10 Tips for Breast Care

Pregnancy is a time of changes for women at all levels, from the most obvious, such as physical changes, to invisible hormonal ones. If you plan on breastfeeding, here are some ways to take care your breasts in preparation for your feeding journey. 

Exercise is always good

Performing physical activities that help strengthen the pectoral muscles, such as swimming, yoga or pilates, are more than advisable to strengthen the muscles in the area. Exercise helps tone the skin and promotes firm breasts. In addition, it is advisable to wear a comfortable bra (preferably cotton) and with wide straps, in order to be able to adapt to the continuous changes in bust size with each feeding.

Creams & Moisturizers

From the beginning of pregnancy , it is important to apply creams rich in vitamin E and rosehip oil to the chest. These types of ingredients have properties that prevent the appearance of stretch marks as a result of increased breast size. On the other hand, creams rich in lanolin are suitable for preventing cracks due to their moisturizing and emollient qualities.

Special attention during breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, it is advisable to be alert to the painful sensation of “prickling”, which is usually a symptom that the baby is not positioned well. At that point, the most practical thing is to remove the child from the breast and start again. To facilitate this, a finger should be inserted into the corners of the baby's lips, with the aim of breaking the vacuum that the child creates when sucking. If the problems persist, consider going to a midwife or lactation consultant to check the latch.

It is important to alternate breasts with each feeding to keep up milk supply in both and prevent engorgement. 

10 Tips for Breast Care:

1. Apply creams rich in vitamin E and rosehip oil from the beginning of pregnancy
2. Exercise the pectoral muscles during pregnancy and after childbirth.
3. Use a suitable, comfortable, cotton bra with wide straps.
4. Clean the breasts only with water and finish the showers by toning them with fresh water, so as not to eliminate the fat secreted by the Montgomery glands, which has lubricating and antibacterial properties.
5. Offer the breast to the baby from the beginning, to cause milk to rise, and promote good latching to avoid cracks and or mastitis.
6. Use creams rich in lanolin, in case the nipples are dry
7. Use milk secreted on the nipples if there are no wounds or mastitis, and the areola for its anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory components.
8. Alternate breasts with each feeding to keep up milk supply and prevent engorgement 
9. If the baby has to be removed from the nipple, it is important to undo the vacuum first.
10. The nipples should be well ventilated and should never be exposed to the sun for prolonged periods. If nursing pads are used, they should have maximum breathability.

We hope that these tips are useful to you when it comes to keeping your chest healthy and cared for.

How was it in your case? Do you have any recommendations? Go ahead and tell us your experience, it can always help a new mother.