Breastfeeding and Self Care
It is normal to have some problems when you start to breastfeed your new baby. But there are things that you can do to take care of yourself and help prevent many common problems.
This includes keeping your breasts healthy and making sure that your baby’s mouth attaches (latches) properly to your nipple for feedings.
Work with your doctor or breastfeeding specialist (lactation consultant) to find what works best for you.
Follow these instructions at home:
Breastfeeding strategy
- Always make sure that your baby latches properly to breastfeed.
- Make sure that your baby is in a proper position. Try different breastfeeding positions to find one that works best for you and your baby.
- Breastfeed when you feel like you need to make your breasts less full or when your baby shows signs of hunger. This is called “breastfeeding on demand.”
- Do notdelay feedings.
- Try to relax when it is time to feed your baby. This helps your body release milk from your breast.
To help increase milk flow:
- Remove a small amount of milk from your breast right before breastfeeding. Do this using a pump or by squeezing with your hand.
- Apply warm, moist heat to your breast right before feeding. You can do this in the shower or with hand towels soaked with warm water.
- Massage your breast right before or during feeding.
Breast care
- To
help your breasts stay healthy and keep them from getting too dry:
- Avoid using soap on your nipples.
- Let your nipples air-dry for 3–4 minutes after each feeding.
- Use only cotton bra pads to soak up breast milk that leaks. Be sure to change the pads if they become soaked with milk. If you use bra pads that can be thrown away, change them often.
- Put some lanolin on your nipples after breastfeeding. Pure lanolin does not need to be washed off your nipple before you feed your baby again. Pure lanolin is not harmful to your baby.
- Rub
some breast milk into your nipples:
- Use your hand to squeeze out a few drops of breast milk.
- Gently massage the milk into your nipples.
- Let your nipples air-dry.
- Wear
a supportive nursing bra. Avoid wearing:
- Tight clothing.
- Underwire bras or bras that put pressure on your breasts.
Use ice to help relieve pain or swelling of your breasts:
- Put ice in a plastic bag.
- Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
- Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
General instructions
- Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) pale yellow.
- Get plenty of rest. Sleep when your baby sleeps.
- Talk to your doctor or breastfeeding specialist before taking any herbal supplements.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have nipple pain.
- You have cracking or soreness in your nipples that lasts longer than 1 week.
- Your breasts are overfilled with milk (engorgement) and this lasts longer than 48 hours.
- You have a fever.
- You have pus-like fluid coming from your nipple.
- You have redness, a rash, swelling, itching, or burning on your breast.
- Your baby does not gain weight.
- Your baby loses weight.
Summary
- There are things that you can do to take care of yourself and help prevent many common breastfeeding problems.
- Always make sure that your baby’s mouth attaches (latches) to your nipple properly to breastfeed.
- Keep your nipples from getting too dry, drink plenty of fluid, and get plenty of rest.
- Feed on demand. Do notdelay feedings.
