Breast pain in the breastfeeding period
Pain in the breast and nipple is a common symptom during breastfeeding. Particularly shortly after birth, breastfeeding often hurts despite the correct breastfeeding position because the nipple is still particularly sensitive and must first get used to the baby’s sucking. An incorrect breastfeeding position can also lead to immediate pain when breastfeeding.
In order for the child to drink effectively, a large part of the areola must also be placed in the mouth. If this does not happen, the nipple is pressed too hard and hurts. In addition, the nipple can be injured.
Therefore you should practice the correct positioning of the baby with an experienced person. The mammary gland can swell up considerably as a result of the milk injection. Some women find the increased pressure painful.
In addition, the milk is transported towards the nipple by means of tiny muscle contractions. This can be felt as painful. The causes of pain mentioned so far are usually temporary and are directly related to breastfeeding the child.
Long-lasting and recurring pain in the breast should be clarified and the mother should be advised by the midwife or doctor. Sometimes an anatomical cause is underlying. For example, a particular nipple shape can prevent effective drinking.
Nursing caps can help here, for example. Also a too short frenulum of the baby’s tongue can cause problems during breastfeeding. A milk congestion can also cause pain in the breast.
Regular emptying of the breast is advisable here. Bacterial or viral inflammation of the breast often occurs. In the case of so-called “mastitis“, bacteria get into the breast.
Redness, swelling and pain occur locally. It can also lead to fever, chills and aching limbs. A mastitis should be examined by a doctor and treated with antibiotics and regular breast emptying. This topic might also be of interest to you: Milk congestion and pain when breastfeeding
Do I have to use contraception while breastfeeding?
In non-nursing mothers, the period begins again after six to eight weeks after birth. During the breastfeeding period, ovulation is inhibited by the release of prolactin, so that bleeding can stop for several months. During this time, one is theoretically protected against a new pregnancy.
However, it is important to remember that the first ovulation and thus the possibility of pregnancy occurs before the first menstruation. For the so-called “lactation emenorrhea method” (LAM) to function safely, three important points must be observed. Firstly, the mother must not yet have had a menstrual bleeding (bleeding from the vagina from the 56th day after birth).
Secondly, the child must have been fully breastfed without interruption since birth, including at night (at least six times a day with a maximum of six hours’ rest). Thirdly, the infant must not be older than six months. If all these points are taken into account, the protection of conception is 98-99% and is therefore quite safe.If not every point can be affirmed, further contraceptive methods should be considered.
These include, for example, barrier protection such as condoms or a diaphragm or the insertion of a coil by the doctor. Not all preparations of an birth control pill should be taken when breastfeeding. It is best to discuss the further procedure with your gynaecologist before birth or at your first follow-up examination.
