If you have come across the horror stories of breastfeeding pain from a relative or a friend, you might be worried about it before it even happens. Tales of pain could make new moms think that breastfeeding will be a painful experience and it does discourage a lot of moms from nursing. You need to understand that these feelings are normal during breastfeeding and you will adjust along with your little one.
However, not all pain is normal and should be ignored. There are times when you need to seek medical advice if the pain is too much to handle. Read more to identify what is normal and what is not.
Normal discomfort when breastfeeding
Immediately after the delivery, it is normal to feel abdominal pain or cramping while you nurse. It happens due to the uterus shrinking back to its normal size. The pain can last from a few days to a couple of weeks after giving birth. Your breasts will toughen up soon and will get used to baby nursing.
It is also normal to feel some amount of discomfort when the baby latches on and pulls the nipple into his or her mouth. This discomfort will only last for about 40 seconds after latching.
Milk letdown
Once your baby starts to suck after latching on, this will trigger the body to let down the milk, and so many moms experience extreme, tingling pain for a couple of seconds during the letdown. This pain normally occurs in the upper breasts and will go away as breastfeeding progresses. Once the milk comes in, the breasts could become rock hard and it can become uncomfortable. As the baby nurses and the body figures out the amount of milk your baby needs, this discomfort will disappear.
Abnormal pain when breastfeeding
If you feel abnormal pain when breastfeeding, you need to visit a doctor at the earliest. Abnormal pain includes cracked or bleeding nipples, pain in the nipple that lasts longer than one minute after latching, red and hard lump in the breast with a fever and tender lumps in the breast.
Blocked ducts
Your body has milk ducts that are narrow tubes that carry milk from the glands to the nipple. When a duct is not fully drained, it can lead to blocking and can create a blocked duct. It can create lumps inside your breast. You will notice that the skin turns red in the area and the opening at the nipple could be blocked. It might appear like a white dot. Avoid frequent feeding from the breast that has blocked ducts.
Mastitis
An infection in the breast, mastitis can cause pain and redness. It can happen to anyone but it is common in women who breastfeed. The infection usually occurs within three months of giving birth. Mastitis does not cause the nipple to bleed; rather, it is the other way round. Damaged, cracked and bleeding nipples give an entry point for bacteria and it can lead to a mastitis infection. Symptoms of this infection include warm to touch, tenderness or breast pain, breast swelling or lump, a flu-like feeling, breast redness, burning when breastfeeding, chills and fever.
If you think that you have mastitis, you need to see a doctor. The majority cases are treated in 10 to 14 days and you will feel better within a couple of days. However, you need to take it easy for a week or so. The doctor might prescribe an antibiotic that is safe for breastfeeding and you can continue feeding. If there is an abscess near the nipple, you might have to get it drained. Pain relievers can help reduce swelling.
Thrush
If there is unbearable pain in the nipple, it might be caused due to thrush or a candida infection in your breast. It can happen when you have a cracked nipple and the fungus enters your breast or nipple. This infection can also develop in the mouth of your baby. Symptoms include excessive pain that lasts for a long time after feeding. If you have the infection, you need to check your baby and head to a doctor at the earliest. The symptoms of thrush in babies are a nappy rash that does not clear up easily and white patches or spots on the tongue, gums and lips.
Do not let the fear of pain discourage you from breastfeeding your baby. Breastfeeding is a natural and normal activity that every mother goes through. Learn to identify the type of pain you feel and if it remains consistent and is unbearable, you need to contact an expert. Do not overlook symptoms and signs.
Sources- Kidshealth, Whattoexpect, Healthline