How to prepare the breast for breast feeding

Sunday, November 15, 2015

How to Prepare the Breast for Breast Feeding

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for your baby. It contains exactly what your baby needs for nutrients, energy, and antibodies against illnesses. Your body will prepare your breasts for breastfeeding without you having to do very much. However, there are a few things that you can do to learn what to expect and get organized.

Part 1 of 2: Getting Ready to Breastfeed

Massage, but do not “rough up” your breasts . Massaging your breasts will help you relax and prepare you in case you need to manually express milk for the baby.

The massage should be gentle and not painful. Start at the above the breast and stroke with a circular motion while moving towards the nipple. Then move again to the outside of the breast in a different area and repeat, moving towards the nipple. Do this until you have moved around the entire breast.
Do not “rough up” your nipples by scrubbing them roughly with a towel. This will remove the natural oils that your breast produces and may make them sore.

Determine whether you have inverted nipples . Some women have inverted, or flat, nipples which appear to have an indentation in the middle. You can determine whether your nipples are inverted using the pinch test:

Pinch your breast between your thumb and forefinger on the dark area about an inch above and below the nipple.
If your nipple becomes erect, it is not inverted. If it retracts into the breast, it is inverted. Women may have one inverted and one protruding nipple.
The degree of inversion can vary from slight to severe.
Your doctor will also be able to tell you whether your nipples are inverted or flat.

Do not worry if you have inverted nipples . Many women with inverted nipples are able to successfully breastfeed without a problem. However, there are devices you can buy and techniques you can learn about to prepare in case your baby has trouble:

Push your nipples out with breast shells. Breast shells are plastic devices which press on your breast making the nipple pop out. You can prepare your breasts by wearing them before the birth and then after the birth for about 30 minutes before feeding time.
Use the Hoffman Technique to stretch your nipple and make it easier to pop out. Put both thumbs on either side of your nipple and press into your breast while also spreading your thumbs apart. Work your way around the nipple. Start doing it twice a day and work up to five times per day. Continue doing it after birth.
Use a breast pump to pull out your nipple right before feeding.
Try an Evert-It NippleEnhancer. This device uses suction to pull your nipple out.
Stimulate your nipples to make them erect before feeding. Massage them between your thumb and forefinger until they protrude. You can also, very briefly, apply a cold compress, but do not numb it. This will make milk less likely to flow.
As your baby latches on to drink, squeeze your breast or pull the skin back towards your chest. This will help the nipple protrude.
Try a nipple shield in consultation with a lactation specialist. This is worn over the breast and allows milk to flow through a hole to the baby. If the baby has difficulty gripping the breast in its mouth, the shield may help. But do not use it without professional help to make sure it is done properly.

Keep your breasts clean, but do not use harsh soaps . Washing your breasts in clear water will be sufficient to keep them clean.

Lotions and lubricants are not needed unless your nipples are very dry.
If you have psoriasis or eczema, talk to your doctor about what medications you can use while breastfeeding.
Wash your hands before breastfeeding or expressing milk.
Use a breast pump to induce lactation if you are an adoptive mother. Adoptive mothers can often breastfeed by stimulating their breasts to produce milk .

What do you mean ‘prepare for breastfeeding?’

Doesn’t your body just know your expecting and prepare on its own?

Technically yes! Of course. Your body is incredibly smart and will know to start making milk. However, you need to prepare yourself for the journey that is breastfeeding.

And there are certain ways you can make the transition from pregnant mama to breastfeeding mama.

You didn’t start driving your car without taking a lesson beforehand, did you?

Although we sometimes hope instinct will come in to play, being a new mom requires a lot of research and support. Before the internet, new moms had the help and support of other women, especially their own mothers to guide them.

This is just to say that you are SMART to seek help and be prepared. Being a mom isn’t a skill you’re born with, its something you have to learn and educate yourself.

How to Prepare For Breastfeeding While Pregnant

Take A Breastfeeding Class or Read A Book

Once you have the baby, you’ll probably have a nurse help you a bit breastfeeding your first couple of times.

However, your interaction with this nurse might be limited and they will be throwing words at you like ‘latch,’ ‘engorgement,’ or ‘colostrum.’

All words you’re likely unfamiliar with unless you’ve read a breastfeeding book or taken a class.

After labor, you are exhausted and not in the mindset to be learning a new skill. If your baby doesn’t latch on immediately, you don’t want to go into a panic.

Instead, when you’ve taken a class or read a book, you feel much calmer and have a couple of tips and tricks up your sleeve.

Talk To Moms Who’ve Gone Through It

Other moms are a huge source of knowledge!

Call up all your mom friends and pick their brain. Most will be happy to help a fellow mama on her journey.

Ask them simple questions about their experience breastfeeding and think about the advice they give you.

It’s especially great if you can find a mom who breastfeed recently as they will remember all the little details much better.

Get Your Home Ready For Breastfeeding

As your due date is quickly approaching, you’ll want to create a beautiful and calm nursing station for you and your baby.

It’s likely you’ll find yourself nursing anywhere at any time, but setting up a comfortable nursing station will benefit you greatly, especially during late night feedings.

A couple of items you’ll want are:

• A Mobile Diaper Caddy – so you may breastfeed anywhere
• Nipple Cream – for sore nipples
• Reusable Nursing Pads – will come in handy when your boobs leak, and they WILL leak
• Nursing Pillow – can use a regular pillow, but these are specially made for breastfeeding moms and they give extra support
• Burp Cloths

Keeping all your breastfeeding supplies in one place is a great way to easily and quickly transition from the hospital to the home.

Freeze Some Colostrum

Colostrum is the clear yellow liquid your breast produces for the first few days of a newborns life.

However, some moms find they are producing colostrum during the last few weeks of their pregnancy.

As colostrum is extremely nutritious and gets replaced by regular milk very quickly, if you’re lucky enough to be producing in the late stages of your pregnancy, make sure to pump some and freeze it!

Don’t expect a large amount, it’s going to be tiny drops that seem like nothing, however, the nutritional impact of freezing these tiny drops can be extensive.

Stock Up

One of the biggest mistakes breastfeeding moms make is not getting enough calories.

You don’t need to double your meals, but you should be listening to your body and feeding yourself accordingly.

Making sure you have a fridge full of food is a great way to encourage eating and snacking so you can ensure you are getting enough calories.

Consider starting a meal prep so you always have enough to eat and don’t grab junk food. A meal-prep only takes a couple of hours a week and has great benefits for you and by extension your baby.

Invest In Some Nursing Wear

A great excuse to do some online shopping. You’ll need a couple of supportive nursing bras for when your baby arrives.

I typically go braless at home, however, when your milk arrives, you will want support even while sleeping!

If you plan on breastfeeding in public (and I highly encourage you to) having these while out and about will also make your life easier.

The pressure these bras provide will help avoid leaking and provide support for your sensitive breasts.

Have an Honest Conversation With Your Partner

Once your baby arrives, you won’t have time for much. You’ll be lucky if you get to shower every other day.

You’ll want to have an open and honest conversation with your partner about your responsibilities when you bring the baby home.

If you think you’ll need some help around the home, this is the time to talk about it and perhaps even start looking for a maid or nanny to help out.

Any little bits of responsibilities your partner could help you with will be of tremendous help.

Also, knowing who will do what will save you headaches and fights down the road.

Get Your Free BreastPump

By law, insurance companies have to provide (or reimburse) pregnant mamas with a double electric breast pump.

Give your insurance company a call to check out how the process works since not all insurances offer the same steps.

Depending on the company the process can be any of the following:

• the insurance company will send you the breast pump in the mail
• they will provide a ‘prescription’ for a breast pump and will be given the breast pump at the hospital after labor
• they will ask you to purchase one and once you send in the receipt, reimburse you for your purchase

Mentally Prepare Yourself

Breastfeeding hurts! And it’s a job.

The first couple of weeks are going to be tough. Newborns eat every two hours and you’ll be lucky if your nips aren’t in complete pain by day three.

You need to be prepared for the realities that is breastfeeding. It’s hard work and there are days you won’t want to do it.

However, you will also probably come to cherish those moments. Your baby won’t be a baby forever, and breastfeeding is such an incredible way to bond with your child.

You are your babies source of nourishment.

Although it might be painful and hard (no one here is promising rainbow and sunshine), always remember how it is completely worth it.

Rest

Although you’re nesting and there are over 100 things you want to do, resting should be a high priority at this time.

Once the baby arrives, you’ll be lucky to get three straight hours of sleep at a time.

Be greedy with your time and get some sleep while you still can.

You will feel much better and have higher energy for labor and birth.

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Meredith Shur, MD, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a certified medical examiner.

There is a lot of focus on breastfeeding your baby these days due to the numerous physical benefits for the mother and baby or babies. What we know is that there are many women who would love to breastfeed but struggle. One of the reasons that many women struggle is the lack of preparation for breastfeeding.

This preparation falls into a couple of different categories:

Prenatal Education

Being ready for breastfeeding means that you understanding how breastfeeding works. This means that you need to learn some basic biology. You need to understand how milk is produced and delivered. You need to understand how your baby plays a part in the process. You need to know some basics about breastfeeding positions. You may even need to know about breast pumps and how they play a part in successful lactation for some women.

Support for Breastfeeding

You will want to know who to call should you have a problem. This is true for small problems and big problems. One thing I often tell pregnant women is that if you call about a small problem, you’re likely going to prevent a much larger problem. My motto is to call early and often. Support for breastfeeding goes way beyond just knowing to whom you should reach out to for help. You need to have daily support from your family and friends who are closest to you. This means that they may also benefit from breastfeeding education, but also a lesson in how to support a breastfeeding person. There are so many ways to bond with and help the baby that does not include breastfeeding. Be sure to have some ideas prepared to help your support persons feel close to the baby and not anxious about breastfeeding.

Here’s how to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding.

Get Your Nipples Checked

You may be concerned about how big or small your nipples are, this really has nothing to do with breastfeeding. What you do need to do is to have your nipples checked to see if they are flat or inverted. You can do a quick self-test for flat or inverted nipples.

Take your fingers and pinch just beyond the areola, the dark part of your breast. Does your nipple become erect and stand up? Does your nipple retract into your breast tissue? Or does your nipple stay flat? If your nipple does not become erect, you may have a problem with flat or inverted nipples. This is something that you can have your doctor or midwife help screen for at your next prenatal visit. This will not inhibit your ability to breastfeed but may require some special assistance as you and your baby learn to nurse those early days.

Get Screened for Hypoplastic Breasts

Hypoplasia or insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) is something that many people don’t notice until their baby is already born. When they try to breastfeed, they figure out there is a problem when the baby is not gaining weight. While this is a rare condition, there are some warning signs that you can look for before giving birth. If you have any of these symptoms, you may want to ask your doctor or midwife to screen your breasts for IGT: breasts that are significantly asymmetrical (one is larger than the other), your breasts are widely spaced, ​tube-shaped, or seem like empty sacs, you had no breast changes in early pregnancy, or you had no breast changes after birth.

This may not mean that you suffer from IGT, but if you do, this will give you a chance to make a breastfeeding plan to see how you can try to get as much of milk supply as possible or use alternatives like lactation aids, which may or may not include supplementation.

Talk to Your Plastic Surgeon

If you have had a breast reduction or breast surgery, you may have insufficient glandular tissue as well, even if you did not have a pre-existing issue with hypoplastic breasts. Some of the newer techniques in breast reduction spare the tissue that produces milk. This means that not all breast reductions are created equally. If you happen to read this article prior to having a breast reduction, be sure to tell your plastic surgeon that you are interested in breastfeeding in the future and to do what they can to spare your breast tissue.

If you have had the surgery and don’t remember what type of procedure was done, you can request a copy of your medical records. Your doctor or midwife can help you sort through the records and figure out your best course of action.

Get to Know Your Breasts

While we used to have a long list of fairly painful things that you could do to your breasts, we have largely stopped recommending traditional nipple preparation. So, don’t listen if someone tells you to take a towel and toughen up your nipples. You actually remove some of the oils your body is producing to be more friendly to your breasts and nipples. However, breast massage can be helpful. Some women find that it relieves the pain from growing tissues in pregnancy. It can also help you feel more comfortable with your breasts once you are breastfeeding.

