- 1. Wash the breast with water only
- 2. Wear your own bra
- 3. Sunbathe on your nipples every day
- 4. Massage the breasts
- 5. Airing the nipples
- 6. Stimulate inverted nipples
- Other breast care
During pregnancy, the breasts are naturally prepared for breastfeeding, since the development of the mammary ducts and milk-producing cells takes place, in addition to greater blood supply in the area, causing the breasts to grow throughout pregnancy.
Despite being a natural process, it is important for pregnant women to also prepare the breast for breastfeeding, adopting some precautions throughout the pregnancy that help to avoid problems, such as cracks or fissures in the nipple. Preparing the nipples, making them more prominent for breastfeeding also helps.
Thus, to prepare the breast for breastfeeding, the pregnant woman must:
1. Wash the breast with water only
Breasts and nipples should be washed with water only, and should not use soaps or creams. The nipples have a natural hydration that must be maintained during pregnancy, so when soaps or creams are used, this hydration is removed, increasing the risk of nipple cracks.
A tip to keep your nipples hydrated and prevent cracking is to use your own milk as a moisturizer after breastfeeding.
2. Wear your own bra
During pregnancy, the pregnant woman should wear a bra that is comfortable, made of cotton, with wide straps and good support. In addition, it is important that you do not have iron to not hurt your breasts, that you have a zipper to adjust the size and that the breasts are completely inside the bra. The breastfeeding bra can be used from the third trimester for the pregnant woman to get used to it and know how to use it, before using it for the first time.
3. Sunbathe on your nipples every day
The pregnant woman should take 15 minutes of sun per day on her nipples, but only until 10 am or after 4 pm, as this helps to prevent cracking and cracks in the nipples, which are more resistant. Before sunbathing, the pregnant woman should put sunscreen on her breasts, except on the areolas and nipples.
For pregnant women who cannot sunbathe, they can use a 40 W lamp 30 cm away from the nipples as an alternative to the sun.
4. Massage the breasts
The breasts should be massaged 1 or 2 times a day, from the 4th month of gestation, to make the nipples more prominent and to facilitate the baby's holding and sucking the milk.
To do the massage, the pregnant woman must hold one breast with both hands, one on each side, and apply pressure to the nipple, about 5 times, and then repeat, but with one hand on top and the other on the bottom.
5. Airing the nipples
It is important to air the nipples several times during the day, as this allows the skin to breathe, preventing the appearance of cracks or fungal infections. Get to know other breast care during pregnancy.
6. Stimulate inverted nipples
Pregnant women may have their nipples inverted, that is, turned inward, since birth or they may stay that way with pregnancy and breast growth.
In this way, the inverted nipples must be stimulated during pregnancy, so that they are turned outwards, facilitating breastfeeding. To stimulate, the pregnant woman can use a syringe and then she must massage, rotating the nipples. Learn how to breastfeed with inverted nipples.
Other options are nipple correctors, such as Avent's Niplette Inverted Nipple Corrector, or the rigid base shells for nipple preparation that can be purchased at pharmacies or supermarkets.
Other breast care
Other care that a pregnant woman should take with her breasts includes:
- Do not use ointments, moisturizers or other products on the areola or nipple; Do not rub the nipples with a sponge or towel; Do not shower the nipples; Do not express milk with your hands or a pump, which can come out before delivery.
These precautions must be maintained throughout pregnancy, as they prevent possible nipple injuries. See how to solve the most common breastfeeding problems.
