8 Ways to Treat Sore Nipples While Breastfeeding, Along with the Causes

Kapanlagi.com - For a mother, breastfeeding is important for the growth and development of their child. Including breastfeeding with breast milk, which is natural milk to increase the mother's immune system. However, many mothers feel pain while breastfeeding their child. This is certainly due to sore nipples during breastfeeding. Actually, there are many ways to treat sore nipples before it gets worse.

There are natural ways, or you can also apply ointment before breastfeeding your child. You also need to know the possible causes of sore nipples while breastfeeding. So that this can be minimized when another child is born later. Of course, treating sore nipples must also be done consistently, so that healing can be done properly and maximally.

What are the treatment methods? And what are the causes? For that, according to various sources, here are 8 ways to treat sore nipples for breastfeeding mothers. Let's check it out KLovers.

1. Warm Compress

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The first way to treat sore nipples is by using a warm compress. This warm compress can be a pain reliever and reduce discomfort in the breast area. In addition, this warm compress can also moisturize the nipple area well.

You can use a warm towel to compress the sore nipples. You can also take a warm bath to provide a more soothing feeling to the body. Besides treating sore nipples, using a warm compress can also clean the nipples from bacteria.

2. Apply Moisturizer

Yes, moisturizer is indeed a choice for sore and dry skin. In fact, moisturizer is very useful for treating sore nipples due to breastfeeding. There are many moisturizers that you can use to treat sore nipples. Such as natural moisturizers using honey, tea tree oil, olive oil, and coconut oil.

In addition to using natural moisturizers, you can also use ointments available at the pharmacy. Or use baby oil or lip balm with high moisturizing content. For ointments, choose those containing chamomile or calendula to soothe sore nipples.

3. Basil Leaves

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Apparently, basil leaves are one of the natural ways to treat sore nipples, KLovers. Yes, besides giving a pleasant aroma to food, basil leaves can be a powerful remedy for sore nipples caused by breastfeeding. Basil leaves are used to heal many skin infections and have great healing properties. Basil leaves can help relieve pain and cracked nipples.

The way to use basil leaves as a remedy for sore nipples is also easy, KLovers. Take a cup of basil leaves and wash them thoroughly with water. Then mash the basil leaves into a paste and add a teaspoon of honey to it. Apply the mixture to the nipple for 30 minutes and clean it before breastfeeding. Do this 3-4 times a day, KLovers, for maximum results.

4. Tea Bag

Not only basil leaves, it turns out that tea bags can also be a natural remedy for sore nipples. But not just any tea bag, KLovers, you have to use chamomile tea bags. According to a study published in the Molecular Medicine Reports journal cited from SehatQ, chamomile tea can accelerate the healing of sore and cracked nipples during breastfeeding.

This is because chamomile tea can quickly dry out wounds with the antimicrobial content in chamomile tea that can fight against microbial infections. You can dip the chamomile tea bag in warm water, then squeeze and apply the tea bag compress to your sore nipples.

5. Ice Cubes

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In addition to compressing with warm water, it turns out that cold things can also be a way to treat sore nipples while breastfeeding, KLovers. This is because ice cubes can be trusted to reduce pain and soreness in the nipples during breastfeeding. The method is quite easy, you just need to place the ice cubes in a cotton cloth and compress them on the nipples for a few minutes. Do it regularly and before you breastfeed your child, KLovers, so that the pain in the nipples is not too noticeable.

6. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera indeed has many benefits for the body and beauty. And one of the benefits of aloe vera is to be a natural remedy for sore nipples. It is known that aloe vera has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic properties, and is able to protect and heal wounds, especially on the skin. Aloe vera can even regenerate your skin.

That's because this plant, which has a myriad of benefits, contains glucomannan which is useful for increasing collagen production. So the skin can regenerate quickly and wounds heal faster. The way to do it is by applying aloe vera gel to the nipples and leave it for a few minutes before breastfeeding, but don't forget to clean the aloe vera gel thoroughly so that your child doesn't consume it.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

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Next is by using apple cider vinegar. Yes, just like aloe vera, apple cider vinegar also has many benefits for the body. Whether it's for the inside or outside of the body. That's because the acid and vitamin C content in apple cider vinegar can optimize wound healing.

Increasing vitamin C intake can even help prevent cracked and painful nipples. Consume more vitamin C-rich foods such as apple cider vinegar, or leafy green vegetables like water spinach, broccoli, parsley, bell peppers, and fruits like oranges, papayas, guavas, kiwis, melons, and so on to keep your body healthy and prevent cracked nipples.

8. Use Breast Milk

And the last way to treat sore nipples is by using breast milk. Yes, many people do not know that breast milk can be a powerful remedy for sore nipples. This is because breast milk has antibacterial properties, which can help heal sore, dry, or cracked nipples. The way to do it is quite easy, KLovers, you just need to apply breast milk to the nipples after breastfeeding the baby about 4-5 times a day.

9. Causes of Sore Nipples while Breastfeeding

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After knowing what remedies can treat sore nipples while breastfeeding, you need to know the causes of why nipples can become sore while breastfeeding. And here are some causes of sore nipples that occur while breastfeeding:

1. Incorrect breastfeeding technique

This can happen when the nipple and the surrounding breast tissue do not properly enter the baby's mouth, causing the nipple to become injured.

2. Breast infection

This condition occurs when bacteria infect the breast tissue through a wound in the nipple or milk duct. Usually, these bacteria come from the baby's mouth and the surface of the breast skin. Sometimes, an infection or inflammation of the breast can also be caused by a blockage or inflammation of the Montgomery glands in the breast.

3. Blocked milk duct

This condition is characterized by the presence of a thin, white or yellowish layer that grows on the top of the milk duct. A blocked milk duct will make it difficult for breast milk to come out, causing the baby to suck harder and eventually the nipple becomes painful.

4. Fungal infection

This fungus can attach to the mother's nipple when the baby is breastfeeding. If the nipple is infected, symptoms such as sores, redness, itching, shiny nipple surface, and breast pain during or after breastfeeding will occur.

5. Tongue tie

Tongue tie can also make it difficult for the baby to suck on the nipple while breastfeeding, causing the mother's nipple to become sore or painful during breastfeeding.

6. Friction from breast pump or baby's mouth

Sore nipples can also be caused by improper use of a breast pump or incorrect breastfeeding position. As a result, friction during breastfeeding or pumping milk causes the nipple to blister.

Those are 8 natural ways to treat sore nipples while breastfeeding, either using natural remedies or ointments. In addition to treating sore nipples, there are also causes that you should know.

(kpl/dhm)