All of these are quick things to do in the prenatal phase of your breastfeeding life. Ask your doctor or midwife for other advice based on your health history. Build your team to start breastfeeding out on the right foot so that you can meet your personal breastfeeding goals.

When it came to breastfeeding, I didn’t give my nipples much thought. Until my breastfeeding coach told me they were flat while we were trying to get my eldest set up for breastfeeding. Under a haze of drugs from the c-section, if it hadn’t been for Vivian, I don’t know what I’d have done.

Fortunately, she knew what to do, and it was an easy fix. Once my eldest began eating like the little piggy she was back then, I never again had trouble with my nipples, not even when my youngest was born.

The thing to remember is that you are breastfeeding and that while nipples are there to serve a purpose, having flat or even inverted nipples won’t stop that from happening. It just takes a little understanding to know how to handle it.

Table of Content

Can You Breastfeed with Flat or Inverted Nipples?

I’m glad you asked because yes, you can! If you’re currently pregnant and looking at your nipples, you might be wondering if they’re normal, flat, or inverted. Here’s an easy way to tell.

Simply provide gentle compression to that dark area surrounding your nipple (the areola). Your nipple should become erect, but if not, it’s flat. If it appears more concave, then it’s inverted. If you notice either of these things, please don’t worry! It might make things a wee bit more difficult for your baby to latch on, but if you keep reading, you’ll find out how to overcome that obstacle.

According to La Leche League, there are different types of flat and inverted nipples that you may be contending with. If you have a dimpled nipple where only part of it protrudes, you can pull it out, but it won’t stay that way.

Sometimes you might have one breast with a flat or inverted nipple. Nipple inversion also varies in degree. If your baby can get a normal suction going on the nipple, there will be no trouble bringing it out.

For more extreme cases, you can wear a breast shell to help draw it out. It’s advisable that you start doing this now, so your nipples are ready to go once the baby is born. But even if you’ve just had your baby and are now discovering your nipples are inverted, by finding a good position and getting a good latch, you can conquer it.

What You Can Do If You Have Flat or Inverted Nipples When Breastfeeding?

If your nipple isn’t coming out for breastfeeding, you might be curious as to how you’re going to breastfeed. There’s no need to panic though. Some women may go into pregnancy with completely flat nipples, and then due to postpartum hormones, those nipples may pop out just before birth. Whatever the case, how to make your nipples hard for breastfeeding is likely on your mind, and I’ve got the solutions you need for being successful.

Wear breast shells

I mentioned these briefly above. You tuck them in your bra, and they serve to draw out your nipples. It features a hole that your nipple goes through. The pressure it causes around your nipple causes it to protrude. It’s ideal for wearing these before giving birth, though you can use them 30 minutes before every feeding to draw your nipples out (except at night!). Don’t forget to clean them thoroughly each time, and wipe down your breasts and nipples before nursing to keep things clean.

Incidentally, this is what my breastfeeding coach gave me to try out. After a week of using breast shells, I no longer needed them.

Use your breast pump

Part of the reason I didn’t need breast shells anymore was because of my breast pump. I was trying to get rid of excess milk (I had soooooo much of it!) and relieve my engorged breasts. My nipples seemed like they were continually protruding from that moment on.

Try stimulation techniques

Sometimes all you need is to roll your nipples between your fingers and apply a cold cloth to it for stimulation. Don’t do it for too long though. You don’t want it to inhibit the letdown of your milk.

Pull it back

This is an effective method when you’re on the go, and you realize you’ve got nothing else but science in your corner. Put four fingers of one hand underneath your breast behind the areola and then put that thumb on top. Now pull! It usually works to get the nipple to come on out.

Don’t Forget Good Latch and Positioning!

I’ve written about how to get the right latch and how getting into a comfortable position can help with breastfeeding. Sometimes, it’s just that you’re not comfortable. Other times in those early days, you might not know if you’re doing it right or not.

That’s why I advise getting proper support. I always talk about La Leche League as you know, and the reason is that is how I found my breastfeeding coach when I was miles away in China. She helped me get comfortable with breastfeeding and helped me figure out what I was doing.

It helps, plus if you have a more severe degree of inversion, a breastfeeding coach or lactation consultant can help you correct the problem. If you plan to have more than one child, learning how now really helps when you have your next one. And once you get the latch right for any of your kids, there will be no stopping you, even if your nipples don’t seem to want to cooperate!

How should I prepare for breastfeeding?

Learn as much as you can about breastfeeding even before your baby’s born. Talk to other nursing moms, read books to familiarize yourself, call your local La Leche League International chapter, and consider taking a breastfeeding class (offered by most hospitals) some time in your last trimester. The more you know about how to get started and the benefits of nursing, the more likely you are to succeed at it.

Whether you think about it or not, your pregnant body is preparing itself for breastfeeding. That’s one reason your breasts get so much bigger during pregnancy — your milk ducts and milk-producing cells are developing, and more blood goes to your breasts than before. (Learn more about how your breasts produce milk.) But breast size has nothing to do with your ability to nurse successfully: For example, it’s not true that smaller-breasted women make less breast milk.

Do I need to toughen my nipples?

“No,” says Kathleen Huggins, author of The Nursing Mother’s Companion. The hormonal changes pregnancy brings to your breasts are sufficient preparation for most women. Don’t rub or scrub your nipples — this will only hurt you and make breastfeeding difficult. Teaching your baby the right way to latch on to your breast from the beginning is the most effective way to prevent soreness.

What products should I buy?

These products aren’t required, by any means, but they can make breastfeeding more comfortable and convenient:

Nursing bras: These bras are comfortable and provide the extra support your larger-than-usual breasts need. They come with flaps that you can easily undo at feeding time.

It’s best to wait until the last couple of weeks of pregnancy to shop for nursing bras, when your breasts will be closest to their postpartum size. That said, once your milk comes in your breasts will be bigger. They may even grow another size or two! So keep that in mind when buying nursing bras, and when shopping in person look for a salesperson who’s knowledgeable about fitting.

(You can wait until after you give birth to make this purchase, but in the early days after delivery you probably won’t have the time or energy to go bra shopping.)

Nursing tops and camisoles: These tops have convenient flaps that allow you to breastfeed easily and discreetly. Some of the camisoles are very supportive and can function as a bra and top in one.

Nursing pillows: Specially designed to support your baby while you’re nursing, these can help you avoid straining your shoulders or neck during feeding sessions. They’re more convenient — and better at keeping your baby in position — than regular pillows.

Breast pads: It’s normal for your breasts to leak while you’re nursing, and another baby’s cry or the sight of an infant can bring on a gush of milk when you least expect it. Disposable breast pads (or reusable, washable ones) will keep you and your shirts nice and dry.

A breast pump: Even if you’re not planning to pump regularly, a breast pump can be a useful tool — to help relieve engorgement, for example. Find out more about buying a breast pump.

Other breastfeeding accessories: Lanolin ointment (available in many drugstores) can help relieve sore nipples. And hot/cold gel packs, which fit inside your bra, can soothe swollen or sore breasts.

Huggins K. 2010. The Nursing Mother’s Companion. 6th edition. Boston, MA: The Harvard Common Press.

La Leche League International. 2016. Find a La Leche League or group near you. [Accessed December 2016]

La Leche League International. 2013. Breastfeeding tips and guide. [Accessed December 2016]

Nemours Foundation. 2014. Breastfeeding FAQs: Getting started. [Accessed December 2016]

OWH. 2014. Learning to breastfeed. U.S. Office on Women’s Health. [Accessed December 2016]

Marcella Gates is a writer and editor based in Northern California.

Many first-time mothers are apprehensive of breast feeding. As pregnancy progresses, women’s bodies are already preparing for breast feeding. Nursing is what “the ladies” were designed to do. Bust size increases as the milk ducts and milk-producing cells develop, and more blood goes to the breasts than before. However, breast size has no correlation with the ability to nurse.

Some common questions, nursing myths and concerns are addressed below:

How to prepare for breastfeeding?

Read as much as you can. Talk to your care provider about your decision to breastfeed. Go to a La Leche League International chapter, and take a breastfeeding class (offered by most hospitals) or contact a local lactation consultant at an area hospital. The more you know about the benefits of nursing, the less apprehensive you will be.

Do I need to toughen my nipples?

All the old wives’ tales about toughening your nipples are just that, old wives’ tales. Wash the areola and nipples with plain warm water rinses to avoid drying out the skin. If you are plagued with dry skin, use a small amount of pure lanolin to moisturize them.

If you have flat nipples or inverted nipples, you should still be able to breastfeed successfully. In these cases, it is beneficial to gently roll each nipple between your thumb and forefinger to loosen the adhesions that are pulling the nipple inward. If your case is particularly severe, then you can use nipple shields in the beginning of nursing until the nipple protrudes outward. If you are truly concerned, ask your care provider or lactation consultant.

You may also use a manual or electric breast pump for a few minutes daily to pull out the nipple. A breast pump is an essential item if you wish to have others feed the baby or will be returning to work.

What do I need to buy?

Although you may want to purchase a couple of nursing bras before the baby comes, as your milk comes in you will most likely need a larger size. It is advisable to purchase at least one before the birth because you will be hard-pressed to go shopping soon after the baby is born. You may want a few breast feeding clothes. Nursing tops have convenient snaps or flaps that allow easy, discrete access. At the very least, you will want a loose-fitting shirt.

Invest in a supply of breast pads. These are a necessity in the early days. As the weeks progress, you will experience less and less leaking. However, in the early days you may awake drenched, even with breast pads in place. You can purchase either disposable pads or washable pads. Disposable pads may be more convenient in the beginning with less time for extra laundry. Once the leakage slows, washable pads can become a cost-saving option.

Return from Breast Feeding to Vaginal Birth Preparation

Although breastfeeding is good for you and your baby, it can be hard on your nipples! Read our advice and tips on nipple care to help keep soreness at bay

“Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt” is a mantra new mums often hear. But many find the reality is rather different in the early days.

For starters, during pregnancy most women’s nipples become larger and more sensitive. And when your newborn starts feeding from them he creates pressure and suction unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before (well, if you’re a first-time mum at least).

Breastfeeds can take a long time too – sometimes up to an hour – and your baby may feed up to 13 times a day. 1 All this new suction, pressure and saliva can result in sore nipples.

Think about lips that get sore or cracked from the wind or sun. The more you wet them by licking them, the more dry and damaged they get – so you moisturise to soothe and protect them and to help them heal. It’s the same with your nipples.

However, soreness shouldn’t last long as you and your baby should become accustomed to breastfeeding during the first couple of weeks. Treating problems promptly is essential for preventing further damage. So if your nipples crack, start bleeding, or are excruciatingly sore, speak to a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist as soon as you can. 2

However, prevention is better than cure – so read my troubleshooting tips below.

Check your baby’s latch

The key to pain-free breastfeeding is a good latch. When your baby is latching on, aim your nipple towards the roof of his mouth. This should help him latch on to the nipple, as well as some of the areola (the circle of darker skin around the nipple) beneath it. Having both the nipple and some of the breast tissue into his mouth like this will help him feed properly. 3

Get your baby’s latch checked by a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist in the first few days. They’ll give you advice on overcoming any problems and may suggest alternative breastfeeding positions to help you feed your baby as painlessly as possible.

Watch out for tongue-tie

Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) affects 4 to 11% of newborns. 4 It means the strip of skin that attaches the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, called the lingual frenulum, is too short. A tongue-tied baby may not be able to open his mouth wide enough to take in plenty of your breast when he feeds, and his tongue probably won’t cover his lower gum while he sucks. The result can be sore nipples for you and frustration for him.

