Medical Questions & Answers

Question: Is it necessary to take special care of the breasts after delivery?
In earlier times, it was customary to give the newborn child a preparation consisting of ghee, jaggery and water. Now-a-days, the newborn infant is put to the breast as soon as possible. Care of the breasts, therefore, must be initiated during pregnancy.
The breasts start feeling heavy a few hours after delivery. There is a reason behind this. Whether the delivery has been a normal one or a caesarean, the child should be fed after IV2 - 2 hours of birth. This ensures that the milk flow is quickly activated and is adequate. The breasts too remain light. The child should be given a breast feed whenever it is hungry and cries. Pour hot water on the breasts at bath time. This increases the blood circulation and ensures the free flow of milk.
It is necessary to wear a well fitting brassiere to keep the breasts firm and shapely. The bra should be neither too tight nor too loose. Special feeding bras are also available with front clasps and flaps for convenience while breast feeding.
Pain or tenderness and hardening of the breasts are due to the accumulation of excess milk. This should be gently squeezed out into a cup by massaging the breasts with lubricated fingers. Hard breasts are painful for the mother and make it difficult for the child to suck. The pain is relieved if the child is breast fed after some milk has been extracted. Sometimes, due to infection, swelling, pus formation, or an abscess pain is experienced. The skin covering the breasts may turn reddish and fever too may come on. Consult a doctor if any such signs and symptoms are manifested.

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