The most active growth of the breast is observed in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy and is closer to childbirth. As a result, the size of the breast by the time of delivery can increase several times. The cause of the changes are hormones: estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen promotes the development of milk ducts and glands, and progesterone - glandular tissue, it also causes breast engorgement.
Nipples
The nipples of the future mother can also vary, they become more prominent, acquire a relief appearance, small nodules may appear on their rim. Nipples and skin around them often darken due to the action of hormones melanotsida, affecting pigmentation. On the chest itself, a venous mesh can be visible, which becomes less visible after the end of breastfeeding.
Colostrum
By the 6th-7th month of pregnancy, discharge from the breast may appear. They are called colostrum and are the precursors of high-grade milk. Colostrum usually comes out in small drops, has a clear, whitish or yellowish color. And again, all the reason - hormones: towards the end of the second trimester in the body of the woman begins to be produced oxytocin, which contributes to the flow of milk into the ducts. Do not worry if the colostrum does not develop at all. Women, who did not get it during pregnancy, still have enough milk to feed the baby.
Preparing the breast for feeding
- Not all women preparing for the birth of a child feel it necessary to look into the mammologist's office. But in vain. Consultation of such a specialist is necessary for all future mothers. The doctor will tell not only how to take care of the breast during pregnancy, but also teach how to prevent lactostasis and how to avoid nipple injuries during the upcoming feeding. And most importantly - to undergo a mammological examination in order to exclude pathology. After all, a small and most harmless neoplasm in the breast during pregnancy can grow.
- To ensure that when nipples are not covered with cracks and not inflamed, it is desirable to strengthen their skin during pregnancy. The best way is to pour the chest with cold water. You can also try to wipe the nipples with ice cubes. Other, individual ways of preparing nipples for feeding can be obtained from the doctor who leads the pregnancy. School attendance of expectant mothers and preparation courses for childbirth and feeding can be already from the 5th month of pregnancy. Experienced teachers will tell future moms all about lactation and how to avoid some difficulties in breastfeeding.
- Breast during pregnancy is recommended daily to be washed with warm water or wipe with a damp towel. It will help to keep the shape of the breast and its elasticity contrast massage - alternately warm and cool water from the shower under pressure. Direct the jet to the mammary gland and drive it around the nipple mug throughout the chest: clockwise on the left breast and counterclockwise on the right breast. You can simultaneously do a circular massage with a washcloth with shower gel. If you are concerned about discharge from the nipples, use special napkins or pads that you can buy at any pharmacy. If the skin on the chest has become dry and sensitive, give up the hot shower. After washing, apply moisturizing or nutritious products to the skin of the breast.
- Use creams that strengthen the chest. The composition of these cosmetics must include silicone and vitamin E. Already formed stretch marks will not be removed, but prevent their appearance. Therefore, the earlier you start using them, the better. Cosmeticians are advised to apply them even a few months before the planned pregnancy, while the body has not changed metabolism and hormonal restructuring has not started.
- Do gymnastics. The simplest and most effective exercise that allows pregnant women to keep their breasts in good shape: connect your hands in front of your chest, with exhalation, force them against each other, count to five, then relax. Repeat the exercise 10-15 times.
- Because of breast enlargement, the skin suffers - it does not withstand such loads, connective tissue breaks. After birth, glandular tissue returns to its size, and the skin remains stretched. The result is stretch marks (striae). They come in white, silver and even purple hues - the color depends on whether the striae are filled with blood vessels or not.
- To prevent streas during pregnancy, rub the cream from the stretch marks 1-2 times a day in circular motions, slightly pressing on the mammary gland. If you tolerate aromatherapy well, massage with a mixture of 40 ml of hazelnut oil, goo oil of rose hips and 20 drops of red mandarin essential oil.
- The breast does not tolerate hot water! If you want to achieve the effect of "sconces" (instant pull-up), take a cool shower, then apply a cream with tightening ingredients. They form an elastic film on the skin - a "frame".
- Care products must be applied following the exact technique. On the decollete - on the outer radius from the base of the chest movements that resemble the figure eight. On the neck area - two movements down from two sides towards the heart with the entire palm and one movement up to the chin in the center.
Lactostasis
The first few weeks of breastfeeding a baby can be difficult for an inexperienced mother. If the woman after birth is difficult to outflow of milk (which is quite common), it is possible to develop a disease such as lactostasis, in another - stagnant milk. There are several reasons for this disease: increased milk production, insufficient emptying of the breast (refusal to breastfeed or irregular feeding), narrow mammary ducts, trauma, breast supercooling, stress and fatigue. Lactostasis is usually accompanied by painful sensations in the mammary glands, the breasts are evenly bruised, and when they are probed, seals can be found in some of its parts. In such cases, the doctor recommends that the woman limit the intake of fluids (not more than 1 liter per day) and perform regular expression before and after feeding. Try to express the milk with both hands, paying special attention to the places where it hurts - it is there that milk stagnation. Before decantation, massage the breast well from the hardened area to the areola, carefully working the seals. After feeding the baby, express the milk to the "soft" breast.
