Breast care before and after breastfeeding

The baby loves mom's natural scent most; it helps him/her find the nipple, latch on more easily and suckle more actively. During the lactation period, it is not recommended to use baths and body foams with an intense scent, especially in the breast area.

Breast hygiene is maintained in the same way as whole body hygiene, by showering once a day with a neutral soap. Breasts, especially nipples, should not be washed before breastfeeding. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before breastfeeding, squeeze a few drops of milk from the breasts and spread it on the nipples and areolas so that the baby can smell and taste the milk.

If problems occur before breastfeeding, if the breasts are heavy, swollen, engorged and full of milk, a combination of warm compresses and breast massage before breastfeeding and pumping is recommended, in order to make it easier for the baby to latch on the breast. If the breasts remain full even after breastfeeding, it is necessary to express milk. After breastfeeding, squeeze a few drops of milk and spread it on the nipples and areolas again, and leave them to air dry. Apply cold compresses after breastfeeding/expressing (about 15 minutes), the compress will reduce pain and milk flow. If the nipple skin is damaged during breastfeeding, if the damaged area bleeds, spare that breast from breastfeeding for 1-2 days. During this time, empty the breast regularly by hand expression every 2-3 hours. Give baby milk with a teaspoon, cup or syringe. You can also apply hypoallergenic modified lanolin on the nipples. Silicone nipple shields and shells can sometimes help.

Breastfeeding should not hurt.