Treatment of nipple wounds during breastfeeding. Position of the Center for Lactation Science and the Polish Wound Management Association

Nipple soreness and wounds are a common problem during lactation, especially in the first weeks after birth.These issues are associated with an increased risk of mastitis, poor weight gain in the newborn, formula supplementation, and premature cessation of breastfeeding.Prevention and early diagnosis are fundamental tasks for medical staff caring for both the mother and infant.The most common cause is the baby latching onto the breast too shallowly.Therefore, improving the feeding technique is essential to prevent and treat nipple damage.With appropriate care, healing occurs quickly.However, in cases of hard-to-heal or infected nipple wounds, diagnostic and therapeutic measures should be taken immediately.The position paper from the Center for Lactation Science (CLS) and the Polish Wound Management Association (PWMA) outlines practical guidelines for treating nipple wounds during lactation, considering their specific differences compared to wounds of other etiologies and in different locations.This study discusses issues related to wound infection development, the TIMERS strategy, and detailed guidelines for lactation care, essential for optimal healing.The study proposes a classification of wounds into four categories: uninfected, at risk of infection, infected, and spreading infection from the wound to surrounding tissues.Each wound category includes appropriate therapeutic agents such as lavaseptics, antiseptics, and specialized dressings.The document also addresses indications for antibiotic therapy, the technique for taking a swab from the wound, and the most common errors in treating nipple wounds.The described principles of treating nipple wounds are based on global and Polish consensuses in wound treatment and the many years of unique experience of Polish lactation consultants.