How to deal with cracked nipples during breastfeeding

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

When nipple cracking has already occurred, breastfeeding mothers should pay more attention to protecting and maintaining local hygiene to avoid infection and inflammation. First, rinse the cracked nipple area with warm water, then apply 10% cod liver oil bismuth ointment, or compound benzoin tincture, or grind equal parts of the Chinese herbal medicine Huangbai and Baizhi into a powder, mix it with sesame oil or honey, and apply it to the affected area. Before breastfeeding, clean the medication and protect the nipple with a nipple shield or sterilized gauze.