Your breasts are the only source of your baby's food for the first six months if you plan to breastfeed exclusively. If you decide to keep on breastfeeding for a year or two, that's even more work for your breasts. Here are some tips to help you take good care of them and avoid common breastfeeding problems.
? Clean them daily with warm water and towel.
? Apply your breast milk and let it your breasts air dry after feeding to avoid cracked nipples.
? If you use disposable breast pads, remove them when they get wet. If you prefer reusable pads, keep the pads and your bras clean to prevent infection.
? Try to either breastfeed or express the milk when your breasts are full to avoid engorgement. Putting cabbage leaves on your swollen breasts is a common home remedy to relieve the pain that comes from breast engorgement
? Avoid tight bras or clothes as this may cause discomfort and even more serious problems such as blocked ducts.
? If you feel hard and painful lumps on your breast, that is most likely a blocked milk duct. But if it is accompanied by fever and flu like symptoms and/or your breasts are inflamed, that is most likely a breast infection, otherwise known as mastitis.
It is advisable to seek medical attention when problems occur but you can relieve the pain by massaging the affected breast gently. Both problems are caused when the breast milk is not drained adequately. Therefore, avoid feeding from one breast only and get your child to latch on properly.
