How should I care for my breasts after giving birth?
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Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:Whether you are breastfeeding or using formula, you should support your breasts by wearing a well-fitting bra. If you are breastfeeding, massage your breast milk into your nipples after nursing, and allow your nipples to air-dry. If you are using formula, your breasts may feel painful or engorged when they are full with milk. For relief, apply an ice pack such as a bag of frozen vegetables under your arms and along the sides of your breasts for 20 to 30 minutes several times a day. Do not apply heat or face the spray of hot water when taking a shower. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed. If there are areas on either breast that are red, hot, or tender, and you have a fever over 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit, call your doctor.Whether you are breastfeeding or using formula, you should support your breasts by wearing a well-fitting bra. If you are breastfeeding, massage your breast milk into your nipples after nursing, and allow your nipples to air-dry. If you are... More -
Joan Connors of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:Care for the breasts after childbirth is directly related to whether or not the mother will breastfeed. Breastfeeding care involves stimulating milk production. Nursing every two hours and allow the breasts to airdry. Making sure the infant properly "attaches" to the breast will prevent many complications related to breastfeeding.
For the woman that chooses not to breastfeed care will take the opposite approach. Wearing a snug bra continuously and avoiding any nipple stimulation. Applying cool compresses might relieve discomfort and turning away from the water while taking a shower will prevent stimulation.
Medications used in the past to dry the milk glands are no longer used due to complications.
Care for the breasts after childbirth is directly related to whether or not the mother will breastfeed. Breastfeeding care involves stimulating milk production. Nursing every two hours and allow the breasts to airdry. Making sure the... More
