if breastfeeding with sore nipples

[GingerSue]

for a new mother who is starting to breastfeed, with

soft breasts, but sore nipples - how could I state the

nursing diagnosis?

The skin is not cracked.

[Cymy]

I'm just working on my most basic courses... but in this case I think something like "nursing-related nipple pain" would be most appropriate, wouldn't it? Or maybe it has to be worded more fancily? Maybe areolar pain? Although that doesn't indicate that the nipple itself is also painful. Based on personal experience of 3+ years breastfeeding with chronic pain due to bad latch, I might try to determine if the cause is improper latch by the baby.

[Halinja, BSN, RN]

If you're using Wilkinson, look up 'ineffective breastfeeding' on pg 52. Often sore nipples result from the infant latching incorrectly.

likely the related to would be knowledge deficit, as Momma may not know that the infant is latching incorrectly, thus hurting the nipples.

[NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN]

Catch all nursing dx:

Pain related to xyz as evidenced by abc.

Why make more work for yourself when NANDA has already done it for you?

[Gennaver, MSN]

for a new mother who is starting to breastfeed, with

soft breasts, but sore nipples - how could I state the

nursing diagnosis?

The skin is not cracked.

Hi,

Just finished my OB rotation, our lecture prof was a CNM and our clinical prof was also a Lactation consultant.

I would figure the sore nipples are due to improper positioning/breastfeeding technique and a need for education on breastfeeding, (as the previous poster mentioned also).

Gen

[GingerSue]

thanks

my book says primary causes of sore nipples are poor positioning and improper latch, so these have to be dealt with to prevent the soreness

[Roseyposey]

I don't know what your instructor expects, but mine wanted a certain number of Dx on each mom and baby when I did my OB rotation, and here you've got one for mom and one for baby. Mom has the pain and baby has the ineffective b/f - kill two birds with one stone.

[crissrn27, RN]

Hi ginger, wanted to add that usually sore nipples are caused by poor latch/postion, but I have had a few (very few) very fair, blond or redheads that would get sore nipples even with documented proper latch/postion, weight gain in infant, even with nipple sheild, most kept up and eventually developed, almost calus like areas and where able to nurse successfully. Thanks bf goddess, or whoever, that I never had sore nipples.....lol, doesn't look fun!

[GingerSue]

thanks again

just trying to figure out how to write the diagnosis/es

[SmilingBluEyes]

I was one of those redheads who got sore nipples each time I breastfed, despite proper latch. I just sucked it up for a couple days and the soreness did resolve. Some of us are just more sensitive than others, I guess.

[GingerSue]

so - the problem - is it pain? or sensitivity? or risk for tissue damage? or ineffective breastfeeding?

- the cause is - poor latch-on/poor position?

- the signs/symptoms - pain? blistering? scabbing?

{is pain the problem or the sign/symptom?}

[SmilingBluEyes]

YOU have to decide by assessing your patient. It could be any of the above. That is up to you to assess and then intervene appropriately.