Causes of pain during breastfeeding

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The birth of a baby is a wonderful period in a woman's life. But the joy of communicating with the baby can overshadow some troubles. Young mothers note pain that occurs in the mammary glands. Many have chest pains with breastfeeding, both before and after feeding.

By nature and duration, the pain is pulling, piercing, short-term, constant and dull. To diagnose the pathology that caused discomfort, you need to visit a gynecologist. A speedy recovery depends on a timely visit to a specialist.

What is the cause of chest pain

In gynecology, there are several reasons why pain occurs. Some of them are associated with changes in the body after childbirth. Others are more dangerous pathologies that require specific treatment.

Physiological pain during breastfeeding includes:

intense flow of milk during feeding;
improper grip on the breast by the child;
production of oxytocin;
feeding according to the regimen;
hyperlactation.

Among the pathologies that cause pain, there are:

lactostasis;
mastitis;
cracked nipples;
cystic inflammation of the breast;
candidiasis of the thoracic ducts;
the presence of malignant tumors in the gland.

Symptoms of physiological pain in the breast

If a woman experiences pain during breastfeeding, the symptoms should be analyzed and the cause identified as soon as possible. In some cases, the intervention of a doctor is not required.

Rush of milk

If the chest hurts during breastfeeding the first weeks after childbirth, while there are no seals and formations, this is a physiological process. During this period, there is an intense flow of milk to the glands. Soreness is associated with the expansion of the ducts of the glands. Mothers notice that the child does not have time to swallow milk, which spurts from the chest. After 1-2 minutes, everything falls into place: the pressure in the ducts drops, the baby sucks calmly, the pain in the chest subsides.

Incorrect latch on the nipple

Many new mothers do not properly attach the baby to the breast. Such actions lead to cracks in the delicate skin of the nipples and squeezing of the ducts near the areola. As a result, there is a pulling pain during breastfeeding. To avoid this trouble, the mother must ensure that the baby captures the breast correctly. The baby's lips should be turned out a little, and the nipple, along with the areola, is captured by the baby's mouth.

Production of oxytocin

In the first weeks after childbirth, the uterus returns to its usual size. Its rapid reduction is facilitated by the production of a hormone - oxytocin. An intense release of the hormone occurs at the time of breastfeeding. In this case, the woman experiences aching pain not only in the chest, but also in the lower abdomen. Unpleasant sensations will pass as soon as the uterus contracts to the proper size. This usually happens 1-1.5 months after birth.

Feeding according to the regimen

Many pediatricians recommend adhering to a strict feeding regimen. As a rule, such actions lead to overflow of the thoracic ducts with milk and stagnation in the glands. The chest becomes stone, painful. Relief comes with feeding or pumping.

Hyperlactation

All processes in the body are controlled by the brain. Since the body does not yet know how much milk is needed to satisfy the baby's hunger, it tries to produce it in excess. Closer to 3 months of a child's life, lactation will become mature and there will be the amount of milk that is necessary to meet the needs of the crumbs. Accordingly, the pain will disappear with time.

Symptoms of pathological pain during breastfeeding

You should be concerned if the mammary gland hurts during breastfeeding, and the following are added to the discomfort:

increase in body temperature;
aches, chills;
redness of the breast;
bloody discharge from the ducts;
the presence of cones and seals in the chest;
an increase in one breast in size in relation to the other.

Such symptoms indicate the presence of pathological foci of infection in the gland or neoplasms.

lactostasis

This problem is most common in breastfeeding women. In simple terms, this is a blockage of the milk ducts, as a result of insufficient emptying of the breast. Occurs in the first month after childbirth. Intensive milk production leads to the fact that the child does not completely empty the breast. Milk stagnates, bacteria multiply in the ducts, which cause inflammation.

The disease progresses with lightning speed. Symptoms come on suddenly:

a sharp rise in body temperature up to 40 ° C;
chest pain when touching and feeding;
redness of the area of the affected gland;
excretion of breast milk in drops;
enlargement of the diseased breast in size.