A healthcare professional, lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist needs to assess your baby to confirm a tongue-tie. It can be treated with a simple procedure called a tongue-tie division if necessary. Carried out by a healthcare professional, this doesn’t usually require anaesthetic and may help resolve feeding problems immediately. 5

There is a similar, but rarer, condition called a lip-tie, where the frenulum attaching the upper lip to the top gum is too short. Tongue-ties and lip-ties aren’t always picked up in neonatal checks, so if you think one of these could be causing your nipple pain, seek advice quickly. 4

Breastfeeding nipple care tips

• Only wash your breasts with water when you bath or shower. The little bumps (Montgomery glands) on your areolae produce an oil that moisturises and protects your nipples. Soaps and shower gels can strip this natural oil, causing dryness and irritation. 6
• Air-dry your nipples or dab them gently with a towel. Women used to be told to rub their nipples to toughen them up, but this isn’t advised any more – thank goodness!
• There’s no need to clean the breast or nipples before breastfeeding. In fact, bacteria from the surface of your breast can help develop your baby’s gut microbiome. 7
• Fresh breast milk can help heal damaged nipples, 8 so try massaging a few drops into them before and after feeds.
• Change nursing pads frequently if they become damp to reduce the risk of bacterial or fungal infections, including thrush. 6
• Avoid increasing the gap between breastfeeds to ‘rest’ your nipples. Your baby needs to feed on demand to stay healthy and grow well. Remember, frequent feeding builds and maintains your supply, so keep feeding through any soreness. 9

Useful nipple care products

• Nipple cream made from ultra-pure lanolin – a natural product obtained from sheep’s wool. This moisturises and supports healing. It’s harmless for your baby, so there’s no need to wash off lanolin before breastfeeding.
• Hydrogel pads can be placed on sore nipples to offer instant breastfeeding pain relief, as well as creating ideal conditions for healing. You can even keep them in the fridge for cooling comfort.
• Breast shells fit inside your bra. They’re great for stopping clothing rubbing against sore nipples, and have holes in so air can still get to your nipples to help them heal.
• Nursing bras made from either a breathable material like cotton, or a fabric that dries quickly and wicks excess moisture away from damaged nipples.
• Nipple shields are silicone covers that fit over your nipples, with small holes for your breast milk to flow through as you breastfeed. They protect the skin underneath and can give a baby with a poor latch something firmer to attach to. In general nipple shields should be considered a short-term solution. If problems or pain occur, consult your lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist.

When to seek medical help

Once your baby and your nipples are used to breastfeeding, it’s true it shouldn’t hurt. It’s worth reiterating that the number one cause of sore nipples is a poor latch. If one breastfeeding expert hasn’t been able to resolve your nipple pain, try another, and another if necessary.

If your nipple pain persists or you notice unusual symptoms, see a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist. White spots or flakiness on your nipples could be thrush, whitish or blueish nipples could be caused by a circulatory disorder such as Raynaud’s disease (vasospasm), and pus or hot redness are signs of infection. 2

2 Berens P et al. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. ABM Clinical Protocol# 26: Persistent pain with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Medicine. 2016;11(2):46-53.

8 Mohammadzadeh A et al. The effect of breast milk and lanolin on sore nipples. Saudi medical journal. 2005;26(8):1231-1234.

Tips and instructions for hands-free pumping

How to get breastfeeding support

Breastfeeding and bonding with your newborn

What to expect when bringing your baby home

If you have dry, cracked or sore nipples, Purelan™ 100 lanolin cream offers natural soothing care and protection – and is safe for you and .

If you’re breastfeeding and have sore or cracked nipples, Medela hydrogel pads support healing and offer instant, soothing relief. .

Breastmilk or formula, by hand or bottle prep machine – the most important part of this process is that the baby gets enough nutrition.

Bottle feeding is crucial for new mothers who are heading back to work, cannot produce the milk volume that their babies need, or have trouble convincing their little ones to latch. Crucial, but hardly intuitive. Preparing a baby bottle isn’t as easy as it sounds, and there are significant differences between preparing a bottle of formula and a bottle of breastmilk. Here’s what parents need to know about storing, warming, and preparing a bottle for feeding:

How to Prepare a Bottle for Feeding

• Pumped Breastmilk – Can be stored in the fridge, frozen, and combined with pumped milk from different days. Frozen milk should be thawed in a warm water bath.
• Formula – Can be mixed ahead of time and stored in the fridge for 24 hours. Always follow the directions.
• Unfinished bottles – If the bottle is formula and it isn’t finished in an hour, it should be dumped. Breastmilk can be safely stored in the fridge until the next feeding.
• Warming Bottles – Should be done with a warm water bath – NEVER with a microwave.
• Baby Bottle Prep – machines can help, but so can foresight. Measuring out the night’s doses can help streamline the process in the wee morning hours.

One key fact is that breastmilk is much less perishable than formula. “A common mistake parents make with bottle feeding expressed milk is that they…pour out milk that is perfectly fine to use for another feeding,” Leigh Anne O’Connor, a board certified lactation consultant, told Fatherly. “If a baby does not finish a bottle of fresh [breast] milk it can be saved for another feeding.” This is not the case with formula. So families that alternate between formula and breastmilk need to work to keep their bottles straight. “I recommended keeping the milk in a separate bottle from the formula, mostly because if you do not finish a bottle of formula it has to be thrown out. If you combine them and the baby does not finish the bottle, then they are throwing out breast milk.”

Freshly pumped breastmilk can also be frozen, and combined with milk expressed at different times or on different days, adding to its longevity. Not so with formula. “Most formulas can be made in bulk and stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours,” Deborah Malkoff-Cohen, a pediatric dietitian and nutritionist, told Fatherly. “Once a baby drinks formula from a bottle it is deemed contaminated and should be discarded if it isn’t finished within an hour.”

When it comes time to thaw breastmilk (or to warm it up) a warm water bath is the way to go. “Never microwave a bottle,” Malkoff-Cohen says. “You can warm a bottle in a cup of warm water. Bottle warmers are not necessarily needed; they’re mostly for convenience.” O’Conner agrees that microwaves are a bad idea. “You do not want to have hot spots and burn the baby,” she cautions.

As far as prepping a bottle for formula feeding, it can be fairly easy: just follow the instructions. “It depends on the formula you choose to use, but follow the instructions on the can, and always use the scoop that comes with it,” advises Malkoff-Cohen. “Most formulas are mixed two ounces water to one scoop, but some are one ounce of water to one scoop – don’t over pack the scoop or do a ‘heaping’ scoop; this changes the concentration and density of the calories.”

The instructions usually involve filling the baby bottle with water, adding the right amount of powdered formula, and then shaking it like hell. Bottled water is consistently the cleanest, but if parents have to use tap water, they can contact their pediatrician or local municipality to see if the tap water needs to be boiled first. Bottle preparation machines can help simplify the process; they keep the water at room temperature and pre-measure the formula powder.

“It’s a Keurig for baby formula,” says Malkoff-Cohen. Although she cautions that bottle preparation machines are not perfect. “You do still need to shake the bottle to thoroughly mix, though. They are expensive, can be loud and can break, and parts need to be cleaned daily. I have heard stories where they’ve mixed bottles incorrectly, but when it works it is amazing.”

In theory, there is very little you need to do to prepare for breastfeeding. Women have been doing it for millions of years and done a perfectly fine job or you and I wouldn’t even be here!

However, some of us have the personalities (mine included. ) that we need to prepare and plan in order to have the confidence to try anything new…because if we take on something as important as feeding our babies…we want to do it right and be confident that we will know what we are doing!

Here are some things you can do to give yourself the confidence to know that when you finally meet your new little sweetie for the first time, you will be able to breastfeed with ease.

Enlist the Support of your Doctor

If you haven’t already, make sure that you have found a doctor that fully supports breastfeeding.

Especially if different circumstances arise during and after childbirth, this person can have a great impact on your breastfeeding success or failure.

Find a doctor who will become a cheerleader for you in this chapter of your life!

Plan for Your Baby’s Birth

One important step as you prepare for breastfeeding, is to determine where your baby will be born and who will be helping you care for your infant immediately after birth.

I typed out and signed a sheet of paper giving the nursing staff at the hospitals where I gave birth specific written instructions regarding both my care and my baby’s care. This included instructions that my baby was to be brought to me to be exclusively breastfed and that no pacifiers were to be given.

Just a warning…the nursing staff probably will try to talk you into the pacifier, water, or a bottle and will tell you that it is “no big deal.” Trust us experienced mommies…they are just trying to make their life a little easier on that work day…not do what is best for you.

Stick to your plan. You will be glad that you did.

How To Prepare for Breastfeeding by Finding a Good Pediatrician

When you prepare for breastfeeding, another helpful advocate for breastfeeding is a good pediatrician. If you love your OB/Gyn, ask for a reference. Ask other breastfeeding mothers who they would recommend.

Make sure the doctor and their staff are open to phone calls, questions, and have schedules that allow for last minute appointments. Especially if this is your first baby, you will need their assistance.

Take a Breastfeeding Class

Many hospitals offer breastfeeding classes at very reasonable rates for new mommies to prepare for breastfeeding. Take advantage of them and bring daddy along! You will both learn about the advantages of breastfeeding, what to expect and will be able to ask any questions that you may have.

This was a very important step in gaining the support of my sweet husband! He heard and saw what to expect and it definitely changed his viewpoint!

Watch a Video

If you can’t get to a class, the next best thing would be to watch a video. If you want to see our favorite choices for breastfeeding videos or to watch a short one online, click here.

Establish a Support System

Besides your baby’s daddy, make sure that you have support system in place as you prepare for breastfeeding. You will want to have others around to ask questions and support you while nursing.

If you don’t have anyone around who can provide that support, join a breastfeeding support group, like La Leche League, while you are still pregnant. They can be a huge help!

If you are planning on returning to work, you will also want to find a babysitter, nanny or childcare provider who is supportive of breastfeeding.

If you are a modern mom planning on a natural childbirth, a great resource for you is the Hip Chick Pregnancy Guide.com. This will put your mind at ease about how wonderful the birthing process can be.

Breastfeeding Checklist

One of the most beautiful things about nursing is that you don’t need a lot of supplies and stuff. You don’t need to make sure that you have enough clean bottles and cans of formula to get you by.

However, there are some supplies that you may want to have on hand to make the transition from pregnant woman to nursing mother just a little bit easier. Make a list of those things that you want to have on hand. (If you need help with your list, click here.) Then when the big day arrives, you are more than prepared!

Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to nourish your infant. With a few precautions, you can nurse your baby without ending up with painful nipples.Here are several ideas for preparing your nipples for breast feeding.

• Rub moisturizer on your nipples. An organic moisturizer such as lanolin can keep your nipples supple without harming your feeding infant. Or simply leave on the natural oils produced by the breasts. Avoid washing your nipples with soap, which can dry out the skin, remove the oils and aggravate its sensitivity. Avoid using alcohol or petroleum jelly as well, as these will lead to cracking.
• Train your nipples to point outwards. Flat or inverted nipples can hinder your child’s ability to latch on. You can coax your problem nipples to poke outwards by pressing them between your thumb and forefinger several times a day during pregnancy. You can also wear breast shells for the entire day, only to remove them at night.
• Perform the Hoffman technique. Developed by Dr. J. Brooks Hoffman, this procedure is supposed to train your inverted or flat nipples to come out. Gently squeeze both sides of the nipple with thumb and forefinger repeatedly five times a day. After a couple of weeks, your nipples will tend to come out of the breast.

Take note that nipple stimulation during pregnancy can lead to labor. Your body may take it as a signal to begin uterine contraction. Leave your nipple alone when you are experiencing anything resembling contractions or body changes.

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Whether you’re going back to work or are on the go, you may want to freeze your breast milk for feeding flexibility. Depending on what type of freezer you use, frozen breast milk may stay good for three months to a year .

Studies have shown that freezing milk doesn’t damage important macronutrients and other benefits, like antibodies, for at least nine months or longer. To feed previously frozen milk to your baby, simply thaw the milk and serve cool or warm to body temperature.

Read on to learn different methods you can use to thaw breast milk, plus other tips for breast milk safety.

You can thaw frozen breast milk by placing it in the refrigerator overnight or for approximately 12 hours. From there, you can store thawed breast milk in your refrigerator for up to 24 hours. After that, the milk might be more apt to grow bacteria.

