During pregnancy, breasts are naturally prepared for lactation, as breast ducts and milk-producing cells develop, as well as increased blood supply to the site, resulting in breast growth during pregnancy.
While this is a natural process, it is important that the pregnant woman also prepares the breast for breast-feeding, taking certain precautions throughout the pregnancy that help avoid problems, such as nipple cracks or cracks. It also helps the preparation of nipples, making them more prominent for lactation.
Therefore, to prepare the breast for breastfeeding, the pregnant woman should:
Breasts and nipples should only be washed with water and should not use soaps or creams. Nipples have a natural hydration that should be maintained during pregnancy, so when soaps or creams are used, this hydration is removed, increasing the risk of nipple cracks.
One tip to keep your nipples hydrated and avoid cracks is to use your own milk as a moisturizer after breast-feeding.
During pregnancy, pregnant women should wear a comfortable cotton bra with wide shoulder straps and good support. Also, it’s important that you don’t have an iron so you don’t hurt your breasts, that you have a zipper to adjust the waist, and that your breasts stay completely inside the bra. The lactation bra can be used from the third trimester for pregnant women to get used and know how to use, before using it for the first time.
Pregnant women should take 15 minutes of sunshine a day on their nipples, but only until 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., as this prevents cracks and cracks in the nipples, which are more resistant. Before sunbathing, the pregnant woman should wear sunscreen on the breasts, except in the areolas and nipples.
For pregnant women who cannot sunbathe, they can use a 40W to 30 cm nipple lamp as an alternative to the sun.
The breasts should be massaged once or twice a day, starting in the 4th month of gestation, to make the nipples more prominent and facilitate the attachment and suction of the baby.
To do the massage, the pregnant woman must hold a breast with both hands, one on each side, and apply pressure on the nipple, about 5 times, then repeat, but with one hand on the top and the other on the bottom.
It is important to aerate the nipples several times during the day, as this allows the skin to breathe, thus preventing the appearance of cracks or fungal infections. Learn about other breast care during pregnancy.
Pregnant women may have inverted nipples, i.e. looking inward, from birth, or they can remain so during pregnancy and breast growth.
In this way, inverted nipples should be stimulated during pregnancy, so that they are turned outwards, facilitating breastfeeding. To stimulate, the pregnant woman can use a syringe and then massage by rotating her nipples. Learn how to breastfeed with inverted nipples.
Other options include nipple correctors, such as the Advent Niplette inverted nipple corrector, or rigid-based shells for nipple preparation that can be purchased at pharmacies or supermarkets.
Other care a pregnant woman should have with her breasts include
These precautions should be maintained throughout pregnancy as they prevent possible nipple injuries. Learn how to solve the most common breastfeeding problems.