Breast Care During Pregnancy

Poor placement of the baby may cause cracks and fissures. In addition, the mother must identify what type of nipple she has in order to act on time.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective processes for both the mother and the baby, after childbirth. Also, it is the ideal feeding method for the little one.
Although many women are facilitated by this process, there are others who stop breastfeeding their child because of problems with their nipples.
Therefore, it is so important to know some data from the time of pregnancy and to avoid future problems.

Before delivery ...
While the woman is pregnant, the breasts do not need any preparation for breastfeeding; the general routines of cleanliness and hydration and the appropriate use of a bra that fits the new size of the breasts (one or two more at the end of pregnancy) are sufficient.
"Breast milk is produced more or less from the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy without any stimulus. Once the baby is born, all the birth hormones trigger the production of breastfeeding. Do not do anything different, until the baby is born.
Nipples, on the other hand, do require attention. The first thing that the mother must do is identify what type of nipple she has: normal, flat or inverted. This will help you to recognize it, to know how to act and to avoid problems when breastfeeding. According to María Constanza Castilla, a pediatrician specializing in breastfeeding, "although the success of breastfeeding is in the technique when properly placing the baby in the breast, preparing the nipples helps the skin of these is stronger" .
"The normal nipple is the one that with the stimulus of the cold the point comes out. The plane is the one that nothing happens to the cold, and the inverted, which is what sometimes gives a little more trouble to start breastfeeding, is the one that sinks like a volcano with the sensation of cold, "says Martiis.
According to the expert of the League of milk, when the mother has flat or inverted nipple can be massaged (in the form of a roll), with caution; But if you have a history of miscarriages or premature births, placenta preview or high risk pregnancy, you should avoid them and consult your doctor, as these stimuli could generate contractions.

Care of the nipples
The first step is to know how to properly place the baby in the breast; poor placement will cause fissures and cracks to appear.
According to Martiis, "during pregnancy you do not have to do any preparation. Even, around the aureola, there are small glands that become protuberant during pregnancy and are responsible for producing a secretion that is, on the one hand, lubricant and, on the other, antibacterial. That is, it is the only thing that the nipple needs to stay hydrated and protected against any infection. "
 
However, for Castillo, it is important to keep the skin of the nipple and aureola lubricated "and this can be done with a preparation based on lanolin. It also helps to gently pass a scrub pad during the bath, in order to remove dead cells; It should only be done until week 34 (gestation) and, in any case, it is important to consult with the doctor. Another recommendation is to apply a little red wine daily with a cotton ball and leave it to dry in the air, which helps strengthen the nipple skin. Never apply alcohol or other substances, such as brandy. "

During breastfeeding, it is advisable to apply a few drops of breast milk before and after breastfeeding. The same milk is the best moisturizer and also reduces the risk of infections, adds the pediatrician, a specialist in breastfeeding. It is not advisable to wash the nipples with soap or apply creams.

Please note
❋ The nursing bra should be soft and preferably without rods.
❋ During pregnancy, it is recommended not to sleep on the breasts.
❋ Some moms use protectors inside the bra. These should be changed several times a day to avoid moisture and infections.
❋ Strong nipple exercises that cause contractions should be avoided.