Any milk used to feed your baby throughout the day should be discarded after the feeding or within one or two hours. Learn more about how long breast milk can safely sit out.

To warm milk that’s been thawed in the refrigerator, place it under warm running water until it reaches body temperature. Be sure to test the milk before offering it to your baby to ensure it won’t burn their mouth. You can also swirl the milk to mix in the cream of the milk that rises during freezing.

You may thaw frozen breast milk directly from the freezer by placing it under warm running water, in a warm water bath, or in a bottle warmer. Doing so can only take a few minutes, but remember to keep the water warm and not hot or boiling to avoid burning your baby.

Once milk has been thawed using this method, it should be used within two hours.

Thawing breast milk at room temperature is not recommended. There are guidelines, however, for how to treat thawed milk once it’s at room temperature:

• Use thawed breast milk within two hours after it’s been left at room temperature.
• Discard thawed milk within one or two hours after your baby started feeding to avoid bacterial contamination.
• Don’t refreeze breast milk that’s already been thawed. There’s little information on this process and how it may change the milk’s bacteria and nutrition.

Thawing breast milk using a microwave isn’t recommended. Doing so may destroy the beneficial nutrients in the milk.

The temperature of the milk can also be inconsistent throughout when you microwave it. This can lead to hot spots to develop in the milk that may burn your baby’s mouth. Instead, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or use warm water.

The differences between how long you can keep frozen breast milk has to do with the temperature inside your freezer compartment.

• Breast milk stored in a standard refrigerator’s freezer (with its own door) can stay good for up to nine months. Ideally, you should use this milk within three to six months .
• Milk stored in a dedicated deep freezer or chest freezer can stay frozen for up to one year. Ideally, you should use the milk between six months and a year.

While your milk is safe within these guidelines, studies show that milk quality changes slightly over time. Fat, protein, and calories may decline in milk that’s frozen over 90 days. After three months, the acidity of the milk may increase.

A few smaller studies have shown that vitamin C may decrease after five months of frozen storage.

That said, colostrum stays stable for at least six months when stored in a deep freezer. Other studies share that milk frozen nine months or longer still contains the important macronutrients and immunoactive proteins.

Why does my milk look or smell funny?

You may notice that the color of your breast milk varies from pumping session to pumping session. This has to do with your diet and the time frame in your baby’s life when the milk was expressed. The composition of your breast milk changes over time as your baby gets older.

Thawed breast milk may also smell different than fresh because of a breakdown in fatty acids. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe to drink or that your baby will reject it.

How to Prepare a Bottle

Formula can provide all the nutrients your little one needs during the first 6 months of their life – but not everyone appreciates the importance of preparing formula correctly.

Choosing the right formula to match the age and nutritional needs of your baby is important – but so is reading the label carefully, following the manufacturer’s instructions and handling the formula correctly.

Following Instructions

The number of scoops and the amount of water can vary between different types and brands of formula – so it’s a good idea to always check the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct amount of water and powder to use before making up the formula. Always use the scoop that came with the formula as scoop sizes can vary too.

• If the formula made is too strong (when too much powder is added to the water) your baby may become constipated
• If the formula is too weak (when not enough powder is added to the water) your baby may not be getting all the nutrients they need to help them grow and develop.

Getting started

A baby’s immune system is not as well-developed as an adult’s, so it is important to use good hygiene practices when making up formula – to help prevent illnesses and infections.

Simple hygiene steps to remember:

• Always wash your hands thoroughly before starting to prepare the formula
• Make sure the surface area you are going to use to prepare the formula is clean
• Remember to wash all the feeding equipment carefully (both inside and out)
• Sterilise equipment by boiling in water for 5 minutes or using another approved sterilising method – remembering to follow the sterilising directions carefully.

Preparation steps 1-2-3

Step 1. Sterilising the water

Boil fresh water and allow it to cool – until lukewarm – before making up the formula. If the water is too hot it may scald your baby or affect the quality of the nutrients in the formula.

Bottled water (but not sparkling mineral water) can be used but it is not sterile and should always be boiled first.

Step 2 – Making up the formula

Check the instructions on the formula pack for the correct amount of water and powder to use before starting – it’s also a good idea to check the expiry date!

• Pour the correct amount of boiled (cooled) water into the sterilised feeding bottle
• Add the correct amount of powder (measure the right amount of powder by carefully levelling off the scoop provided)
• Cap the bottle and shake until the powder dissolves
• Ideally prepare each bottle individually just before you need it.

Step 3 – Feeding

Always check the temperature of the formula before giving it to your baby – you can do this by testing a few drops on the inside of your wrist. Make sure you discard any formula left over in the bottle after a feed.

For more on how to prepare a bottle, see our demonstration video

Preparing Formula

In this animation we look at how to prepare a bottle of formula, as well as some useful tips on discarding, storing and transporting formula.

This is an edited excerpt from “I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life,” which will be published on August 9th by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

The Foods for Health Institute, at the University of California, Davis, has the appearance of a Tuscan villa, its terra-cotta-walled buildings overlooking a large vineyard and a garden that bursts with summer vegetables. It is led by a chemist named Bruce German, and if there were a world title in extolling the virtues of milk he would surely hold it. At our first meeting, he spent half an hour monologuing on the subject, bouncing on an exercise ball and kneading a tattered shred of bubble wrap as he spoke. Milk, he said, is a perfect source of nutrition, a superfood that is actually worthy of the label. This isn’t a common view. The number of scientific publications about milk is tiny, compared with the number devoted to other bodily fluids—blood, saliva, even urine. The dairy industry has spent a fortune on extracting more and more milk from cows, but very little on understanding just what this white liquid is or how it works. Medical-funding agencies have generally dismissed it as irrelevant, German said, because “it doesn’t have anything to do with the diseases of middle-aged white men.” And nutritionists have looked at it as a simple cocktail of fats and sugars, one that can be easily duplicated and replaced by formulas. “People said it’s just a bag of chemicals,” German told me. “It’s anything but that.”

Milk is a mammalian innovation, common to platypuses and pangolins, humans and hippos, its ingredients varying according to what each species needs. Human milk is a particular marvel. Every mammal mother produces complex sugars called oligosaccharides, but human moth­ers, for some reason, churn out an exceptional variety: so far, scientists have identified more than two hundred human milk oligosaccharides, or H.M.O.s. They are the third-most plentiful ingredient in human milk, after lactose and fats, and their structure ought to make them a rich source of energy for growing babies—but babies cannot digest them. When German first learned this, he was gobsmacked. Why would a mother expend so much energy manufacturing these complicated chemicals if they were apparently useless to her child? Why hasn’t natural selection put its foot down on such a wasteful practice? Here’s a clue: H.M.O.s pass through the stom­ach and the small intestine unharmed, landing in the large intestine, where most of our bacteria live. What if they aren’t food for babies at all? What if they are food for microbes?

This idea dates back to the early twentieth century, when two very different groups of scientists made discoveries that, unbeknownst to them, were closely connected. In one camp, pediatricians found that microbes called Bifidobacteria (“Bifs,” to their friends) were more com­mon in the stools of breast-fed infants than bottle-fed ones. They argued that human milk must contain some substance that nourished the bacteria—something that later scientists called the bifidus factor. Meanwhile, chemists had discovered that human milk contains carbo­hydrates that cow milk does not, and were gradually whittling this enig­matic mixture down to its individual components, including several oligosaccharides. The parallel tracks met in 1954, thanks to a partner­ship between Richard Kuhn (chemist, Austrian, Nobel laureate) and Paul Gyorgy (pediatrician, Hungarian-born American, breast-milk advocate). Together they confirmed that the mysterious bifidus factor and the milk oligosaccharides were one and the same—and that they nourished gut microbes.

Breast milk is the best food you can offer your new baby. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. At about 6 months, your baby will be ready for other foods, but you can continue breastfeeding as long as it is comfortable for you and your baby, even well into the toddler years.

• Is naturally and uniquely produced—by each mother for her own baby. So your baby is less likely to be exposed to foreign allergenic material.
• Contains antibodies and other immune factors that help prevent illness.
• Has the right amount and quality of nutrients to meet your baby’s first food needs.
• Is easy on your baby’s digestive system, so there is less chance of constipation or diarrhea.

Breastfeeding offers your baby the best start, but it’s not always easy. Problems are common. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support—it’s out there (see “Who should I ask if I have questions about breastfeeding?).

What should breastfeeding mothers eat?

Breastfeeding burns calories, so it is important that you eat a variety of nutritious foods and drink plenty of fluids. You don’t need to avoid milk, egg, peanut or other foods while breastfeeding. There is no evidence that avoiding certain foods will prevent allergy in your child.

You should avoid dieting while you are breastfeeding.

What is colostrum?

Colostrum is the first milk produced in the early days after your baby is born. It is sometimes thick and yellowish, but it can also be thin and watery. Colostrum is very rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals and infection-fighting antibodies that are found only in breast milk.

You will know that your colostrum is changing into breast milk when it becomes milky white in colour. Your breasts may also feel full. This is known as your milk “coming in”. The amount of time it takes for milk to “come in” varies from mother to mother. If your milk hasn’t come in within 72 hours of your baby’s birth, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor.

How do I know when it’s time for a feeding?

You should always feed a baby on demand, which means feeding her whenever she’s hungry. However, in the first few days of life, it is not uncommon for babies to need to be woken up for a feed. If this behavior persists into the second week of life, talk to your doctor. In the first few weeks, babies need to be breastfed 8 to 12 times over a 24-hour period. Let your baby set the pace.

Sometimes babies ask to feed for short periods of time but more frequently. This is called “cluster feeding” and often happens in the evening. “Cluster feeding” is normal and might mean your baby is going through a growth spurt. This is your baby’s way of stimulating your milk production.

How will I know if my baby is feeding well?

Feed your baby from each breast for as long as she wants and alternate the breast you begin with at each feeding.

Your baby is feeding well when:

• You hear short swallowing sounds (making a “K” sound) which gradually become longer and deeper as your milk is released.
• He is content after feeding.
• The nursing process isn’t painful.
• Six or more wet diapers in a 24-hour period.
• Stools that are yellow, soft and seedy. Early on, these may come after every feeding. After the first month, stools may not be as frequent (1 bowel movement every 2 to 7 days), but they should be soft and yellow.
• Your baby is gaining weight.

How will I know if my baby isn’t feeding well?

Your baby isn’t feeding well when:

• She isn’t content after a feeding.
• The nursing process is painful.
• Your baby is not gaining weight.

What else should I know about breastfeeding?

• Wash your hands before breastfeeding.
• If you experience cracked or sore nipples, try exposing them to the air after each feeding, allowing them to dry naturally. You can also apply lanolin cream. You can buy a lanolin product at your local pharmacy. Cracked or sore nipples are often a sign that a baby’s latch is not optimal. Talk to your doctor or a lactation specialist about this.
• Avoid using soap on your nipples. Soap will wash away your breasts’ natural lubricants.
• Some women get mastitis, a serious bacterial infection which causes painful swelling of the breasts, and sometimes fever. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor. Mastitis is treated with antibiotics. It is advised to keep breastfeeding during treatment.

When should I express breast milk?

If your breasts are engorged (large, sore, and feeling extremely full), your newborn may have difficulty latching on. Express some milk by gently massaging or pushing on your breast with your hand. This may help your baby latch on.

If you will be away from your baby during feeding time, you can express your breast milk. This will allow your baby to drink breast milk from a cup or a bottle when you are not available.

Expressed breast milk is also a way to keep breastfeeding while your baby is in child care. Make sure the centre or home has a refrigerator. Breast milk has to be kept chilled until feeding time.

How should expressed breast milk be stored?

Expressed breast milk should be kept in a clean container, such as a glass bottle or milk bags for breast milk, with the date marked on it. Plastic polyethylene bags, such as commercial bottle liners, and containers made of bisphenol A (BPA) are not recommended because they can affect the quality of your milk.

