he takes a feed. Its more common if your baby is getting supplementary feed also.
• If you have very dry skin or eczema
• Improper use of breast pump can also lead to cracked nipple

What i can do to get relief

• Proper position and latch on
• rub ice on your nipple before each feed. it will numb the pain
• Some gets relief by putting tea bags on their nipple too
• You can also soak your nipple fully in saline solution .
• Put baby on the better breast first then he will be more gentle on the second breast as he is satisfied.
• Give frequent feeds but for a shorter period.
• Rub a little breast milk after each feed and let it dry. It helps in healing.
• If you still get pain ,you can use simple pain killers like aspirin.
• You can use lanoline containing cream like nip care or sood before and after feed.Do not forget to wipe off any residue before each feed.
• you can also try nipple shield if all the measures are not helping.

Can i continue breast feeding ?

Yes , you can .Crack nipple is not an indication to stop breast feeding your baby.

When to get to your Doctor

• If you are still getting severe pain after using these methods
• Your breast becomes hot and tender and engorged
• You start getting fever
• There are obvious sign of infection in your nipple.

                  It is difficult to tell a mother to keep on feeding if she is experiencing cracked or sour nipple. Only with patience and shear pursuance you can achieve a successful lactation. So do not give up. These are minor hurdles. I am sure with Dedication and determination you will definitely be able to breast feed successfully. So good luck.