Why are breastfeeding counselors often against breast pads?

Gathering a bag in the hospital, many expectant mothers rush to buy a breast pad. It is believed that this is one of the essentials for breastfeeding, the undoubted benefit of which does not need proof.

Undoubted advantages of breast pads

Without a doubt, if the lining on the chest did not carry with it a lot of advantages, no one used it. Let's recall its most important advantages:

• Nipple cracks Is hellish torment (read about nipple cracks) Especially if the child’s teeth are cut and he constantly “hangs” at your neckline. But even in the case of severe pain, the consultants do not recommend using the pads for a long time to avoid the baby’s addiction. The way out of this situation is the correct capture of the chest by the child;
• Flat nipples - This is not a diagnosis of breastfeeding. Yes, it’s not so convenient for your child, but after 5 minutes of feeding it is advisable to remove the pad and feed without it. During this time, the nipple will stretch and become a little more comfortable. But even if you do not have a lining, then flat nipples are not a reason to get upset! In fact, during feeding, the baby captures and stimulates the areola first of all! So after several attempts at applying with the help of an experienced consultant, you will be able to establish full breastfeeding without auxiliary devices (we read how to properly feed and apply the baby to the chest);
• More milk with minimal effort. from the side of the newborn - this is a definite plus if you have a premature or sluggish baby. The presence of a solid object in the infant's mouth stimulates him to a more zealous and longer sucking. And thanks to the lining, more milk is released from you than it would be without it. So that the child receives more milk, spending less effort;
• Weaning and chest training with a lining - This is a fairly simple option for switching from bottle feeding to breast sucking. But experts still recommend to be patient and to establish the process without the use of additional devices. In any case, the linings should not be used on a long-term basis, this is a temporary measure. We also read: how to teach a baby to breast after a bottle.

Such significant advantages and conveniences of breastfeeding pads for breastfeeding seem to outweigh any disadvantages. Is it so? Why then do the consultants believe that they are harmful and not beneficial?

Cons breast pads

Our review would not be complete and could not answer the main question if we do not touch on the disadvantages of using such an additional device:

• Incorrect breast stimulation due to lining may lead to early termination of breastfeeding due to lack of milk.Regular use of the lining leads to a deterioration in lactation by almost 50%! We also read: how to restore laclacy (10 basic recommendations);
• Wrong capture the baby’s nipple, due to the prolonged use of the lining, which he quickly gets used to, greatly complicates the process of establishing proper breast sucking by the baby and the baby will have to be re-taught to properly suckle the breast;
• Requires special care (sterilization) before each feeding. This is especially inconvenient if you are feeding every hour or more often. If not sterilized, then it is possible to introduce an infection into the baby's body;
• Provoke excessive burping, since in the process of feeding with a pad the baby swallows much more air. We also read about regurgitation;
• The likelihood of lactostasis is increased. due to the fact that the breast does not always have a uniform emptying. Besides milk may leak but not reach the baby in the mouth in full. We also read: all about lactostasis;
• They do not eat you, but chewtherefore, when you try to return to natural breastfeeding without additional devices after prolonged use of the lining, the baby continues to chew on the chest. Retraining for sucking is possible, but it takes time and effort. In addition, it will be accompanied by pain;
• Nipple instead of breast - The so-called consultants for breastfeeding breast pad. De facto, the baby does not contact the skin of the mother, and this, in turn, disrupts the contact between the child and the mother. This can trigger a rejection of the breast.

Given all the above disadvantages, I think you will agree that a breast pad is really best used only as a temporary measure. In this case, it is better to carry out additional stimulation of lactation (decantationmore frequent attachments teas) and closely monitor the weight gain of the baby.

We read in detail: Breast pads for feeding: pros and cons of using linings

Mommy reviews from forums

Hello. Bad nipples do not exist. It is unfortunate that the doctor did not show you the technique of applying to the chest with problematic nipples. Although there are mothers who have not encountered the “side effects” of using linings, linings still carry risks that are best avoided.

The need to suck mother’s breasts not directly, but through this device often forces the child to suck in more and compress the jaw more - this affects feeding, when the lining is removed.
When using insufficiently thin linings, the feeds become longer, the breasts can be stimulated worse, and milk will be produced less. Against this background, the development of lactostasis is likely.
In your case, the child is already used to sucking the breast precisely in the patch, and when you remove it, he does not understand what is required of him and does not take it.
If you plan to feed the baby for a long time, you want to make the process as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for yourself and the baby, then you should think about the gradual withdrawal from feeding through the lining, prompting the baby to take breasts.

Here are the principles of avoiding feeding through the pad (From the book of Irina Ryukhova: “How to give your baby health. We breastfeed”):
”1. Offer the breast without lining to a baby who is falling asleep or has just woken up, usually at this time the baby just wants to suck, not fixing how and what;
2. At other times, try to remove the pad during feeding, when the baby has already abated the first hunger, and quickly offer a chest;
3. If the first two moves work, but not every time, you can try to put a small piece of clean cloth in the pad to make it difficult to drain the milk. Then the child quickly realizes that it is easier to suck milk from the breast without lining.
4. Some mothers gradually cut pieces from the center of the artificial nipple on the pad. To do this, the plate is turned inside out and the tip is cut off each time with a larger diameter.
But be careful !!!!! This method may not be suitable for silicone linings, because sometimes sharp edges remain on the trimmed linings, be sure to check this !!! ”

So I almost ruined the hot water with these overlays, but I was able to remove them in time and set up the hot water. I cleaned them from a sleepy child, gave them with them, and when he fell asleep, I simply pulled off the pad. The nipple was already elongated, in milk and the baby was taking breasts. Then, in general, she gave sleepy without an overlay, gradually weaned them from them.

I would these advisers .... also ruined the GW on them. Wean urgently, and then later you will be with overlays and a breast pump, have patience, read about proper attachment to the chest and for a couple of days, fix it. And milk will be longer and life easier. And to the lining advisers, my complete censure and unflattering reviews of their competence !!!! It is much easier to say “buy pads” than to explain to a mom whose child is screaming from hunger HOW TO APPLY TO THE BREAST correctly !!!

How do you feel about breast pads? Are such possible consequences of their use scary?