Prevention Starts with the Right Grip
Breast care during breastfeeding is essential to prevent painful complications such as nipple cracks and mastitis. The first, and most important, step is to ensure a proper grip of the baby. When the baby latches onto the areola correctly, the pressure exerted during feeding is distributed more evenly, protecting the nipple. Conversely, a superficial grip concentrates pressure on the nipple, increasing the risk of friction, pain, and injury.
MaterClinic’s Prepartum and Postpartum Breastfeeding Consultation is a space dedicated to teaching, observing and correcting this technique, helping to ensure that breastfeeding is comfortable, effective and sustainable over time.
Healing solutions: the role of silver discs
If, despite care, cracks appear, early intervention is important. Silver discs (or silver nipples) are often used to aid healing. These devices create a controlled moist environment, which is associated with skin regeneration, and benefit from the antibacterial properties of silver and the constituents of breast milk itself that contribute to nipple regeneration.
Their use is simple: they are placed on the nipple between feedings. They do not require the application of creams and are considered safe for the baby, and it is not necessary to wash the breast before breastfeeding.
Frequent discomforts: engorgement and mastitis
Two of the situations that most compromise comfort during breastfeeding are breast engorgement and mastitis.
Engorgement
Engorgement occurs when the breast is not emptied effectively, or when the milk descends/ascends, becoming excessively full, tense and painful. Strategies such as gentle massage, frequent breastfeeding, and in some cases, expressing a small amount of milk before breastfeeding can help relieve discomfort.
Mastitis
Mastitis is characterized by localized pain, redness, increased breast temperature, and sometimes general symptoms such as fever or malaise. Treatment, in most situations, involves ensuring effective emptying of the breast and supportive measures. In many cases, it is not necessary to resort to antibiotics, but evaluation by a health professional is essential to guide the appropriate approach.
MaterClinic’s ongoing support
At Charneca da Caparica, MaterClinic provides Postpartum Home Support, allowing rapid intervention in situations of greater discomfort, such as severe pain or suspected mastitis. Our goal is to give you clarity, safety and practical tools to overcome these challenges, helping to turn breastfeeding into an experience of greater comfort and connection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I wash my breast before breastfeeding?
No. Excessive breast washing can remove the skin’s natural protection. When silver discs are used, it is also not necessary to wash the breast before offering it to the baby.
What should I do if I suspect mastitis?
You should seek medical support or a breastfeeding specialist as soon as possible. It is important to continue to empty the breast and follow the health professional’s advice, with the peace of mind of knowing that in most cases the situation is transient.
Do silver discs help prevent mastitis?
Indirectly, they can contribute to risk reduction by helping to prevent and heal cracks, which can act as a gateway for bacteria. However, it is important to be clear: there are no studies that directly prove that silver discs prevent mastitis.