As soon as you start breastfeeding, you’ll notice a lot of changes in your body. Your breast size will normally fluctuate as your body begins the process of producing colostrum and mature milk after you have given birth. On the other hand, this could make you feel awkward and sensitive. If you start nursing, you will notice a natural decrease in the size of your breasts.
Initially, it will be challenging to adjust to these changes as well as the nature of nursing itself. If you are aware of what could go wrong, you will be better prepared to take care of your breasts and either avoid or deal with any complications that may arise.
Allow me to share with you my top five recommendations for breast care with all nursing mothers now that you are aware of how important it is to take care of your breasts throughout your pregnancy.
The following are five tips for breast care that the Mayo Clinic suggests every breastfeeding mother keep in mind.
1. Obtain the Ideal Breast Support.
When you are nursing, choosing the appropriate bra to wear is one of the simplest yet most essential things you can do for yourself. According to Healthine, as your pregnancy progresses, you will notice that your breasts are becoming increasingly full of milk. Your pre-pregnancy bras will continue to get smaller as your breasts grow larger.
It is essential that your bra has the right fit for you to enjoy both comfort and good health. Because of this, nursing bras have a significant amount of consumer demand. They are made specifically for breastfeeding, so that they can support your growing breast size while also ensuring that blood circulation is maintained in the sensitive breast tissue.
2. Hygiene.
There is no impact that nursing has on hygiene, which is an essential component of our every day lives. When breastfeeding, proper hygiene practices become significantly more important. This is due to the fact that becoming a nurse makes you more sensitive to illness.
Always make sure you wash your hands before you breastfeed or do anything else that involves touching your breast. It is not suggested that you use soap to clean your nipples because soap removes the skin’s natural oils and can cause dryness as well as itching. Instead, you should wash your breasts with warm water on a daily basis.
3. Ensure that you are Giving Appropriate Food.
Unexpectedly, the manner in which you feed your child can have an effect on the state of your breasts. If you give your infant breast milk in the correct manner, you will reduce your risk of developing certain breast problems. Mastism, engorgement, and aching nipples are a few of the symptoms that might be experienced.
According to WebMD, you can avoid these issues by ensuring that your infant latches on in the appropriate manner. At first, you won’t be able to do it perfectly, but as you practice, you’ll get better at it. Your child ought to be gnawing on a sizeable amount of your areola in addition to the totality of your nipple while they are teething. In addition to that, be sure that nursing is something that brings you joy.
4. Replace your nursing pads regularly.
Nursing pads are an excellent addition to a new mother’s supply kit, particularly if the new mother is always on the move. Think of them as being especially absorbent so that they can act as a barrier between your breasts and the layer of clothing that covers them. They perform a fantastic job of preventing leaks and letdowns in public restrooms and are highly recommended.
If you do want to use nursing pads, which is something that we strongly suggest you do, then you need to make sure that you replace them on a regular basis. As soon as they have completed their mission of soaking up any excess milk, the atmosphere, which is currently warm, wet, and sweet, transforms into a sanctuary for bacteria and yeast.
5. Don’t Forget to Get Regular Breast Exams.
Even after you’ve started nursing, you should still examine your breasts once a month. This is something you should keep in mind because it’s important. Breasts that are full with milk after breastfeeding will appear lumpier than they normally do; nevertheless, feeding, massage, and pumping will all help reduce the appearance of lumps.
During your examinations, be sure to take note of any lumps that still exist after a few days have passed. Make an appointment with your primary care physician to have a closer look at anything that doesn’t appear to be getting better or getting smaller over time.