Related articles: Breast crevices
Definition
Breast fissures are small fissures that form on the nipple or on the surrounding areola.
These cuts can appear during breastfeeding (especially in the first few days and in the primiparae) and indicate the wrong posture of the newborn when it attaches to the maternal breast or a too prolonged duration of breastfeeding.
Breast fissures can cause temporary discomfort and disappear spontaneously after a few days; or they can get worse until they bleed, causing quite intense pain, especially during the baby's suction. In some cases, these injuries increase the risk of infections and mastitis.
The factors that can predispose to the development of breast fissures include some anatomical features of the mother, such as the introflexed nipples, or of the child, such as the lingual frenulum too short. In the latter case, the nipple continuously rubs on the palate of the infant, rather than remaining fixed at the bottom of the palate itself.
To prevent fissures, the correct position of the child must allow it to attach itself to the nipple by taking the entire areola in the mouth, not just the extremity, because incorrect sucking can cause fissures. Moreover, the duration of the feedings must not exceed 15 minutes per nipple and these must be strictly alternated; this allows the skin to resist, without encountering inflammation or injury.
Possible causes * of breast fissures
- Pregnancy