With rational treatment, the symptoms disappear after 3-4 days, and lactation returns to normal.

Mastitis

This is an inflammatory disease of the mammary glands, characterized by the development of an abscess. Milk from the breast is excreted with impurities of pus and blood. With this pathology, surgical excision of the affected gland is indicated.

Mastitis occurs when:

hypothermia;
trauma;
penetration of infection into the gland through microtraumas on the nipple.

Mastitis may be the result of advanced lactostasis.

Cracks in the nipples

The problem occurs in the following cases:

improper attachment of the child to the breast;
insufficient or excessive hygiene care;
improperly fitted bra;
improper pumping (pressure on the nipple).

As a rule, with cracks, the mammary gland hurts during breastfeeding. The saliva of the child irritates the delicate skin, which is accompanied by pain. Cracks are dangerous because infection penetrates through the affected skin, which leads to serious diseases, such as mastitis and candidiasis of the mammary glands.

Candidiasis

With candidiasis (thrush), a woman experiences itching, burning and pain when feeding. Fungal infection and bacteria (staphylococci) penetrate the skin through cracks. The danger of the disease lies in the fact that a woman transmits candidiasis to a child during feeding. It is more difficult to treat a baby with thrush. A fungal disease affects the baby's oral cavity. The result is breast rejection due to discomfort.

cystic inflammation

Feeding may be accompanied by pain in the presence of benign cysts in the woman's breast. The size of the formation can be from a few millimeters to tens of centimeters. The exact size of the cyst is diagnosed by ultrasound examination of the mammary glands. Education causes pain and a feeling of fullness when feeding. This is due to the fact that squeezing of blood vessels and milk ducts occurs. A woman can detect a large cyst on her own. Lying on your back with your hand raised up, each section of the gland is examined by palpation. If you find seals or bumps, you should contact your gynecologist.

breast cancer

In the presence of a malignant formation, feeding causes pain, and blood is secreted from the glands. The main thing is not to panic. In the early stages, the disease can be successfully treated.

How to get rid of pain while breastfeeding

For pain of a physiological nature, specific treatment is not required. In due time, the body will return to normal, lactation will be established and the pain will pass. If the pain is caused by the pathology of the mammary glands, you should immediately consult a specialist.

With lactostasis, treatment is indicated aimed at eliminating stagnation of milk and relieving inflammation. It includes:

taking penicillin antibiotics;
massage with camphor oil;
warm shower;
antipyretic drugs;
frequent pumping of the affected breast.

Mastitis requires surgery. An abscess is removed along with the affected gland. If there are no purulent impurities in the milk, doctors prescribe conservative treatment, mainly antibiotics.

You can get rid of cracks with ointments containing panthenol and sea buckthorn oil. Regular breast care for a nursing woman is the best remedy for cracks.

Breast cysts require observation. With intensive growth, surgical treatment is indicated.

Candidiasis or thrush is treated with antifungal drugs. As a rule, Kandit ointment or Clotrimazole is prescribed.

If a woman has a malignant tumor, a rational treatment is prescribed by an oncologist.

Preventive actions

To avoid breast problems while breastfeeding, it is important to follow simple rules:

Follow the rules of hygiene - take a shower 1-2 times a day.
Inspect nipples daily for microtrauma.
Feed your baby on demand.
Adhere to the correct pumping technique.
Correctly apply the baby to the breast.
Avoid hypothermia.
Give the child a second breast only after the first is completely empty.
Regularly palpate the chest for lumps.
Have an annual check-up with specialists.

Pain during feeding can occur for various reasons. Even the most harmless cracks in the nipples can lead to the development of serious pathologies. It is better to once again consult a specialist and prevent possible diseases.

Breast milk is essential for your baby to develop fully. No adapted formulas can replace the value of mother's milk. Try to feed your child as long as possible, but do not forget about your own health.