How to properly prepare the breast for feeding

Breastfeeding is such a process that is so important in all respects that it needs to be approached with special care. Breastfeeding develops a child’s natural immunity, protects against allergens, and nourishes with vitamins. In addition, attaching the baby to the chest ties the mother and child with a powerful emotional thread. To make this process painless, pleasant and comfortable, breasts for feeding must be prepared before the baby is born.

How to prepare breasts for feeding before childbirth

The main problem associated with breastfeeding is cracks in the nipples. Open cracks and wounds are the gateway to germs and infection. In addition, this is a very painful phenomenon, but it can be prevented. To do this, during pregnancy, even before childbirth, you need to prepare the nipples for the upcoming "work".

1. Friction. Rub your nipples with a towel for five minutes. This slightly coarsens the skin of the nipples and makes it stronger. If rubbing the nipples with a towel brings you pain and discomfort, you can slightly modify this process. Cut two circles from the terry cloth and sew them into the bra at the level of the nipples. Such easy and light friction during long and regular wearing of clothes will perfectly prepare the breast for feeding.
2. Compresses To nipples slightly roughened, and the skin became less sensitive, you can make compresses from black tea or oak bark. Make strong black tea and moisten cotton pads in it. Attach moist cotton pads to your chest, cover with plastic wrap and put on a bra. Leave a compress of black tea for - 15-20 minutes. Instead of tea, you can use oak bark. The bark is crushed and poured with boiling water, simmered over low heat, and then insist for a few more hours. From a warm broth make a compress for the nipples. Oak bark and black tea contain a large number of tannins, which make the skin of the nipples more rough, firm and supple.
3. Massage. To prepare the breast for feeding, to open the milk ducts and soften the gland, you need to do a light delicate massage on the chest daily. The massage will soften the breast so that when milk appears in it, it will be easily absorbed by the baby. Massage should consist of stroking, patting and pinching movements. First, massage the skin around the nipple with circular light pressure. Then, with both hands, rub the mammary gland from the armpit towards the nipple. After that, slightly press on the top and bottom of the chest, as if we want to express milk. All these movements should not bring pain or discomfort - everything is gentle, soft, delicate. Massage should be done every day starting two months before the expected date of birth.
4. Hardening. This is an invariable component of the preparation of the nipple for feeding. That the skin was not so thin and vulnerable, the nipple needs to be tempered. For starters, you can carry out air baths. Walk for some time without laundry at home or in nature. But be careful - it is undesirable to expose the nipples in direct sunlight. Along with air baths, water quenching can be carried out. Every day after a shower, direct a stream of warm or cool water onto your nipples. Gradually, every day, as your skin gets used to cold water, lower the temperature by one degree. Pouring excessively cold water is not worth it, do not lose common sense.

How to prepare a breast shape for feeding

We are all different, like our figures, faces and souls. In the same way, the shape of the nipple in each woman differs in its features.Even before birth, a woman needs to evaluate the shape of her nipple. The nipple can be convex, then breast sucking for the baby is facilitated. If the nipple is flat or as if internal, the child cannot grab it and sucking becomes problematic. Often babies refuse to suck such a breast, cry constantly and mothers are forced to transfer the baby to artificial feeding. This can be avoided if the breast shape is prepared in advance for feeding.

First you need to determine what shape your nipple is. To do this, gently squeeze it between two fingers. Finger pads should be on the border of the areola. If the nipple jumps out, then it is convex, and if it hides inside, it means it is retracted.

If you have an inverted nipple, you need to carefully pull out the nipple with your hands, as if twisting it around its axis. Do not overdo it - excessive stimulation of the nipples can lead to premature birth.

The pharmacy has special vacuum pads that artificially pull the nipple out. They must be worn for half an hour every day before childbirth. Similar linings will come in handy after childbirth, they will need to be worn 10 minutes before feeding in order to prepare the nipple and facilitate the process of sucking the baby.

How to cook breasts before each feeding

After childbirth, women wonder how to cook their breasts before each feeding. There is no special recipe for preparation, everything should be natural. Some women advise young mothers to wash their breasts before each feeding, so that the nipple is clean. In fact, this is not worth doing. Frequent washing of the nipple, especially with soap or shower gel, greatly dries the delicate skin of the halo. Daily showering is usually enough.

Before feeding the baby, remember the breasts slightly so that the milk is poured stronger and the child is full. During one feeding, the baby needs to be given one breast so that the baby with the front liquid milk quenches thirst, and is satisfied with the back, more fat and thicker milk. So it will be better to gain weight.

Lingerie while breastfeeding

It is very important to pay attention to your underwear during lactation. The bra should be as convenient and comfortable as possible. It is best if it is made from natural breathable fabrics. Choose a bra on wide straps, because the load on the shoulders increases - during feeding, the breast grows by one and a half sizes. Be sure to wear special bras for feeding - they greatly facilitate the process, thanks to the opening nipple.

To get an idea of ​​the upcoming breastfeeding, talk with young women who have had successful breastfeeding experiences. They will tell you how to properly place the baby on the chest, which affects milk production. The emotional component of the question is also important here. Optimistic reviews and pleasant memories of this touching period in a woman’s life will create favorable soil for you. You will look forward to the moment when you can finally put your baby in your chest. And this will be the highest manifestation of love and devotion.

Proper breast preparation for lactation is the basis for successful and painless feeding. Establish breastfeeding and enjoy these innermost moments of happiness and unity with your baby.

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