Breast milk can be stored for:

• 6 to 8 hours at room temperature (no warmer than 25°C [77°F]),
• up to 5 days in the refrigerator (at a temperature of below 4°C [

DC2 is due in 3 weeks. Given I bf DC1 for 14mo, I kind of thought I knew what I’d be doing this time. Having just got all the baby stuff down from the loft & discovering breast shells (which I’d totally forgotten ever using), I’m wondering what else I’ve forgotten. All I remember is the excruciating pain of the first week or so as my nipples cracked & blistered & I struggled to deal with fast let down. After that, it was a doddle!
So, is there anything I can do to prepare my breasts for breast feeding? And what do I need to take in my hospital bag? Anything else?
Thanks!

In Japan pregnant mothers are taught to prepare their nipples for breastfeeding with a special form of massage.
It gently toughens up the nipples and makes them less likely to get sore when the baby gets latched on.
If you are interested, I’ll pm you and attempt to describe it to you.

In studies they haven’t found anything that helps prepare nipples for bfing and in fact telling mothers they need to do something in advance to bf ‘right’ it may make bfing more difficult for them and is associated with shorter bfing durations.

Try going to a local bfing group to have a chat with the bfing peer supporters/bfing counsellors, or have the bfing helplines on the fridge so that you know where to go if you need reassurance or help will do more to prepare you for bfing than anything physical.

TMI but my nipples are just as soft after 6y of bfing (continuously since March 2006 with 3 babies) as they were before 1st pg so I think the idea they need to toughen up is just a myth/local folklore – sorry Ruthchan!

Lansinoh nipple cream. Had it with ds, bought more for dc2 due any day now, need to just check I put it in my hospital bag. That and breast pads cos it is sticky stuff! Good luck

I didn’t do anything to prepare nipples but just brought things that others recommended such as:

Box of ‘goodies’ for night feeding like chocolate or cereal bars, bottle of water, magazine, breastfeeding book/nhs booklet (useful for me as self diagnosed mastitis early on)

Muslin cloths (to mop up over supply or puke!)

Storage bags (if you are freezing milk, they’re £2 in B&m bargains)

Download nursing/bf app on phone to record feeding times (if u have iPhone – useful for my first week until dd was weighed and I knew she was putting weight on)

Decent nursing bras / vests

Vest tops with hidden support as night wear (holds bf pads on place, primark have good cheap ones)

HTH

Make sure you get your breast pads and feeding bras in good time so as to avoid having to send your MIL out shopping for them after the birth! She even brought me a box of disposable pants in a size Large bitch .

In my small experience, the biggest thing which will help bf of dc2 is practical help with dc1 and housework. If you arrange support with both of these, then you will have the time and energy to devote to bf. This applies particularly if you have a DC2 like mine who loves to clusterfeed!

Yes, vg advice from heliumballoon! Outsource all housework and food preparation and get help with older DC.

Good luck. Very jealous, TTC no.2 at the moment and dying with impatience as it’s taking ages.

Of course helium totally agree with support.

During the first few weeks of dd arriving, visitors were told asked to bring evening dinner with them and they could join us for tea

Normally got a stew / curry / casserole / lasagna out of our request hint, but if friends/family are going offer or ask how they can help, i took them up on it

Thanks! From GDJ & EmsyJ’s lists, I think I have all of the equipment I need other than nursing bras which I’m going to buy tomorrow as my boobs are much bigger in this pregnancy than they were with DD.
As for the practical support, the cleaner’s hours are being upped for the first two months & I’ve roped in a 16yr old neighbour to pop in for an hour each weekday evening to jiggle the baby/tidy up toys/do bedtime with DD if she isn’t being too clingy etc. Cluster feeding is my main concern as DD feed pretty much non-stop from 5pm – 9pm for weeks. If DC2 does that, I’m somehow going to have to manage the nursery run (on the days DD is at nursery)/tea (on the days she’s at home), bathtime, stories & bedtime whilst feeding DC2. That’ll be fun!
EmsyJ – I hope you get a BFP soon. Its so frustrating, isn’t it? DD was a complete surprise so I found the months of TTC DC2 a bit of an ordeal.

I’m currently pregnant with bub #3.

I was just wondering what I can do to prepare my body for feeding this baby.

My reasons for asking are.

My DS couldn’t attach properly so he was bottle fed from 4 weeks. My DD could attach but for some reason couldn’t take my milk. she would throw up as soon as she was fed. Tried to express and feed in low reflux bottles etc. Made no difference. I also got really badly cracked nipples that bled and it was painful to feed. Hence she only breastfed for 2 weeks.

I know there is nothing i can do to prevent bub not attaching properly, or bub having a reaction to my milk. But I really want to feed this baby, if it is able to. Anything to help prevent cracked nipples.

Any ideas would be great.

Andrae,WA – Liam, Siobhan and Erin

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• Nic-DoulaMamato4
• QLD, Australia
• Total posts: 1133

I had troubles with my DS too, i went to the local public hospital and spoke to the lactation consultant. Ahe helped me soo much. Just by talking to her and i got an idea of some of the things that had gone wrong with latching him on.

For cracked nipples i used Lansinoh when i had my DD it was great, you can put it on before you feed bub and after if you need to and anytime they are sore!! You don’t have to wipe it off to feed either which is great when your sore and cracked!!

Hope i helped a bit. Next time you see your midwife, ob, whoever, ask if you can talk to the lactation consultant if they have one in that hospital! It helped me heaps!

Alex 03, Lauren 05, Matt 07, Cora 09

• Former Member
• –

Before I had my DD, I got myself a subscription to the Australian Breastfeeding association.. it was great. I also did a one day seminar to learn the basics before she was born. I think the only way to prevent cracked nipples is to get attachment right.

They ABA have a web page that is great. if you google australian breastfeeind association, it shoudl come up. My subscription cost me $50 I think, and I got a free breastfeeding book, thats $35, so there is plenty of value there. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is really keen to breastfeed. As soon as all my friends start having bubs, i’m going to buy subscriptions for them. of course, I’ll check first to see if they want to breastfeed!

My DD had some trouble attaching properly because she apparently had “a lazy sucking relfex”, but all I had to do was give her practice sucking on my finger in between feeds, and she turned around in about a day or so. (I just had to put my finger or thumb in her mouth with the nail down against her tounge. she caught on pretty quick.

There is also a good ointment or cream that worked wonders, I can’t remember the name of it, it starts with L, and its in a purple and green tube, the stuff is magic for cracked or sore nipples.

A woman’s breasts start getting ready to make milk when she becomes pregnant. Breast changes are caused by four main hormones. These hormones cause the ducts and glandular tissue (alveoli) to grow and increase in size (see the anatomy of breastfeeding in the image to the left). Your breasts start to make the first milk, colostrum, in the second trimester. Colostrum is thick and clear to yellow in color. Once your baby and the placenta are delivered, your body starts to make more milk. Over the next few days, the amount of milk your breasts make will increase and the color will change to appear more watery and white.

Hormones of Lactation

The complex physiology of breastfeeding includes a delicate balance of hormones. There are four hormones that help your breasts make milk: estrogen, progesterone, prolactin and oxytocin. Your body naturally knows how to adjust the level of these hormones to help your breasts make milk, as seen in the drawing.

Estrogen and progesterone prepare your breasts to make milk. These hormones are released by the placenta during pregnancy. They have two major roles. They increase the size and number of milk ducts in your breasts. They also keep your body from making large amounts of breast milk until after your baby is born. Once your baby is born and the placenta is delivered, these hormones decrease. This decrease signals your body that it is time to make milk.

Prolactin helps your breasts make milk. After the birth of your baby, prolactin levels increase. Every time you breastfeed or pump, your body releases prolactin. With each release, your body makes and stores more milk in the breast alveoli. If the level of this hormone gets too low, your milk supply will decrease. This is why it is important to breastfeed or pump right after delivery and then at regular time frames.

Oxytocin releases milk from your breasts. When your baby (or breast pump) begins to suck and draw your nipple into her mouth, this hormone is released. This release causes milk to be squeezed out of the alveoli, into the ducts and out of your nipple, into your baby’s mouth. This process is called letdown or milk ejection reflex (MER).

This is general information and does not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. If you have a problem you cannot solve quickly, seek help right away. Every baby is different. If in doubt, contact your physician or healthcare provider.

Affiliation

• 1 Department of Community Medicine, The University of Hong Kong Medical Center, Hong Kong, China. [email protected]

• PMID: 11978288
• DOI: 10.1016/s0029-7844(02)01940-3

Authors

Affiliation

• 1 Department of Community Medicine, The University of Hong Kong Medical Center, Hong Kong, China. [email protected]

• PMID: 11978288
• DOI: 10.1016/s0029-7844(02)01940-3

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of cesarean and forceps or vacuum delivery and parental smoking habits on the initiation and duration of breast-feeding.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, population-based birth cohort study in 1997. Data were collected on breast-feeding history, household smoking habits, method of delivery, and other demographic, obstetric, behavioral, and potential confounding variables via a standardized self-administered questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between method of birth (cesarean versus forceps or vacuum delivery versus normal vaginal birth) and either not initiating breast-feeding or doing so for less than 1 month. Among women who breast-fed for 1 month or more, multivariable survival analysis was employed to study the relationship between method of delivery and breast-feeding duration. We repeated these analyses to examine the link between parental smoking habits and breast-feeding initiation and duration.

Results: A total of 7825 mother-infant pairs were followed up for 9 months. Cesarean delivery was a risk factor for not initiating breast-feeding, for breast-feeding less than 1 month, and remained a significant hazard against breast-feeding duration. Assisted delivery with forceps or vacuum, although not associated with breast-feeding initiation, was a significant risk against breast-feeding duration. Conversely, current parental smoking habits only affected breast-feeding initiation but were unrelated to breast-feeding duration.

Conclusion: This study indicates a possible effect of forceps or vacuum delivery on breast-feeding and of cesarean on long-term breast-feeding duration. The findings provide additional evidence in support of the avoidance of unnecessary obstetric interventions.

Ask Anne…

Question : I am currently eight weeks pregnant with my second child. I didn’t breastfeed my first, who is nine. I want to breastfeed this one but I am totally clueless. Do I need to do anything to prepare my breasts? Should I use a breast pump or hand express the milk? Which is better, the electric pump or the manual pump?

Answer: Congratulations on your decision to breastfeed your new baby! You’ll be so glad that you did. Breastfeeding is the most natural process in the world, but it isn’t instinctive. You have to learn the mechanics of positioning, and educate yourself about the differences between breastfeeding and formula feeding so that you know what to expect. It’s difficult not to make comparisons when you have already had a baby, but comparing breast and bottle fed babies is like comparing apples and oranges.

There is no one best way to prepare for breastfeeding. You can’t toughen up your nipples in advance, and you can’t predict what breastfeeding problems (if any) that you will encounter. You need to educate yourself as much as you possibly can in advance. Take classes if they are available, read books (I recommend La Leche League’s The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding), talk to other nursing mothers, attend La Leche League meetings if there is a group in your area, and find a “breastfeeding friendly” doctor. Finding out what kind of support is available after your baby is born is just as important as educating yourself in advance about the basics of breastfeeding. Because there is no way to predict exactly how things will go once the baby arrives, it is helpful to know who to turn to for help when you have questions (and you will have questions, no matter how much advance preparation you do).

Find out if the hospital where you are going to deliver has lactation consultants on staff, and request a consultation as soon as possible after the baby’s birth. Some hospitals have enough LCs on staff to visit every nursing mother, while others only provide LC services if the doctor places an order for them. Most major hospitals have IBCLCs on staff, and some are in private practice in the community. Some hospitals have lactation centers that offer outpatient services after you leave the hospital, and most LCs in private practice also work with mothers individually after hospital discharge. Check around to find out what services are available and prices in your area.

Even if you have excellent help while you are in the hospital, you will find that most of your questions will be about things that happen after you go home. Whether you have a vaginal birth or a c-section, then you will probably be at home by the time your baby is 48 hours old. Common problems like engorgement, nipple soreness, and jaundice usually don’t occur until after the baby is 2-3 days old, so having someone to turn to for advice after you leave the hospital is very important.

