How to prepare the breast for feeding

Breastfeeding is so important in all respects that it should be approached with great care. Breastfeeding produces a natural immunity in the child, protects against allergens, nourishes with vitamins. In addition, attaching the baby to the chest binds mother and child with a powerful emotional thread. In order for this process to be painless, pleasant and comfortable, the breast for nursing needs to be prepared before the baby is born.

How to prepare the breast for feeding before delivery

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

1. Friction. Rub the nipples with a towel for five minutes. This slightly stiffens the skin of the nipples and makes it stronger. If rubbing your 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 a bra at the level of the nipples. Such a relaxed and light friction during the long and regular wearing of underwear will perfectly prepare the breast for feeding.
2. Compresses. To make the nipples slightly rough, and the skin becomes less sensitive, you can make compresses from black tea or oak bark. Brew strong black tea and moisten cotton pads in it. Apply wet cotton pads to your chest, cover with a wrap on top and put on a bra. Leave a compress of black tea for 15-20 minutes. Oak bark can be used instead of tea. The bark is crushed and poured boiling water, languishing over low heat, and then insist for several more hours. From the warm broth make a compress for nipples. Oak bark and black tea contain a large amount of tannins in their composition, which make the skin of the nipples more rough, firm and elastic.
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 easy to suck the baby. The massage should consist of stroking, patting and pinching movements. First, massage the skin around the nipple with circular light pressure. Then rub the mammary gland from the armpit to the side of the nipple with two hands. After that, lightly press the top and bottom of the breast, as if we want to express the milk. All these movements should not bring pain or discomfort - all gently, gently, delicately. Massage should be done every day starting two months before the expected date of birth.
4. Hardening. This is a constant component of nipple preparation for feeding. To make the skin not so thin and vulnerable, the nipple needs to be hardened. For a start, you can hold air baths. Walk for a while without laundry at home or in nature. But be careful - it is undesirable to expose the nipples in direct sunlight. Along with air baths, it is possible to conduct water quenching. Every day after a shower, send a stream of warm or cool water to the nipples. Gradually, every day, as the skin becomes accustomed to cold water, reduce the temperature by one degree.Do not overdo it with cold water, do not lose your common sense.

How to prepare a breast shape for feeding

We are all different, like our figures, faces and souls. Similarly, the shape of the nipple of each woman has its own characteristics. Before birth, a woman needs to evaluate the shape of her nipple. The nipple can be convex, then sucking the breast for the baby is easier. If the nipple is flat or internal, the child cannot grasp it and sucking becomes problematic. Often, babies refuse to suck such a breast, constantly crying and mothers are forced to transfer the child to artificial feeding. This can be avoided if you prepare in advance the shape of the breast for feeding.

First you need to determine what form your nipple. To do this, gently hold it between two fingers. The pads should be on the areola border. If at the same time the nipple jumped out, it means it is convex, and if it hid inside, it means that it was retracted.

If you have a nipple retracted, you need to gently pull the nipple with your hands, as if twisting it around its axis. Don't overdo it - excessive nipple stimulation can lead topremature birth.

The pharmacy has special vacuum linings that artificially pull the nipple out. They need to be worn for half an hour every day before giving birth. Such linings will be useful even after childbirth, they will need to be worn 10 minutes before feeding to prepare the nipple and facilitate the process of sucking the baby.

How to prepare the breast before each feeding

After giving birth, women are wondering how to prepare the breast 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 it. Frequent washing of the nipple, especially with soap or shower gel, strongly dries the delicate skin of the halo. Taking a shower every day is usually enough.

Before feeding the baby, slightly remember the breast so that the milk will flow more strongly and the baby will eat. During one feeding, the baby needs to be given one breast so that the baby can quench his thirst with the front liquid milk, and be fed with back, fatter and thick milk. So it will be better to gain weight.

Lingerie during breastfeeding

It is very important during lactation to pay attention to your underwear. A bra should be as comfortable 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 - in the period of feeding the breast grows by one and a half size. Be sure to wear special bras for feeding - they are much easier process, thanks to the opening nipple.

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

Proper preparation of the breast for the lactation period is the basis of a successful and painless feeding. Adjust breastfeeding and enjoy these intimate moments of happiness and unity with your baby.

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