Why do my nipples hurt during pregnancy?

The symptom we are considering is considered one of a number of those that indicate pregnancy. Why do pregnant women have sore nipples? Let's try to figure it out in more detail.

Changes that occur in a woman's hormonal balance after conception, an increase in the volume of the mammary glands, all these are the building blocks that gradually prepare a woman's body for bearing a fetus, childbirth and breastfeeding. During this period, the nipple tissues become more sensitive. And, consequently, painful, due to the fact that a more intense rush of blood occurs to them. This fact develops due to the active effect of the hormone prolactin. During this period, the breasts "fill up", increasing in size, and become denser. At the same time, nerve cells divide somewhat more slowly, so the growth of nerve endings lags behind the progress in the mammary glands, which causes pain in the pregnant woman.

At the same time, the increase in the volume of the mammary glands and the compaction of the tissues have a compressive effect on the nerve receptors and blood vessels invading the breasts, which also leads to the occurrence of pain.

Starting from the 5th to 6th week of gestation, the pregnant woman's nipple begins to change. It needs to become convex so that the newborn can easily grasp it with his mouth. During this period, the expectant mother may also feel the described discomfort.

During pregnancy, a woman may experience discharge from her breasts, which can become an irritant that causes itching, cracks in the nipple, and hence pain.

Excessive thoroughness in nipple sanitation can also lead to such cracks: wiping them with alcohol or using low-quality toilet soap with a high content of alkaline materials for washing. This leads to drying and cracking of the skin, increased irritability. This is mainly noticeable in the early stages; over time, the sensitivity of the nipples decreases.

During the prenatal period, painful symptoms may return. And the reason for this is colostrum, which begins to be produced little by little, preparing the breast for feeding the newborn. During this period, the woman's attention again switches to soreness and increased sensitivity of the nipples.

The reasons described above are directly related to the status of the pregnant woman and the associated changes that occur in her body.

But a possible cause of nipple pain may also be a disease. There are quite a few of them. Therefore, if a pregnant woman has even the slightest doubt about the naturalness of the process, she should tell her doctor about it. And no self-medication!

After childbirth, the cause of discomfort can also be feeding itself. This result is facilitated by:

• Incorrect feeding position. Either the woman or the newborn is in an uncomfortable position for feeding.
• The appearance of a baby's teeth can cause pain to a nursing mother.
• Changes in the baby's bite due to prolonged use of a pacifier or soother.

It is worth consulting with a doctor - a pediatrician or a health visitor.

There are other factors that can cause chest discomfort:

• Moving or flying with a change in climate zone.
• Meteopathy is an increased sensitivity to changes in weather.
• Cold.
• Stressful state.
• Improper body hygiene, selection of cosmetics, bath accessories and clothing.
• Contact with an allergen.
• Taking medications from a number of pharmacological groups.

Why do nipples hurt when breastfeeding?

The birth of a baby and the first application to the mother's breast is an epochal and touching moment, which can be overshadowed by the appearance of a painful sensation in the nipple. Why do nipples hurt when breastfeeding? This question interests many young mothers.

Mostly, such a result of the first meeting with your baby is due to the increased sensitivity of the skin of the nipple. But over time, quite quickly, the skin becomes rougher, and the pain during feeding goes away.

However, one should not delude oneself. The cause of pain may be different. And this fact should not be ignored:

• Quite often, young and inexperienced mothers do not correctly attach their baby to the breast for feeding. There are several options: incorrect position in the mother-baby relationship during feeding, violation of the baby's sucking technique due to the use of pacifiers and nipples.
• Improper care of the mammary glands during lactation.
  • Constant use of soap.
  • Alcohol sanitation.
  • Tight chest wrapping.
  • Tight clothing and underwear. Incorrectly fitted bra.
  • Hard bathroom accessories: washcloth, towel.
• Presence of damage to the skin on the nipple.
• Congenital abnormality of the nipple: very inverted or flat, which makes it difficult for the baby to latch on to it when feeding.
• The presence in the nursing mother's medical history of some disease that affects the condition of the female breast. For example:
  • Mastitis.
  • Lactostasis.
  • Nerve damage.
  • An infectious disease.
  • The presence of a neoplasm of any nature.
  • And others.