As far as choosing a breast pump goes, it really depends on your individual situation. If you have medical complications such as prematurity or low weight gain, then you might need to rent a hospital grade pump for a short time. If you are staying at home with your baby and you take him with you everywhere you go, then you might not need a pump at all. If you want to pump occasional bottles for outings, then you might want to purchase a manual pump or a small electric/battery pump. If you are going to be working and pumping several times a day on a regular basis, then you will probably want to rent or buy a hospital or professional grade pump. You can find information about the pros and cons of different types of pumps in the article Pumping and Storing Breastmilk.

Start attending La Leche League meetings during your pregnancy. You’ll get to meet lots of happy nursing couples, as well as have access to tons of excellent information about pregnancy, parenting, and breastfeeding. La Leche League is a great source of support for all expectant and nursing mothers. It’s a good idea to find an IBCLC in your area during your pregnancy (in case you need specialized help overcoming any breastfeeding challenges), and locate your your nearest La Leche League group so you can attend meetings before your baby arrives.

Remember that nearly all mothers can breastfeed successfully if they are strongly committed and know where to get the information and support that they need. The first couple of weeks are challenging, but ask any mother who has hung in there and she will tell you that nursing your baby is worth doing whatever it takes to make it work for you.

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Breastfeeding your newborn baby

Parenting doesn’t stop for a pandemic and neither do we! Tresillian is here for you – 7 days a week. If you are having breastfeeding difficulties you can now self-refer to Tresillian services by calling our Parent’s Help Line on 1300 272 736. Call now to talk to one of our experienced nurses about which Tresillian service will best suit you.

Establishing breastfeeding

Breastmilk is produced using a ‘demand and supply’ principle.

The more your baby takes, the more breastmilk is produced. It is normal for a newborn to feed at intervals of two to five hours and feeds may take 45 minutes to an hour. In the early months your baby needs a minimum of 6-8 feeds in 24 hours.

Positioning and attachment

Good positioning and attachment is the key

• Position yourself comfortably with your back well supported
• Allow your breast to fall naturally
• Unwrap your baby to allow easy handling, skin contact and avoid overheating
• Ensure you baby is well supported behind the neck and shoulders with your baby’s body facing you with body flexed and held close. Your baby should be able to reach your breast easily, without having to stretch or twist
• Your baby’s head should be free with the top lip in line with the nipple
• Your baby should be slightly lower than the breast with their lower arm brought around under your breast.
• Your baby’s chin is touching or tucked into the breast
• Support your breast using your free hand with fingers well back from the nipple/areola, aim your nipple towards your baby’s nose
• A wide open mouth is encouraged by allowing your baby to feel the underside of the nipple with the top lip.
• As your baby’s mouth opens wide, bring your baby to your breast, aiming the nipple towards the roof of the mouth with the chin coming to the breast.

Signs of good attachment

1. Your baby’s mouth is wide open with the lower lip curled outward
2. After an initial short burst of sucking, the rhythm should be slow and even with intermittent pauses and deep jaw movements
3. A change in breast fullness indicates transfer of milk (breast emptied) in the early weeks
4. You may hear your baby’s gulps at the start of breastfeeding as the let down of high volume milk is swallowed

Is breastfeeding painful?

Increased nipple and areola sensitivity (discomfort) is normal whilst feeding is being established. Nipple sensitivity when you start a feed should ease after a minute or two if your baby is attached properly.

Constant discomfort can indicate that your baby is damaging the nipple. In this situation it is important to gently detach your baby from the breast and reattach. To detach baby, place your finger in the corner of your baby’s mouth, and push down onto the breast to break the suction.

How do I know if my baby is hungry?

• Early hunger signs include your baby smacking or licking lips, opening and closing his/her mouth or sucking on lips, tongue, hands, fingers or fists
• Active hunger signs include baby fussing or breathing fast, rooting around on the chest of whomever is carrying them; trying to position for breastfeeding by lying back, fidgeting or squirming a lot or clenching fingers or making a tight fist over the chest or tummy.
• Late hunger signs include your baby crying and/or moving their head frantically from side to side.

How do I know if my baby is full?

Some babies may detach from the breast abruptly and will quit feeding suddenly when full. For other babies, it can be a gradual process as their sucking becomes slower and slower until they are full.

Breastfeeding FAQ’s

It’s a shame to have to interrupt such an enjoyable routine, yet it’s quite possible for Some mothers are able to continue to fully or partially breastfeed their baby for many months after returning to work. It does take some pre-planning, but it’s worth the effort. Don’t be put off easily. Discussing your desire to breastfeed with your employer may help to gain some support. Start by expressing extra breastmilk and freezing it. If you haven’t been expressing, it might take a little while to build up your milk supply to be able to express more than a few milli-litres of milk each time you express. Hiring an electric breast pump may make the process easier. You may need to express at work to keep your breasts comfortable. Keep the milk refrigerated and bring it home in an insulated cool bag. Some mothers find regular expressing difficult to maintain. However, your baby can be offered an infant formula when you are at work, and still be breastfed at home. Many mothers and babies are able to continue to partially breastfeed for many months with this more flexible arrangement.

Going from being the centre of attention to having to share attention with another can be very difficult when you are 2 ½ years old (see Introduction). Organise a snack for your 2½ year old child to have while your baby is feeding. Make the snack fun by putting the food into a lunch box and adding interesting healthy foods. Place a rug on the floor so he can have a picnic. Having a special DVD or television show to put on while you feed can help keep your toddler occupied and happy. Have a special book to read or toy to play with during feeding time. This can act as a distraction and make feeding a special time. Tell your son that you will spend some time playing with him when you have put the baby down to sleep. Make sure you carry through with any promises you make to spend time with your son. Providing some structured attention with mummy or daddy can really make a difference as does encouraging extended family and friends to share some of their attention with both your son and baby.

As you have a couple of weeks until you are admitted to hospital, building up a supply of breast milk in your freezer will provide milk for your baby when you are unable to feed. In hospital, arrange ahead for your baby to room in with you (as per hospital policies to promote, protect and support breastfeeding), with the support of your partner or alternately to be brought into you at regular intervals to breastfeed. When you are being admitted talk to the nurses about your needs as a breastfeeding mother. You may need to ask for assistance to sit up to breastfeed or to express when you have returned from the operation. At home, your baby may be a little fussy or even refuse the breast when they are reintroduced to the breast. This may be a reaction to the emotional and physical separation of mother and baby and if the baby needed to be temporarily offered milk feeds from a bottle. Gently persist in offering the breast, as it may take a little while before baby settles back into a good feeding pattern.

Our nurses and paediatricians are committed to supporting breastfeeding if this is the mother’s chosen method of feeding her baby. Breastfeeding encouragement, education and support is provided to mothers striving to overcome difficulties breastfeeding. However, if a mother makes the decision to wean this will be respected and supported. If a mother chooses to give her baby an infant formula or has to wean for whatever reason, the nurses will support and help the mother to ensure that infant feeding is an important and pleasurable experience for both her and the baby.

Baby’s first outing: It’s a milestone that you don’t hear much about because it’s more of a feat for the parents to achieve than their infants.

It doesn’t matter if you take your baby to the park for an afternoon, to the beach for a week, or clear across the country. You’ll need to be ready to feed her. Little ones eat every 2 to 4 hours. You can breastfeed anywhere, but if you will be using a bottle (either for breast milk or formula), you’ll need a well-stocked cooler bag.

Luckily, bottle-feeding in a new place doesn’t have different rules. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can do it nearly anywhere.

“Really, you just need clean water, the powder, and the bottles and nipples,” says David L. Hill, MD, a pediatrician in Wilmington, NC. “Just do what you would do at home.”

Pumped and Bottled

When you travel with breast milk, it needs to be chilled until you serve it.

“There are no clear-cut rules, other than ensure that the baby is well-fed and that any expressed breast milk is safely stored in clean (not sterile) containers and at the right temperature,” says Amy Spangler, RN, author of Breastfeeding: A Parent’s Guide.

When you travel for any length of time, bring your breast pump to keep up your milk supply. If you stay somewhere without a refrigerator, you’ll have to pump for each meal.

“You won’t be able to keep breast milk [for] more than a day unless you have a fridge/freezer at your destination,” says pediatrician Ari Brown, MD, author of Baby 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year. “The best thing is to bring [your] pump and have Mom pump for the trip.”

If your baby likes a warm meal, you can heat it up while on the road.

“Run the bottle under hot tap water or immerse into a bowl filled with hot water,” Brown says.

If you use formula, powdered types are simple to measure and mix when you’re on the go.

“I always suggest making the minimum — 1 to 2 ounces at a time — so you don’t waste,” says Sarah B. Krieger, RDN, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “You can make 1 to 2 ounces more as you need it.”

Combine powder with any clean water. Within the U.S., you can rely on most tap water or use bottled water. Outside the U.S., bottled water is best in some countries, if running water isn’t from a clean source. (Boiling is another option, but it may be hard to do when you’re traveling.)

If you don’t want to measure and mix formula on your outing, buy ready-to-use, single-serve bottles of formula.

Continued

At the Airport

If you will fly for your trip, you may want to bring a little more baby formula or breast milk than you need in case there are delays, plus ice packs to keep it cool. Just tell the airport screening officer that you have it.

“Going through security, it’s just like medication,” Krieger says. “Don’t be nervous [that it will be taken away], especially if the infant is with you.”

In a Hotel

When you go away for a few days, take enough bottles to feed your baby throughout the day, then wash them in your sink in the evening. Use dish soap, hot water, and a bottle brush (which you may want to bring with you).

If your room has a refrigerator, use it to store breast milk and refreeze ice packs.

“Don’t put anything in the door,” Krieger says. “Put it in the back, the colder part of the fridge.”

When you pack your cooler bag in the morning, toss in hand sanitizer, Krieger says, in case you won’t be near a sink to wash your hands when you have to prepare your next bottle.

It really is that simple. So go ahead — get out there!

Sources

Ari Brown, MD, FAAP, pediatrician in Austin, TX; co-author, Baby 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year.

David L. Hill, MD, FAAP, pediatrician, Wilmington, NC.

Sarah B. Krieger MPH, RDN, spokeswoman, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Amy Spangler, MN, RN, IBCLC, author, Breastfeeding: A Parent’s Guide; president, Baby Gooroo.

Transportation Security Administration: “TSA Kids: Parents page.”

American Academy of Pediatrics: “How often and how much should your baby eat?”

ഗര്‍ഭ കാലത്തു ശ്രദ്ധിയ്‌ക്കേണ്ട കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ നിരവധിയാണ്. കാരണം അമ്മയുടെ ആരോഗ്യം നന്നായാല്‍ മാത്രമേ കുഞ്ഞിന്റെ ആരോഗ്യവും നന്നാകൂ. അമ്മയെടുക്കുന്ന മുന്‍കരുതലുകളാകും, കുഞ്ഞിന് ആരോഗ്യവും ആയുസുമെല്ലാം നല്‍കുന്നത്. അമ്മ കഴിയ്ക്കുന്ന ഭക്ഷണം മുതല്‍ കിടക്കുന്ന രീതി വരെ ഇക്കാര്യത്തില്‍ പ്രധാനമാണ്.

കുഞ്ഞുണ്ടാകുന്നതിനു മുന്നോടിയായി അമ്മയുടെ ശരീരം തന്നെ പല മുന്നൊരുക്കങ്ങളും നടത്തും. ആന്തരികാവയവങ്ങളിലെ മാററം മുതല്‍ ബാഹ്യമായ മാറ്റങ്ങള്‍ വരെ ഇതില്‍ പെടുകയും ചെയ്യും.

