Breast Care After Child Birth
Now that you are back from the hospital and family and friends have showered their blessings on the little darling, you must have found some time for yourself.
Nine months of that exciting wait and a couple of days more completely mesmerized at the bundle of joy sleeping and crying for milk - you've been through quite a strenuous journey.
For a couple of months you need to take extra care of yourself and your baby.
Let's talk about breast care.
Whether you've been breast feeding your baby or not, some changes will occur in your breast size and shape.
You might have started noticing the changes in breasts when you were pregnant but after childbirth, the milk formation makes your breasts swell.
Whereas some sagging is natural, a few useful tips will keep your breasts clean and firm.
DON'T LET EXCESS MILK COLLECT · Breastfeeding is the best option for new Moms to prevent milk congesting the ducts.
· Don't allow milk from getting collected in the breasts.
Squeeze your nipples and let out the excess milk.
Breast infection or mastitis is mostly caused due to collection of milk.
· If you haven't fed the baby for a long time, you'll notice swelling and hardness in the breasts.
There might be some embarrassing 'leakage' of breasts in which your nightgown or top might get wet.
In such cases, squeezing out excess milk after the baby has been fed is the best option.
· If your ducts are blocked, you should try to massage your breasts or apply a towel dipped in warm water.
But more than 10-12 hours of blockage is a signal to see your doctor for Mastitis or infection.
KEEP YOUR BREASTS CLEAN AND DRY · After every few hours, keep wiping off the nipples with a clean, moist cloth or paper towel.
This would ward off the tension of bacteria due to moisture in the breasts area.
· Remember not to use any scented soaps or lotions on your breasts, especially the nipples, since they cause dryness in the nipples.
PREVENT SORENESS · You might notice some soreness or redness in your nipples at first and it might hurt when the baby sucks.
Use a non-scented cream or Vaseline.
However, if the soreness stays for a longer period, then it is advisable to consult a doctor.
WEAR THE RIGHT SIZE OF BRA · Avoid plastic breast paddings as they tend to trap moisture.
· Always wear a bra that's neither too tight and nor too loose.
Avoid lacy or silken bras and go for a cotton one with more grip.
In fact, this goes on till you are feeding the baby.
· For heavy breast women, it is very important to choose the right bra whose strap doesn't form any marks otherwise you'll have nasty backaches · You could choose a nursing bra that is more comfortable to feed than regular bras.
· There are some women who prefer to bottle-feed the baby and bind their breasts with bandage.
They must remember to unwrap their bandage after every few hours for free flow of circulation.
ICE PACKS FOR PAIN OR SWELLING · You may use ice packs and place them over your bra for about 15-20 minutes.
Put the ice packs back into the freezer and reuse them after, say, 3-4 hours break.
· Alternatively, you may consult your doctor for medicine for easing the pain · While you are on medicines, don't stimulate the breasts.
So, take good care of your breasts and enjoy your motherhood to the hilt.
Nine months of that exciting wait and a couple of days more completely mesmerized at the bundle of joy sleeping and crying for milk - you've been through quite a strenuous journey.
For a couple of months you need to take extra care of yourself and your baby.
Let's talk about breast care.
Whether you've been breast feeding your baby or not, some changes will occur in your breast size and shape.
You might have started noticing the changes in breasts when you were pregnant but after childbirth, the milk formation makes your breasts swell.
Whereas some sagging is natural, a few useful tips will keep your breasts clean and firm.
DON'T LET EXCESS MILK COLLECT · Breastfeeding is the best option for new Moms to prevent milk congesting the ducts.
· Don't allow milk from getting collected in the breasts.
Squeeze your nipples and let out the excess milk.
Breast infection or mastitis is mostly caused due to collection of milk.
· If you haven't fed the baby for a long time, you'll notice swelling and hardness in the breasts.
There might be some embarrassing 'leakage' of breasts in which your nightgown or top might get wet.
In such cases, squeezing out excess milk after the baby has been fed is the best option.
· If your ducts are blocked, you should try to massage your breasts or apply a towel dipped in warm water.
But more than 10-12 hours of blockage is a signal to see your doctor for Mastitis or infection.
KEEP YOUR BREASTS CLEAN AND DRY · After every few hours, keep wiping off the nipples with a clean, moist cloth or paper towel.
This would ward off the tension of bacteria due to moisture in the breasts area.
· Remember not to use any scented soaps or lotions on your breasts, especially the nipples, since they cause dryness in the nipples.
PREVENT SORENESS · You might notice some soreness or redness in your nipples at first and it might hurt when the baby sucks.
Use a non-scented cream or Vaseline.
However, if the soreness stays for a longer period, then it is advisable to consult a doctor.
WEAR THE RIGHT SIZE OF BRA · Avoid plastic breast paddings as they tend to trap moisture.
· Always wear a bra that's neither too tight and nor too loose.
Avoid lacy or silken bras and go for a cotton one with more grip.
In fact, this goes on till you are feeding the baby.
· For heavy breast women, it is very important to choose the right bra whose strap doesn't form any marks otherwise you'll have nasty backaches · You could choose a nursing bra that is more comfortable to feed than regular bras.
· There are some women who prefer to bottle-feed the baby and bind their breasts with bandage.
They must remember to unwrap their bandage after every few hours for free flow of circulation.
ICE PACKS FOR PAIN OR SWELLING · You may use ice packs and place them over your bra for about 15-20 minutes.
Put the ice packs back into the freezer and reuse them after, say, 3-4 hours break.
· Alternatively, you may consult your doctor for medicine for easing the pain · While you are on medicines, don't stimulate the breasts.
So, take good care of your breasts and enjoy your motherhood to the hilt.
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