Candida Infection Treatment

There are a few different causes of sore nipples; each with its own treatment and management.To prevent the soreness from recurring, it is necessary to find the cause of the pain and treat the problem at its root.

Here are some reasons why your nipples might be sore from breastfeeding and what you can do about it. Sometimes there is more than one underlying reason for sore nipples, i.e. cracked nipple as well as a blocked duct.

1. Baby not properly latched on
2. Cracked nipple
3. Blocked duct

1.  Baby not properly latched on

When you are new to breastfeeding, it can be difficult to tell what a proper latch on should be like. Other complicating factors include engorgement, inverted nipples, or short nipples.  The best thing you can do to identify whether your baby has correctly latched on is to check with a lactation consultant, a supportive maternal-infant nurse, or another mother who is experienced in breastfeeding. Seek advice and help by having them check baby’s position and technique of latching on while baby is breastfeeding.

If your baby is latched on correctly, you will be able to tell by looking at how much of the dark part of your nipple is visible around the baby’s mouth. Ideally, it should be most of the areola, leaving only a thin ring of darker skin visible. Another way (although I didn’t find this particularly useful for me) is to check the shape of your nipple after a feeding. The nipple should be round when baby is finished eating. A flattened nipple is potentially a sign of an incorrect latch on.

To ensure your baby latches on your breast correctly, make sure that your baby’s mouth is open wide with the tongue down before putting your baby on the breast. If the baby is latched on incorrectly, break the seal by placing the tip of you little finger in the corner of baby’s mouth to break the seal and try latching on again.The most important factor in preventing sore nipples is being certain that your baby learns to latch on correctly.

2. Cracked nipple

This is usually an indication of poor breastfeeding technique.  It is usually caused by the baby suckling just the nipple — not taking enough of the areola into his mouth.Occasionally, if you baby has some unusual features in his mouth (such as tied tongue), the first symptom may be sore nipples.Getting someone experienced in breastfeeding to check will help you determine the exact cause if you aren’t sure.

The single most important step to correct the root of the problem is to be certain that your technique for breastfeeding is correct. To help your cracked nipples heal faster, applying a little breast milk onto the nipples after every feed can be helpful.You may wish to try an ointment specifically designed to promote healing of the breast tissue.

If nursing is too uncomfortable, try expressing the milk from the affected side until it heals sufficiently.You may try breastfeeding on the side that is not sore first, then nurse on the sore side second.Most babies usually suckle less vigorously on the second breast when they are not as hungry — which means it should hurt less.  Another option is to use nipple shields.A nipple shield is a plastic device that covers your nipples and provides a barrier against the friction of baby’s tongue on raw nipple.

3.   Blocked duct

A blocked duct is usually due to your baby not effectively emptying your breast of all the milk with each feeding.Baby is not drinking as much breast milk as you are making.  As a result, there is a backlog of breast milk along the milk ducts.The swelling and tenderness is caused by extra pressure from the remaining milk that seeps into areas near, but outside, the milk ducts.

If it is only on one side and the pain is very local, it is a blocked duct.If you have a hardened area in your breast, it is mostly like caused by a blocked milk duct.Aside from the tenderness you feel, the skin in the area is usually reddened and feels warm to the touch.Blocked ducts can appear similar to mastitis with the main difference being the absence of fever and the fact that usually only one side is affected.

Managing blocked ducts:

• Continuing to feed your baby frequently on the affected side even though it hurts is the fastest way to clear the blockage. This is also the most effective way to clear the blocked duct above and beyond all the other measures listed below. By feeding baby every one to two hours, you will likely feel relief from a blocked duct in less than a day .
• Varying your feeding positions will help empty the milk from the blocked ducts more effectively.
• If you find the pain intolerable, you may find it helpful to take a mild anti-inflammatory medicine (the American Academy of Pediatrics has approved ibuprofen as safe for breastfeeding moms).
• Expressing the breast milk with a breast pump or by hand, although I know of no breast pump that will be as effective as your baby.
• Applying warm or cold compresses directly onto your breast
• Warm baths
• Massages

The Baby Owner’s Manual (Owner’s and Instruction Manual)

Source for safe meds for nursing mothers

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