Cracked nipples
As a rule, the cause of inflammation and cracks in the nipples is an incorrect application of the baby to the breast: uncomfortably located near the breast, he begins to nibble the nipple, which causes mum pain. Usually there is no need to take breaks in feeding. After your baby has eaten, lubricate the nipples with special creams or oils. Do not wash your chest with soap - it removes protective fat from the skin, which promotes the formation of cracks. It is also recommended to use breast pads that absorb leaking milk and do not allow it to dry out on the nipples.
Mastitis
This disease occurs when infection enters the milk ducts (most often through the nipple cracks that formed during feeding). If mastitis begins to heal in time, then surgery can be avoided. The mammologist appoints antibiotics and carefully expresses the milk. In this case, you do not need to stop feeding. If the process spreads, and a purulent infection joins, then surgical intervention is necessary. Feeding should be stopped, as pus enters the milk. In this case, breast pumps are used to express the milk. Prevention of mastitis is compliance with the hygiene of feeding the child: the purity of the mother's hands, nipples, proper attachment to the breast and regular expression of breast milk. All of the above diseases are not "inherited": if you are faced with such problems with feeding with the first baby, it is not necessary to repeat them when breastfeeding the second child.
Pumping
Some mammologists are convinced that this procedure should be carried out as prevention of lactostasis and mastitis after each feeding, especially in the first 2-3 months after the birth of the baby. Some doctors believe that regular expression interferes with the self-regulation of breastfeeding and disrupts the natural course of this process, and also leads to hyperlactation. When decanting is really necessary:
- To maintain lactation, if the mother, due to some circumstances, can not temporarily breastfeed the baby. It is recommended in this situation to express 6 times a day, each breast for 10-15 minutes.
- If mum needs to leave the child and leave him milk for the time of his absence.
- When lactostasis occurs. With the active arrival of milk, when the baby is already full, and my mother feels that the breast is still full. Or in a situation where the child does not want to suck, for example, is fast asleep, but the woman has expressed unpleasant sensations in the chest. The need for expressing is determined by the breastfeeding consultant! If there is no indication for expressing breast milk with the help of breast pumps, it is better to conduct it manually. Place your hand on the chest, near the border of the areola, so that the thumb is above the others. Press your hand against the chest, while simultaneously bringing together the thumb and index finger. Keep your fingers only on the areola and do not slip on the nipple. When a trickle of milk appears, rhythmically repeat this movement, fingers in a circle to grasp all the milk ducts. Repeat this procedure with a second breast, first massaging it.
Breast Pump
The device for expressing breast milk. There are two types: manual and electric. Hand-made is a glass tube with a rubber pear on one end and an extension for the nipple on the second. When using a woman, you need to squeeze the rubber bulb to get air out of it, make sure that the glass tightly covers the skin of the chest, release the pear (the nipple will automatically retract into the inside). After you squeeze and open the pear several times, the milk will begin to flow and gather in the bulge on the side of the tube. Take it from your chest to pour out the milk, and continue pumping. An electric breast pump, often used in hospitals, simulates physiological sucking. However, through such a breast pump, infection can easily be transmitted, especially when several women use it at the same time. The use of breast pumps is relevant in case of painful breast engorgement during the process of expression - it stimulates lactation and is a preventive and treatment of breastfeeding disorders.
Absorbent gaskets
They are designed to absorb the milk that is released from the woman in the breaks between the feedings. They are thin enough, they have an anatomical shape, they are perfectly inserted into the cups and are invisible under the underwear. Inserts have a non-slip outer layer with an adhesive tape that does not allow them to move, and a depression for the nipple. Each disposable panty liner is placed in an individual sterile package.
Molokosborniki
They are plastic caps with a diameter under the areola and recess for the nipple, which are placed in the bra. An excellent option for those mothers who have milk between the feeds and who want to save it, then to feed the baby. For this, the milk separators must be sterilized before use.
Breast protection pads
Silicone or latex products, repeating the shape of the nipple and okolososkovogo mug, with holes in the cavity for the nipple, through which the baby sucks milk. They are used in cases when for any reason the feeding of the baby at the breast is impossible or very difficult: for example, when the baby weakly sucks or when the nipples are flat or drawn. Use this accessory with caution and only if necessary: the child can get used to the artificial substitute for the nipple and never learn to suckle properly. In addition, stimulation of the breast through the lining is not so effective, which can gradually lead to a reduction in the amount of milk.
Breastfeeding bra
Has a detachable upper part of the cup, so that the mother can feed the baby without taking off the underwear. To properly choose a postpartum bra, follow our advice:
- composition: cotton - up to 40%, the rest - elastic synthetics (for night bras - cotton up to 80%);
- it should support the breast well during movement. To do this, move a little in the fitting room, raise and lower your hands, sit down. The bra should not creep up the back, the chest - go beyond the edges of the cups, shoulder straps - crash into the shoulders;
- check for a multi-level fastener;
- Calculate the volume of the cup so that hygienic absorbent pads and milkcaps are placed in it;
- It is good if the nursing bra is easily unfastened with one hand;
- During fitting, be sure to unbutton the cup and check to see if the straps are slipping. Now we know which breast should be in pregnancy.