Cradle Cap in Babies : Causes, Home remedies

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What is a cradle cap? Cradle the cap is nothing but white to yellow scales on the baby’s scalp that do not come off easily. These scales can be greasy or dry. You may notice this in the first 2-6 weeks of life. Causes of Cradle Cap : Maternal hormones from the mother cross the placenta and over stimulates the oil glands in the baby. Hence they release more oil than normal. Simultaneously, dead skin cells  can not be cleared off and they stick to the skin and form scale.  Symptoms of cradle cap:  Also called seborrheic dermatitis, it's caused in part by too much oil. It shows up as a scaly, waxy, red rash on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, the sides of the nose, or behind the ears. It might not be painful or itchy, but you can try few remedies.  Home remedies for cradle cap: It usually clears up within the first year.  If cradle the cap is not heavy and few scales are there, you can try to wash your...
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Cracked nipple : Cause, risk factors, symptoms , diagnosis, complications and remedies

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 Many lactating women complain that their nipple hurts when baby sucks on breast. It is very common especially in the first few minutes when the baby first latches onto the breast. However, nipples should not remain painful or bleed for long periods of time. If your nipple pain is severe or continuous or recurs then this may be caused by a faulty feeding technique and should be corrected.

Cracked nipple-nipple sore-Causes-risk factors-symptoms-diagnosis-complications-and-remedies-good-latching


Why do I feel pain while baby starts feeding on breast?

This is a symptom of sore or cracked nipple. This occurs mainly due to :

1.Faulty feeding technique : 

Faulty feeding technique like improper latching of baby on breast. When baby sucks on nipple only and don't take major portion of areola in mouth, nipple gets rubbed and pressed against hard palate of baby causing harm to nipple. Moreover when baby sucks on nipple he/she doesn't get enough milk supply and in effort to suck forcefully on nipple to get more milk, nipple gets cracks as nipple is a very sensitive and soft tissue of body.

2. Local infection :

Sometimes mother may feel pain due to local infection either fungal or bacterial.A yeast infection (also called thrush) is the most common type of infection that can occur on your nipples. Around your nipples there are large pores and hair follicles that can become clogged and infected causing nipple pain. fungal infections are more likely to occur in areas that are moist and dark where sweat collects, such as under the breasts.  

3. Dryness of nipple :

Excessive dryness at nipple due to habit of repeatedly washing nipple before breastfeeding can also cause cracked nipples.

4. Allergy :

Allergic reaction leads to local itching and dryness of nipple leading to nipple pain. Allergy can be due to :

  • Body lotion
  • Fabric softener
  • Fabrics
  • Laundry detergent
  • Perfume

 


What are the risk factors of sore nipple?

  • A big nipple size makes it difficult for baby to latch on breast properly causing nipple sucking 
  • First baby : If a women has become mother for first time she may find it difficult to hold baby properly and feed
  • Tongue tie : If baby is having tong tied to lower jaw he/she will not be able to take areola in mouth and will suck on nipple only
  • Low birth weight baby
  • Problems with latching on
  • Improper positioning
  • A poor let-down reflex in the mother
  • Inverted nipples
  • Babies sucking for comfort and falling asleep at the breast
  • Pulling the baby's mouth away from the breast without first breaking the suction

What are the symptoms of cracked nipple ?

  • Pain when baby starts sucking while breastfeeding
  • Visible cracks on nipple.These cracks are more common on upper border of nipple.
  • Bleeding through nipple

Diagnosis of sore nipple:

Cracked nipple problem diagnosis doesn't need any blood or advanced test,it is diagnosed clinically and on history only.Your baby's pediatrician will asses your breastfeeding technique to look for latching. Doctor will also do local examination to look for evidence of cracks and bleeding through nipple.

What are the complications of cracked nipple ?

  • Discomfort to mother :

As nipple is a very sensitive tissue cracks will cause severe pain to mother and sometimes so severe to cause sleep disturbances.

  • Discontinuation of breastfeeding :

In case pain is so severe, it can make breastfeeding impossible for mother.

  • Breast engorgement and breast abscess :

 Baby's sucking is the best milk extractor. If mother stops breastfeeding due to nipple pain, breast milk starts accumulating in breast. Breast engorgement causes severe pain in breast and sometimes can lead to breast abscess if gets secondary infection.

  • Decrease in milk output :

Normally as breast empties after breast feeding, it sends signals to brain for more milk production. In case of sore nipples as breasts doesn't empty totally, milk production and milk output decreases.

  • Lowers self esteem in mother :

As mother is not able to breastfeed baby properly she can sometimes feel low, depressed that she is unable to do her duty properly. Family support is very important in such cases.

  • Malnutrition in babies :

Breastmilk is the best nutrition for babies. Cracked nipples can make it difficult to continue breastfeeding and hence mothers shift to cows milk or bottle feeding which is inferior to breastfeeding.

What can I do for cracked nipples?

  • Latching :

Proper latching of baby on breast while breastfeeding is the key to prevent and also for treatment of cracked nipples. Good latching is very important for successful breastfeeding in a newborn baby. Many a times baby sucks on nipple only and couldn't get enough milk supply,moreover mother gets pain,cracked nipples due to nipple sucking.Due to this breastfeeding becomes difficult,mother's milk supply decreases and baby don't want to suck on breast as he/she doesn't get milk by sucking.

 Following are the signs of good attachment while breastfeeding:

  • Baby's mouth is wide open.
  • Baby's lower lip is everted.
  • Lower portion of areola (black part around nipple) is taken inside mouth by baby so that no areola visible on lower side and upper part of areola is visible.
  • Baby's head,neck and body is in same line.
  • Baby's abdomen is touching mother's abdomen

 



Cracked nipple-nipple sore-Causes-risk factors-symptoms-diagnosis-complications-and-remedies
Fig : Good latching

 

  • Application of hindmilk to nipple after breastfeeding :

Hindmilk is the milk which comes from base of breast and is rich in fats. Mothers having cracked nipples should apply this milk over nipples after breastfeeding is over. Avoid applying medicated ointments over nipple as baby can swallow it while breastfeeding. Mothers can express milk manually or can use breast pump for milk expression.

 

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  • Avoid repeated washing of nipple :

Some mothers have this habit of washing nipples before feeding the baby. This causes dryness of nipples as oily material gets washed by repeated washing. A single bath daily is sufficient to keep nipples clean and safe for breastfeeding.

  • Treatment of infection :

If cracked nipples are due to local fungal infection it needs to be treated. Consult your doctor and they will prescribe proper antifungal ointments for it.

  • Avoid use of tight bras :

Sometimes too tight bras or rough material of bra can cause discomfort to nipples. Avoid using such tight bras and also avoid applying perfume, powder over nipples.

 

 

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