Care of your breasts after breastfeeding

Take good care of your breast after breastfeeding: they are going to be working quite hard for the next few months. The greatest step is to buy yourself a couple of the best maternity bras that you can afford. Ask the assistant to measure you and make sure that the bra gives you enough support both below your breasts and on your shoulders. The drop- front kind is excellent because it makes feeding quick, convenient and hygienic and your breasts are never left to sag. Towards the end of the beginning week when lactation becomes well established, your breasts after pregnancy may become full breasts size, sore, tender to the touch and quite hard because there is so much milk. A good bra will minimize discomfort: so will expressing.

Recommended Reading: when to start pumping breast milk.

Care of your breasts after breastfeeding

Pay attention to the daily hygiene of your breasts and nipples. Wash them every day with water – don’t use soap because it is drying to the skin and can aggravate a sore or cracked nipple. Always handle your breasts carefully: pat them dry gently after both feeding and washing. Leave your nipples open to the air whenever you can: still wear your bra for support, but leave the front flaps down.

Once the milk actually starts to flow it may leak out quite a lot during the day.Put breast pads or clean handkerchiefs inside your bra to soak up the leaking milk. Change the pad frequently for cleanliness.

How to get your breasts back after breastfeeding

While there are no muscles in the nipples themselves, exercise can help keep them in good shape. By shortening the connecting fibres that attach your breasts to your chest muscles, you draw them up and maintain their firmness. The following “top-lift” exercise is most beneficial once you’ve weaned your baby, but you can use it, too, once breastfeeding is well established. You can do the exercise either sit or standing. Raise your arms to shoulder level; grasp the left forearm with your right hand and vice versa, and simultaneously, press and push with each hand towards the elbow with a jerky movement. Repeat for as long as feels comfortable. Do the exercise for a minimum of six weeks for the best results.

If you can, avoid all drugs when breastfeeding; many medications pass into the breast milk and can affect your baby. If you are already taking medications, or if you see your doctor for any new problem, make certain he knows that you are breastfeeding.

Care of your breasts after breastfeeding: Breast pain after breastfeeding

BREAST PROBLEMS
Problem breasts types	Prevention	Cure
Cracked nipples Shooting pain when the baby suckles.	Feed little and often in the first few days. Keep the nipples dry by using disposable breast pads or clean hankies.	Keep feeding if at all possible. If necessary, express the milk by hand (not by pump), and feed the baby by bottle or by spoon.
Engorgement Extremely full and painful breasts with a swollen areola.	Feed your baby frequently and try to encourage him to empty your breasts regularly.	Have a hot bath and gently express some milk, or encourage it to flow by massaging towards the nipple.
Blocked duct A hard red patch on the outside of the breast where the duct lies. This can often occur as a result of engorgement or when your bra or clothes are too tight.	As for engorgement. Wear a properly fitting bra and keep feeding the baby in different positions throughout the day.	Frequent feeding, offering the breast with the blocked duct first so that it is properly emptied. Express the breast if necessary.
Mastitis Acute infection of the milk duct resulting in a pus- filled lump.	As for a blocked duct.	Antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. If this fails it will have to be drained surgically. You can, however, continue to feed, even if you need an operation.
Breast abcesses This infection, which results from an untreated blocked duct, can make you feel feverish; you may have a shiny red patch on your breast.	As for a blocked duct.	As for a blocked duct, although you will probably be prescribed antibiotics by your doctor. Unless instructed otherwise, you can continue to feed your baby from the affected breast.

 

Care of your breasts after breastfeeding