World Breastfeeding Week

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August 1st -7th is the World breastfeeding awareness week.The benefits of breastfeeding are indeed super beneficial to both mother and child. There are however some occurrences that make this super beneficial process very uncomfortable for some mothers. Chief of which is when the baby does not latch properly on the nipple and therefore causes intense pain for the breastfeeding mum and causes her to want to discontinue breastfeeding or endure excruciating pain.

Thing to do,especially for first time moms:learn to help tiny tot latch properly on the nipple so that pain is absent.

What causes the pain is :CRACKED NIPPLES. This occurs when the baby is not properly positioned at the breast and so baby sucks only on the tip of the nipple (this is experienced mainly by first time moms and by nursing moms with flat or inverted nipples)

See a doctor if nipples are red and shiny and have a white deposit. Also if there is a red tender deposit on the breast

Remedy to avoid a cracked nipple: mom should learn to position the baby appropriately during breastfeeding.this takes a little bit of practicing

Successful breastfeeding:
1)Hold baby with the head cradled in the crook of your hand, the bottom well supported and the baby's arm tucked around your body. Skin to skin contact is encouraged during breastfeeding
2)Stroke baby's cheek with a finger or with the nipple and when the baby's mouth opens wide and turns towards the nipple, then express some milk onto the nipple and this helps encourage baby to suckle.
3)Aim your nipple towards the roof of the baby's mouth,ensure that the nipple and most of the areola area is in the baby's mouth. When the baby closes the mouth it will form a tight seal.
4)If baby sucks only on the tip of the nipple,the baby is not getting milk and your nipple gets sore. The thing to do is ease the baby off the breast by gently inserting a finger into the corner of the mouth and then reposition the baby and try again.

FIRST AID FOR CRACKED NIPPLES
Normally cracked nipples should heal once baby and mother achieve great breastfeeding technique.
1)Feed baby on demand and offer nipple with the least sore first. Breathe deeply when baby latches on; a sore nipple has the most pains in the first few sucks 
2)For inverted or flat nipple, use a plastic nipple shield to help pull out nipples
3)Use lanolin or Vaseline ointment to help sore nipples heal
4)After each feeding, wash nipples with warm water and dry. Expose breasts to air whenever possible
5)Take analgesic for pains (paracetamol)

Feed baby for a minimum of 6 months on exclusive breast milk (if possible)

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