Hormones stimulate the development of milk producing tissues in breasts during pregnancy. Breasts start becoming fuller and heavier as your delivery date approaches. It's absolutely normal for all pregnant women to notice leaking of Colostrum(early milk) from nipples as the final date gets closer.
Hormones stimulate breasts to start producing milk normally with 2 to 4 days after childbirth and you start experiencing engorgement. The more frequent you breastfeed your baby the faster becomes the pace of milk production.
Breast care after childbirth may be divided into two types (i) Breast Care After Normal(Vaginal Birth) and (ii) Breast Care After Cesarean Birth
Breast Care After Normal(Vaginal Birth)
If you are breast feeding your baby, the first thing you need is a quality nursing bra that provides good support. The ideal one is that lifts the boobs upward and is comfortable. The breasts become heavily swollen with pressure of milk when you first start feeding your baby.
If you are breast feeding your baby, the first thing you need is a quality nursing bra that provides good support. The ideal one is that lifts the boobs upward and is comfortable. The breasts become heavily swollen with pressure of milk when you first start feeding your baby.
The swelling disappears after about 2 weeks but its size remains unchanged as long as the new born is fed. You may need more than one nursing bra to facilitate regular washing and prevent infection and skin disorders. Wearing underwear can cut off the milk ducts and cause sore.
Cleanliness is of utmost importance and is essential to prevent bacteria that enters through the nipples and cause serious infection. You are forced to keep away from feeding the baby in case of infection.
If you are planning to abstain from breast feeding and practise bottle feeding for your newborn, wear a support bra round the clock and try to keep your boobs clean and dry as much as possible. Having a number of bras is essential to do this.
Wearing a breast binder or tight bra helps reduce milk production. Remember doing this is against nature and you run the risk of losing the joy of breast feeding that makes a strong bond between the mother and the child. All researchers agree that breast milk is the best food for the newborn.
Breast Care After Cesarean Birth
Some pregnant women prefer giving a cesarean birth to normal delivery out of a fear that a vaginal birth may impair their capacity for sexual pleasure and they will not be able to enjoy orgasm as before. Another factor that plays a psychological role is the fear of incontinence. It's true rate of incontinence among women who give normal(vaginal) birth is high about 16 to 20 percent during the first few months postpartum.
It should be known also that women who give birth via C Section also face this problem though the rate might be a little less about 10 percent.
If you are breast feeding your baby after giving a cesarean birth it's same as before. You should wear a quality nursing bra without underwear that provides comfortable support. You should have more than one in stock to help washing and maintain cleanliness. The breasts remain larger swollen during the first two weeks.
If you plan bottle feeding for your baby and avoid breast feeding you should wear a quality support bra round the clock even at the time of sleep. A breast binder or tight bra helps well to stop milk production. You may feel a bit pain or discomfort because of engorgement as your body produces milk but it is not being released.
Squeezing milk out to avoid discomfort will result in the production of more milk as the body miscalculates that you are breast feeding your baby. Instead use ice compress and tight bra - Tylenol also helps relieve the discomfort. This situation lasts about 3 to 4 days after birth.
As said earlier, cleanliness is very important to avoid infection through the nipples.
Nipple Care
Breastfeeding never hurts though there may be a bit tenderness during the first few days of breastfeeding. Sore nipples is usually caused by the baby not being positioned correctly, latched on or removed from the breast incorrectly.
Frequent breast feeding sessions during the early stages of breastfeeding may irritate your nipples, cause soreness and pain. Soon nipples will get over this problem and become used to it.
Clean your breasts and nipples before and after every feed with clean water avoiding use of any soap, disinfectants or any substance as it may cause dryness and damage the nipple. Your nipples are protected against bacteria and dryness naturally as the Montgomery glands surrounding the nipple, secrete natural lubricates to keep you safe.
If the problem of sore and cracked nipples is persistent and causes real pain and utmost discomfort, then a consultation with a lactation consultant is advisable. If express of milk and breastfeeding is avoided due to pain or discomfort, the situation may lead to engorgement and may cause more pain. A lactation expert may show you how to use breast pump, hand expression or other alternative method to avoid this situation.
The problem of soreness and cracked nipples may also be tackled with nipple cream or modified lanolin after the breast milk spread over the nipples have dried. It must be wiped off before feeding the baby.
Breast Care After Cesarean Birth
Some pregnant women prefer giving a cesarean birth to normal delivery out of a fear that a vaginal birth may impair their capacity for sexual pleasure and they will not be able to enjoy orgasm as before. Another factor that plays a psychological role is the fear of incontinence. It's true rate of incontinence among women who give normal(vaginal) birth is high about 16 to 20 percent during the first few months postpartum.
It should be known also that women who give birth via C Section also face this problem though the rate might be a little less about 10 percent.
If you are breast feeding your baby after giving a cesarean birth it's same as before. You should wear a quality nursing bra without underwear that provides comfortable support. You should have more than one in stock to help washing and maintain cleanliness. The breasts remain larger swollen during the first two weeks.
If you plan bottle feeding for your baby and avoid breast feeding you should wear a quality support bra round the clock even at the time of sleep. A breast binder or tight bra helps well to stop milk production. You may feel a bit pain or discomfort because of engorgement as your body produces milk but it is not being released.
Squeezing milk out to avoid discomfort will result in the production of more milk as the body miscalculates that you are breast feeding your baby. Instead use ice compress and tight bra - Tylenol also helps relieve the discomfort. This situation lasts about 3 to 4 days after birth.
As said earlier, cleanliness is very important to avoid infection through the nipples.
Nipple Care
Breastfeeding never hurts though there may be a bit tenderness during the first few days of breastfeeding. Sore nipples is usually caused by the baby not being positioned correctly, latched on or removed from the breast incorrectly.
Frequent breast feeding sessions during the early stages of breastfeeding may irritate your nipples, cause soreness and pain. Soon nipples will get over this problem and become used to it.
Clean your breasts and nipples before and after every feed with clean water avoiding use of any soap, disinfectants or any substance as it may cause dryness and damage the nipple. Your nipples are protected against bacteria and dryness naturally as the Montgomery glands surrounding the nipple, secrete natural lubricates to keep you safe.
If the problem of sore and cracked nipples is persistent and causes real pain and utmost discomfort, then a consultation with a lactation consultant is advisable. If express of milk and breastfeeding is avoided due to pain or discomfort, the situation may lead to engorgement and may cause more pain. A lactation expert may show you how to use breast pump, hand expression or other alternative method to avoid this situation.
The problem of soreness and cracked nipples may also be tackled with nipple cream or modified lanolin after the breast milk spread over the nipples have dried. It must be wiped off before feeding the baby.
- Wash breasts and nipples well with clean water without soap and disinfectant at least once a day
- Wash hands before every feed to avoid infection
- Express a little milk after feeding the baby and apply it on the nipples and areola to prevent dryness naturally
- Leave the flaps down on nursing bra to allow the nipples air dry for 10 to 15 minutes after each feed
- Ensure proper position and latching to avoid sore nipples, seek help of a lactation consultant if necessary
- If you produce milk more than what your baby needs, squeeze it out with breast pump or hand pressure to prevent engorgement and pain
- Be in the habit of changing nursing bra and pad when they are wet and moist as germs and bacteria grow quickly in wet and moist parts
0 comments:
Post a Comment