How To Care For Your Breasts When You’re Breastfeeding
Your breasts may change a great deal during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or they may not change very much at all. Hormones that are released by your body while you’re pregnant trigger the milk-making tissue in your breasts to grow and begin producing breast milk. Then, after the birth of your child breast milk production kicks into gear and your breasts will start to fill up with breast milk. With all these changes, the question then is what can you do to care for your breasts while you’re breastfeeding?
Before getting into the basic steps, let’s hear what these women have to say about this. Take a listen
There really isn’t anything special you need to do for your breasts when you’re breastfeeding. As your breasts fill up with breast milk, you may notice breast engorgement, tenderness, tingling, and the leaking of breast milk. These are all normal experiences. So, the most important thing is to try to remain as comfortable as possible.
TIP ONE
Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands before touching your breasts. Keep your breasts and nipples clean by washing them each day with warm water in the shower or bath. Avoid using soap on your breasts since it can cause dry, cracked, and irritated skin. It can also remove the natural oils produced by the Montgomery glands located on the dark area surrounding your nipples. These oils help to keep the nipples and areola clean and moisturized.
TIP TWO
Wear a supportive bra. Choose a nursing bra or a regular bra that fits well but is not too tight. Cotton is an excellent choice of fabric since it allows your skin to breathe.
Make sure your baby is latching on correctly. Getting your child to latch on well from the first breastfeeding, and nursing very often at least every 2 to 3 hours can help prevent the development of painful breast problems such as sore nipples, breast engorgement, plugged milk ducts, and mastitis.
TIP THREE
Change your breast pads often. If you are using breast pads or cotton squares inside your bra to soak up the breast milk from leaking breasts, be sure to change them when they become wet. Clean, dry nursing pads can help to prevent sore nipples, thrush, or mastitis from occurring.
TIP FOUR
Moisturize your nipples with your breast milk. After nursing your baby, rub some of your breast milk on your nipples and areola then let them air dry.