വയറ്റില്‍ വച്ചു മാത്രമല്ല, ജനിച്ച ശേഷവും പൊന്നോമനയുടെ ആരോഗ്യം ഏറെ പ്രധാനമാണ്. വയറ്റില്‍ വച്ച് കുഞ്ഞ് അമ്മയുടെ ശരീരത്തിലെത്തുന്ന പോഷകങ്ങള്‍ പൊക്കിള്‍ക്കൊടിയിലൂടെ സ്വീകരിയ്ക്കുമെങ്കിലും പുറത്തു വന്നാല്‍ ഒരു നിശ്ചിത സമയം വരെ അമ്മയുടെ മുലപ്പാലാണ് കുഞ്ഞുവാവയുടെ മുഖ്യ ഭക്ഷണം. അമ്മയുടെ മുലപ്പാലിലൂടെയാണ് വളര്‍ച്ചയുടെ ആദ്യഘട്ടം പുറത്തു വന്നാല്‍ ആരംഭിയ്ക്കുന്നതും.

കുഞ്ഞിനെ പാലൂട്ടാന്‍ ഗര്‍ഭിണിയാകുമ്പോള്‍ തന്നെ അമ്മയുടെ ശരീരം മുന്നൊരുക്കങ്ങള്‍ ആരംഭിയ്ക്കും. ഹോര്‍മോണ്‍ വ്യത്യാസങ്ങള്‍, പാലുല്‍പാദനത്തിനു സഹായിക്കുന്ന പ്രൊജസ്‌ട്രോള്‍ ഹോര്‍മോണ്‍ ഉല്‍പാദനം, മാറിട വലിപ്പത്തിനു സഹായിക്കുന്ന ഈസ്ട്രജന്‍ എന്നിവ ഇത്തരം ഹോര്‍മോണുകളില്‍ പ്രധാനപ്പെട്ടതാണ്.

എന്നാല്‍ ശരീരം ആരംഭിയ്ക്കുന്ന മുന്നൊരുക്കങ്ങള്‍ കൂടാതെ അമ്മയും മുലയൂട്ടലിനായി ഒരുങ്ങേണ്ടതുണ്ട്. അമ്മിഞ്ഞപ്പാല്‍ കൂടുതല്‍ ഉല്‍പാദിപ്പിയ്ക്കുന്ന ഭക്ഷണം മുതല്‍ ഗര്‍ഭകാല സ്തന സംരക്ഷണം വരെ ഇതില്‍ പെടുന്നു.

മോയിസ്ചര്‍

സ്തനങ്ങള്‍ നല്ലപോലെ മോയിസ്ചര്‍ പുരട്ടി സംരക്ഷിയ്ക്കുക. തികച്ചും പ്രകൃതിദത്തമായവ ഉപയോഗിയ്ക്കുന്നതാണ് നല്ലത്. ഇത് സ്തനങ്ങള്‍ വരണ്ട് വിണ്ടുപൊട്ടുന്നതു തടയും. പാലൂട്ടല്‍ സമയത്ത് സ്തനങ്ങളിലെ വരണ്ട തൊലി അമ്മയ്ക്കും കുഞ്ഞിനും ഒരുപോലെ അസുഖകരമായ അനുഭവമായിരിയ്ക്കും.

നിപ്പിളുകള്‍

നിപ്പിളുകള്‍ ഉള്ളിലേയ്ക്കു വലിഞ്ഞിരിയ്ക്കുന്നത് പാലൂട്ടലിന് തടസം നില്‍ക്കുന്ന ഒന്നാണ്. നിപ്പിളുകള്‍ വിണ്ടു പൊട്ടുന്നതിനും അസഹ്യമായ വേദനയുണ്ടാകുന്നതിനും കുഞ്ഞു പാലു വലിച്ചു കുടിയ്ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ രക്തം വരുന്നതിനുമെല്ലാം ഇതു കാരണമാകും. ഗര്‍ഭകാലത്തു തന്നെ നിപ്പിളുകള്‍ എണ്ണ പുരട്ടിയോ മറ്റോ പുറത്തേയ്ക്കു വലിയ്ക്കുക. ഇത് നിപ്പിളുകള്‍ പാലൂട്ടലിന് സജ്ജമാകാന്‍ സഹായിക്കും.

ടൈറ്റന്‍

നിപ്പിളുകള്‍ ടൈറ്റന്‍ ചെയ്യേണ്ടതിന്റെ, അതായത് നിപ്പിളുകള്‍ക്കു മുറുക്കം വര്‍ദ്ധിപ്പിയ്ക്കാനുള്ള വഴികള്‍ പണ്ടു കാലത്തു ചെയ്തു വരാറുണ്ട്. എന്നാല്‍ ഇതിന്റെ ആവശ്യമില്ല. ഇത് സ്വാഭാവികമായി വന്നു ചേരും. കുഞ്ഞിനു കുടിയ്ക്കാനും കുഞ്ഞു കുടിച്ചു തുടങ്ങുമ്പോഴും നിപ്പിളുകള്‍ സ്വാഭാവികമായി മുറുക്കം വയ്ക്കും. ഇതിനായി പ്രത്യേകിച്ചൊന്നും ചെയ്യേണ്ടതില്ലെന്നര്‍ത്ഥം.

മാറിടങ്ങള്‍ക്ക് സപ്പോര്‍ട്ട്

മാറിടങ്ങള്‍ക്ക് സപ്പോര്‍ട്ട് നല്‍കേണ്ടത് മാറിട സൗന്ദര്യത്തിനു മാത്രമല്ല, മുലയൂട്ടല്‍ സമയത്ത് അമ്മയ്ക്കുണ്ടാകുന്ന അസ്വസ്ഥകള്‍ വരെ ഒഴിവാക്കാന്‍ പ്രധാനമാണ്. മാറിട വലിപ്പം ഗര്‍ഭകാലത്ത് കൂടുന്നതു സാധാരണയാണ്. ഇതനുസരിച്ച് മാറിടത്തിന് സപ്പോര്‍ട്ട് നല്‍കുന്ന ബ്രാ ഉപയോഗിയ്ക്കുക. മാറിടത്തില്‍ പാല്‍ വന്നൂറുന്ന മസമയത്തും മാറിടത്തിന് സപ്പോര്‍ട്ട് നല്‍കണം. അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ മാറിടങ്ങള്‍ അയഞ്ഞു തൂങ്ങാന്‍ സാധ്യതയേറെയാണ്.

പാലൂട്ടലിന്

മാറിട ഭംഗി കളയുമെന്നതു മാത്രമല്ല, മാറിടത്തിന് വേദനയുണ്ടാകുവാനും പാലൂട്ടലിന് തടസമാകാനും ഇതു കാരണമാകും. ഇതു പോലെ പാലൂട്ടലിനു തടസമാകാത്ത വിധത്തിലെ നേഴ്‌സിംഗ് ബ്രാ പോലുള്ളവ അമ്മയ്ക്കു കുഞ്ഞിനും പാലൂട്ടലിന് സഹായിക്കും.

പാലുല്‍പാദനത്തിന്

പാലുല്‍പാദനത്തിന് സഹായിക്കുന്ന പല തരത്തിലെ ഭക്ഷണങ്ങളുണ്ട്. ഇവ അമ്മ നേരത്തെ കഴിച്ചു തുടങ്ങുക. കുഞ്ഞിന് മുലയൂട്ടല്‍ തുടങ്ങുന്ന സമയത്തല്ല, ഇതിനു മുന്‍പു തന്നെ ഇതു കഴിയ്ക്കുന്നതാണ് പാല്‍ ഉല്‍പാദനത്തിനു കൂടുതല്‍ സഹായകമാകുക. ഉലുവ, തേങ്ങാപ്പാല്‍ തുടങ്ങിയ ധാരാളം നാടന്‍ ഭക്ഷണങ്ങള്‍ ഇതിനു സാധിയ്ക്കും.

മാറിടങ്ങളുടെ വൃത്തിയും

ഗര്‍ഭകാലത്തു തന്നെ മാറിടങ്ങളുടെ വൃത്തിയും പ്രധാനപ്പെട്ടതാണ്. നല്ല വൃത്തിയായി മാറിടവും നിപ്പിളും ചുറ്റുമുള്ള ഭാഗങ്ങളും സംരക്ഷിയ്ക്കുക. വിയര്‍പ്പും അഴുക്കും അടിഞ്ഞു കൂടാതെ സൂക്ഷിയ്ക്കുക.

Whether you’re trying to build up a supply of stored breast milk for your return to work or stockpiling for occasional nights out, you’ll want to have a stash of breast milk in the freezer for safe-keeping. The whole process for pumping, storing, freezing and, later, thawing breast milk can appear complicated at first. It might seem like there are so many rules to follow, and the process might feel overwhelming at times. It’s common to have questions.

The good news is that all the work you put into pumping and freezing your milk has a fantastic payoff. As Dr. Florencia Segura, a pediatrician at Einstein Pediatrics explains, pumping and freezing your breast milk is highly advantageous for your child. “Whether breast milk is fresh or has been in the freezer for 9 months, we consider it ‘liquid gold,’” she says.

As the experts we interviewed explain, the process of collecting and storing your milk in the freezer isn’t nearly as tricky as you might expect, especially if you and your caregiver are equipped with smart, up-to-date information.

Is frozen breast milk as good as fresh?

Many breastfeeding mothers wonder whether their thawed frozen breast milk is healthy for their babies, especially as it compares to fresh breast milk.

“Thawed frozen milk is good for your baby,” Dr. Snehal Doshi, a neonatologist with Millennium Neonatology, assures. Doshi explains that while giving your baby fresh breast milk may be the first choice, thawed frozen milk is certainly healthier for your baby than formula.

Segura concurs, adding, “While it is true that some of the anti-infective properties are lost when milk is frozen, any breast milk is ‘liquid gold’ in that it is customized for your baby and still helps protect babies from diseases and allergies,” says Segura. “Also, the risk of bacterial contamination of milk that has been refrigerated for too long instead of being frozen completely outweighs any downside of freezing milk.”

How do you store breast milk in the freezer safely?

The first step in safely storing breast milk is to pump and collect the breast milk in a hygienic manner. “Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing breast milk,” Doshi suggests. Then, says Doshi, you should make sure to properly clean all your pump parts, as well as any storage bottles or containers you plan to use. You should also clean the counters where milk will be handled so that it doesn’t become contaminated.

After that, Doshi suggests storing your milk as deeply into your freezer as possible. “Do not store breast milk in the door of the refrigerator or freezer,” he says. “This will help protect the breast milk from temperature changes from the door opening and closing.”

How long does breast milk last in the freezer?

One of the reasons so many moms choose to freeze their breast milk is because of how much longer it can be stored in the freezer than in the fridge.

While breast milk can be stored in the fridge for three to five days, says Segura, it can be stored in the freezer (at 0 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to nine months. “If you have a deep freezer (-4 degrees Fahrenheit or colder), it can be stored up to twelve months,” she adds.

In order to get enough milk while breastfeeding your baby needs a good latch – but it isn’t always easy to achieve. Here’s expert advice to help him latch on correctly and comfortably

Breastfeeding may be the most natural way to feed your baby, but it can take time and practice for you both to get the hang of it. Understanding how a good breastfeeding latch (also known as breastfeeding attachment) should look and feel can be a huge help in getting feeding established.

It’s a good idea to get as much support as possible in the first few days and weeks after the birth. Have your newborn’s latch checked, ideally by a healthcare professional trained in breastfeeding support, or by a qualified lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist. Getting things right now will help avoid problems later.

As well as being frustrating and distressing for your baby, a poor breastfeeding latch can give you sore nipples. It may also mean your baby can’t drain your breast effectively, leading to poor weight gain, reducing your milk supply, and putting you at increased risk of blocked milk ducts and mastitis.

An expert will also check whether your baby has a tongue-tie or any other conditions that could make the latch-on process more difficult.

Sophie, mum of one, UK, says: “My top tip is to check your baby’s latch with a breastfeeding expert before leaving hospital. I didn’t know until five days in that my baby wasn’t latching properly. She was just sucking on the end of my nipples, which wasn’t giving her enough milk and made me sore.”

Camilla, mum of one, Australia, also found that asking for breastfeeding latching tips helped: “I asked every midwife I saw on my first two days in hospital to show me ways to help my baby latch,” she says. “Most of them had slightly different techniques or advice, and that way I could work out what was best for Frankie and me.”

If you’re not able to speak to a healthcare professional, lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist straight away, or your baby won’t latch all of a sudden, we’ve broken the latch-on process into six simple steps that should help you get on track.

