Meeting the demands of a baby can make it challenging to care for yourself. The basics of good health, eating well, drinking plenty of fluids and getting enough rest are always important for good health, and equally so when you are feeding and caring for your baby.
Here are some of the ways you can stay healthy while nursing:
Eat and drink well.
Rest well.
Like eating well, getting enough rest is necessary to give you energy. Feeling tired is a normal response to giving birth and adjusting to new responsibilities at a time when your hormone levels are adjusting from pregnancy to a post-pregnancy state.
New moms feel tired for many other reasons too, such as:
Increase your amount of rest by:
Everything you consume may be passed to your baby through your breast milk. While you are nursing, it’s best to:
There are several things you can do to avoid common problems associated with breastfeeding.
To prevent sore or cracked nipples:
Some nipple soreness can be normal in the early days of breastfeeding but it should typically go away once your milk comes in and you and your baby have learned to breastfeed. One of the most important ways to prevent sore nipples is to make sure your baby is positioned and latched-on well at the breast. If you have intense nipple pain or soreness that does not go away, it can mean that some adjustments to positioning and latch need to be made. It’s best to get help from a breastfeeding professional in your community – a public health nurse, a lactation consultant, your doctor or midwife. Another good resource is your local La Leche League chapter.
If you do have cracked nipples and you are working on adjusting the positioning and latch, you might find some relief by expressing a few drops of breast milk and gently rubbing them on your nipples after nursing. Some women find that applying a small amount of lanolin after feeding helps. To promote healing, it is best to avoid washing your nipples with soap (it dries the skin) and avoid using lotions and creams on your nipples, unless recommended by your health care provider. Keep the nipples dry between feeds by using cotton nursing pads, avoiding synthetic ones.
To prevent blocked milk ducts and mastitis:
If you notice a firm lump in your breast that hurts when you touch it, and you do not have a fever, you may have a blocked or plugged milk duct. If you have a firm and tender lump on your breast and you also have a fever and/or flu-like symptoms, you may have a breast infection – mastitis. With mastitis, the breast is also often red, hot and swollen. If you think you have mastitis you should contact your doctor or midwife as soon as possible; in some cases, anti-biotic treatment needs to be started as soon as possible.
Both Thismastitis and blocked ducts can happen when milk doesn't drain from the breast adequately. This can happen if there are persistent problems with the baby latching on, if the baby is feeding infrequently or missing feeds, if you feed from one breast more often than the other, or if there is pressure on your breast from tight fitting clothing or a restrictive bra.
For both blocked ducts and mastitis it’s best to care for your breasts with heat and gentle massage. It’s important to get lots of rest, and above all, feed frequently, particularly on the affected side. You can continue nursing, and in fact, it helps to continue nursing if you have blocked ducts.
Here are some self-care tips:
To prevent mastitis
If untreated, plugged ducts may lead to mastitis, a breast infection. You may notice flu-like symptoms like fever, chills and headache. Your breast may be red and hot to touch. Talk to a health care professional about how to treat mastitis. You can avoid mastitis by:
If you need help with breastfeeding, talk to your doctor, midwife or a public health nurse or check out the supports for new mothers in your community. Lactation consultants specialize in breastfeeding support and are found in most cities.
Where Can I Go For More Information?
This FAQ may provide medical information, but is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice. When you have questions about your health, it is always advisable to ask a health care practitioner.
Revised September 2013.
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