HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Pain In Nipples And Reduced Lactation After Childbirth?

default
Posted on Fri, 18 Dec 2015
Question: Hello Doctor,

This is in regard of my wife. She recently delivered a healthy baby girl through C section on 11th November. Since last one day she is complaining pain in nipples and saying that enough milk is not coming and which is why the baby is crying so much.

Please can you suggest some medication which should increase the milk supply to the baby. Just to share with you she also took similar medication after our first child was born.

I have one more question, if it is suitable to give a Nestle lactogen to the baby in small quantities.

Kind Regards

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Steps detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Your child is not even one month old, it is wise to avoid giving formula powder ( Nestle Lactogen ) to such a young child.
In 90 % of cases, the milk supply is adequate, and the child might be crying for various other reasons.
The reasons maybe colic, lack of sleep, etc.
Small babies cry for various reasons.
If your baby is gaining weight properly ( as per paediatrician ) then breast milk supply is good enough.
Please check that the method of latching on is correct.
The baby might not be positioned well, or getting a good grip on the nipples, or the nipples maybe cracked / dry in winter.
Ask her to latch the baby every 2 hours, and for 20 minutes each time, not more and not less.
If the baby continues sucking for more than 20 minutes at a stretch, she is just taking in air, leading to more colic and crying.
She should have atleast 5 litres of water everyday, as lots of fluids will lead to more breast milk secretion.
Also, she should have lots of methi, spinach, coriander, jeera, buttermilk, protein.
I know it is very stressful taking care of a newborn child, so the mother should sleep when the child sleeps, thus getting enough rest.
The breast pain maybe because of engorged breasts, she should empty the breasts manually or using a pump, if the child has not sucked enough.
Check for dry / cracked nipples, if that is the case, then she can apply leftover breast milk / Lanolin cream to it.
Inspite of all these measures, if she feels there is not enough milk , then Satavarex powder / granules can be taken.
As a last resort, medications such as metoclopromide are given, but there is no need for that in my opinion straightaway.
First the other methods should be tried.
Lactogen or Nan Pro should be given only as per recommendation of the paediatrician.
All the best.
Please feel free to discuss further.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Aarti Abraham

OBGYN

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 6004 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Pain In Nipples And Reduced Lactation After Childbirth?

Brief Answer: Steps detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for trusting us with your health concern. Your child is not even one month old, it is wise to avoid giving formula powder ( Nestle Lactogen ) to such a young child. In 90 % of cases, the milk supply is adequate, and the child might be crying for various other reasons. The reasons maybe colic, lack of sleep, etc. Small babies cry for various reasons. If your baby is gaining weight properly ( as per paediatrician ) then breast milk supply is good enough. Please check that the method of latching on is correct. The baby might not be positioned well, or getting a good grip on the nipples, or the nipples maybe cracked / dry in winter. Ask her to latch the baby every 2 hours, and for 20 minutes each time, not more and not less. If the baby continues sucking for more than 20 minutes at a stretch, she is just taking in air, leading to more colic and crying. She should have atleast 5 litres of water everyday, as lots of fluids will lead to more breast milk secretion. Also, she should have lots of methi, spinach, coriander, jeera, buttermilk, protein. I know it is very stressful taking care of a newborn child, so the mother should sleep when the child sleeps, thus getting enough rest. The breast pain maybe because of engorged breasts, she should empty the breasts manually or using a pump, if the child has not sucked enough. Check for dry / cracked nipples, if that is the case, then she can apply leftover breast milk / Lanolin cream to it. Inspite of all these measures, if she feels there is not enough milk , then Satavarex powder / granules can be taken. As a last resort, medications such as metoclopromide are given, but there is no need for that in my opinion straightaway. First the other methods should be tried. Lactogen or Nan Pro should be given only as per recommendation of the paediatrician. All the best. Please feel free to discuss further.