How to help your baby latch on the breast

1: Check your latching position

Before you start, and whichever breastfeeding position you choose, make sure your baby’s head, neck and spine are aligned, not twisted. His chin should be up, not dropped towards his chest. Make sure you feel comfortable too – you could use pillows or cushions to support your back, arms or baby. 1

2: Encourage your baby to open his mouth

Hold your baby close, your nipple level with his nose. Touch your nipple gently against his upper lip to encourage him to open his mouth wide. The wider his mouth is, the easier it will be to get a good latch on. 1

3: Bring your baby to your breast

Once your baby has opened his mouth wide and has brought his tongue over his bottom gum, bring him on to your breast, aiming your nipple towards the top of his mouth. Your baby’s chin should be the first thing that touches your breast. He should take a large portion of your areola into his mouth, with his bottom lip and jaw covering more of the underneath of the areola. 1 It’s OK if you see part of your areola isn’t inside his mouth – we all have different-sized areolae and different-sized babies! Some mums find that gently shaping their breast at the same time as bringing their baby on to feed helps. Experiment and see what works.

4: Keep your baby close during latch on

Remember mums all have different breast shapes and nipple positions, so you may not always have that ‘textbook’ latch. Whenever possible, keep your baby close to you, with his chin in contact with your breast. Newborn baby’s noses are turned up so they can breathe easily while attached to the breast, and can learn to coordinate sucking and breathing with ease. 1,2

5: Look and listen

As your baby feeds, your nipple will be against the roof of his mouth, cupped gently by his tongue underneath. The latch should not feel uncomfortable – it should be more of a tugging sensation. Watch your baby – at first he’ll do short, rapid sucks to stimulate your milk flow (let-down reflex). Once milk starts flowing, he’ll suck more slowly and deeply with some pauses, which may indicate he’s taking in milk – a good sign! You should see his jaw moving, and may also hear sucking and swallowing as he feeds. These are all good signs, but it’s also important to check your baby is producing plenty of wet and dirty nappies and gaining weight as expected. 2,3

6: How to break your baby’s latch on the breast

If your baby’s latch is shallow or painful, or he starts chomping on your nipple or brushing the end of it with his tongue, remove him from your breast and try again. Ease your clean finger gently inside the corner of his mouth to break his suction if you need to.

Signs of a good latch

Every time you breastfeed your baby check that:

• his chin is touching your breast and he can breathe through his nose
• his mouth is open wide and he has a mouthful of your areola (not just your nipple)
• his latch doesn’t hurt
• he starts with short sucks before sucking more slowly and deeply 2,3

If you have flat or inverted nipples your baby may find latching more difficult – read our article on different types of nipples for advice.

Remember, if breastfeeding is painful, your baby seems hungry after feeding, or doesn’t put on weight, a poor breastfeeding latch may be the culprit. Get advice from a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist as quickly as possible.

2 Hoover K. Perinatal and intrapartum care. In: Wambach K, Riordan J, editors. Breastfeeding and human lactation. Burlington MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2016. p.227-270.

3 UNICEF UK BFHI. Off to the best start [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2018 Feb].

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How do breasts make milk?

Your breasts contain small sacs called mammary glands. These glands make breast milk. The milk travels from the mammary glands through tubes in your breasts called ducts. The milk collects in an area called the sinus. When your baby breastfeeds, the milk moves from the sinus out of the breast through tiny holes in the nipple.

What are the stages of making milk?

Your breasts go through four stages when making milk:

• Stage 1: This stage begins in your second trimester (months 4 to 6) of pregnancy. Hormones (chemicals in your body) are released that tell your mammary glands to start making milk. In the first 24 to 48 hours after you give birth, your breasts produce a small amount of colostrum. This thick substance is the first milk your body makes for your baby.
• Stage 2: This stage begins about 3 to 5 days after you give birth, when your mature milk comes in. Your breasts will feel fuller as they increase the amount of milk they produce. It may take 6 to 10 days for your milk to come in. Health problems such as diabetes or obesity (weighing more than your caregiver suggests) may cause a delay. A cesarean section or flat or inverted (pointing in) nipples may also cause a delay.
• Stage 3: This stage starts when your baby is about nine days old. It continues until you stop breastfeeding. During stage 3, you must regularly remove milk from your breasts for them to keep making milk. Remove milk by nursing your baby or by expressing. Expressing is when you remove breast milk with your hands or with a pump.
• Stage 4: This stage lasts about 40 days after your last breastfeeding session. During this stage, your milk production will slowly decrease and stop.

What does breast milk contain?

• Breast milk is the best food for your baby. It contains many nutrients that help your baby grow. Breast milk also contains antibodies (cells that fight infection). Antibodies help protect your baby against health problems such as diarrhea, lung infections, and ear infections.
• The contents of your breast milk change to meet the needs of your baby as he grows. Colostrum contains high levels of protein, some minerals, and low amounts of sugar. Colostrum also contains antibodies. Mature milk contains a lower amount of protein, and higher amounts of sugar, vitamins, minerals, and fat. Your baby gets the highest amount of nutrients at the end of the breastfeeding session. Breastfeed your baby until your milk flow stops to help your baby get the most nutrients.

What is milk let-down?

Let-down is when your breast milk flows to your nipples. You may have a tingling, tight feeling in your breasts during let-down. You may have more than one let-down during each breastfeeding session. Let-down may happen when your baby latches on to breastfeed. It may also happen when you see, hear, or think of your baby.

How can I care for myself when I am breastfeeding?

• Eat a healthy diet. Eat healthy food to help your body make enough breast milk. You should also drink at least eight 8 ounce cups of liquid each day. Your caregiver may have you take vitamins, such as vitamin D. Talk with your caregiver before you take any vitamins or supplements. Do not diet to lose weight when you are breastfeeding. Talk with your caregiver about the foods you should eat and how much. Together you can plan the best diet for you.
• Manage your stress. Increased stress can decrease your supply of breast milk. Relaxation can help reduce your stress and help you feel better. Deep breathing, meditating, and listening to music also may help you cope with stress. Talk to your caregiver about other ways to manage stress.
• Talk to your caregiver before you take any medicines. This includes all prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines. Some medicines may decrease the amount of breast milk you make. Other medicines may enter your breast milk and harm your baby.
• Do not smoke. If you smoke, it is never too late to quit. Smoking can decrease the amount of breast milk you make. Smoking harms your body in many ways. You are more likely to have heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and other health problems if you smoke. Quitting smoking will improve your health and the health of those around you. Talk with your caregiver if you smoke and need help to quit.
• Limit or avoid alcohol. Breastfeed your baby before you drink alcohol. Do not breastfeed your baby for at least 2 to 2 ½ hours after having one drink. One drink of alcohol is 12 ounces of beer or 4 ounces of wine. One ounce of liquor, such as whiskey, is one drink of alcohol. Talk to your caregiver if you drink alcohol and are breastfeeding.
• Go to all follow-up visits with your caregiver. Ask your caregiver when to return for follow-up visits. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Where can I find support and more information?

Breastfeeding can be hard. It may help to learn as much as you can about breastfeeding. Your caregiver may have you see a specialist called a lactation consultant to help you with breastfeeding. You can also contact the following:

• American Academy of Pediatrics
  141 Northwest Point Boulevard
  Elk Grove Village , IL 60007-1098
  Phone: 1- 847 – 434-4000
  Web Address:

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• Your milk has not come in within five days of giving birth. Your milk has come in if your breasts feel full or swollen. Your breasts may also be leaking milk.
• You feel you are not making enough breast milk for your baby.
• Your breasts do not feel full before feedings and softer after breastfeeding.
• Your baby is breastfeeding fewer than eight times each day.
• Your baby is four or more days old and has fewer than six wet diapers each day.
• Your baby is four or more days old and has fewer than three stools each day.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• Your baby shows signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, dry skin, fast breathing, or few or no wet diapers. He may also act very tired, irritable, or unwell, or he may not be responding to you. He may also have a very fast heartbeat.
• You are feeling so sad that you want to hurt your baby or yourself.

Care Agreement

You have the right to plan how you are going to feed your baby. To help with this plan, learn as much as you can about breastfeeding. Ask your caregivers any questions you have about breastfeeding. Work with them to decide the best way to feed your baby.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User’s use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Once you’ve mastered the fine art of pumping or expressing your breast milk, you need to be able to heat up the milk to feed it to your baby. So what are your options for heating breast milk?

How to Heat Breast Milk

Whether your breast milk was frozen or refrigerated, you can choose to either heat breast milk with store-bought accessories, or you can use what you have around the house. If your milk was frozen, it will simply take a little longer to heat up. Whatever method you choose, do not let the breast milk boil. You risk destroying essential nutrients and antibodies.

Option 1: Warm Water

Take your frozen or refrigerated bottle or bag of milk and hold it under warm—not hot—water running out of your faucet, turning the container constantly until the milk is warmed through. You could also fill a bowl with warm water and place the bag or bottle in the bowl (make sure no water can leak into the bag or bottle), then cover the bowl with a towel to trap in the warmth. With either method, gently swirl the milk after heating to make sure the heat is evenly distributed. It’s recommended to feed baby within 15 minutes of heating breast milk to avoid bacteria development.

Option 2: Steaming

Fill a saucepan on the stove with water and heat it to boiling. Place a small metal cooling rack on top of the saucepan (make sure it’s stable and not easily tipped) and place the bag or bottle of breast milk on the rack. If you don’t have a rack that fits over the saucepan, just hold the breast milk over the pan, wearing an oven mitt to avoid getting burned. Once the breast milk is heated, swirl it gently for an even heat distribution. Do not put the breast milk bag or bottle into the water; keep it over the water and in the steam.

Option 3: Bottle Warmers

Bottle warmers are like the rice cookers of the breastfeeding world. You can set your breast milk to “cook,” then forget about it until it’s ready. Every warmer is different; some require you to add water to steam the milk while others don’t. Some are battery-powered while others use cords. Most will accept all bottle sizes. Some will even sterilize your pacifiers. To heat the breast milk, simply stick the bottle of milk in the warmer and follow the instructions. Before you heat up breast milk bags, make sure the bottle warmer you are using is safe for bags.

There are just as many—if not more—varieties of travel bottle warmers. Some will plug into the car adapter, while others include a thermal flask to keep your heating water warm. Other varieties include insulated sleeves, warming wraps or bands, or heating cartridges. Again, just follow the instructions to warm your milk.

Can’t I Just Microwave My Breast Milk?

NEVER microwave breast milk. This will not only unevenly heat the breast milk and create hot spots, it will also destroy some of the milk’s nutrients. If you stick a bag of breast milk in the microwave, the bag could explode.

Testing the Temperature of the Breast Milk

Make sure to test the temperature of the heated breast milk before feeding it to baby. Squirt a little milk straight from the bottle to your wrist; the breast milk should feel warm but not hot. Or you could drip some straight onto your tongue (avoid sticking the bottle in your mouth or touching the nipple to your tongue).

Can I Reheat Milk I’ve Already Fed My Baby?

The jury is still out on whether reheating breast milk again is truly safe for baby. Some are against the idea, while others say that more feedings with the same milk will lessen the bacteria in the milk. Most experts agree that feeding, refrigerating, and then reheating once is okay, as long as you don’t keep it longer than 24 hours. However, stick with your mommy instinct; if it looks or smells bad to you, throw it out. And remember to never refreeze thawed milk.

Do I Really Need to Heat Breast Milk?

Although it’s always up to you if you want to heat the milk, most babies will prefer milk closer to its original expressed temperature (aka, warm from Mommy). The biggest challenge at a cold temperature would be a separation of the fat layer from the rest of the milk; it won’t mix together so easily when it’s cold. Babies do need that fat, and they might not get enough of it if the fat is separated from the milk.

A mom of four with one current breastfeeder, Stephanie loves to share her breastfeeding, birthing, and child-rearing experiences with anyone who asks. She is an experienced copywriter, editor, and blogger who hopes her words will reach others while glorifying God. Feel free to drop her a line at [email protected]