Breast Care Postpartum

 Immediately Postpartum
Your breast will not be engorged.  If you squeeze them you may not see anything come out, especially if you are a first time mom.  However, they begin to produce colostrum immediately. If breast milk is called liquid gold, this is liquid platinum.  Colostrum inoculates your baby’s intestine.  This inoculation will help them throughout life avoid obesity, digestive illness, and strengthens their immune system.  In addition, it is super packed with fat calories, so a little provides a lot of nourishment.
 
Fat is a theme in breast milk production and composition.  The main organ developing postpartum in the baby is the brain.  Brains NEED fat. Your baby’s brain is 60% fat: fat coats every nerve and is essential in cell development and function.
 
Your milk will come in 3-5 days postpartum.  The best breastfeeding advice is to feed the baby when he wants.  Do not follow a schedule. There is no fear of spoiling or overfeeding.  The demands of the baby are building your milk supply. Feed as often as possible to build a good milk supply and relieve engorgement.
 
Most important factors determining milk production:
1.    How often you nurse.  Nurse on demand to build your supply.  When baby is hungry nurse, even if you just did.  Do not use a pacifier.  You want the baby to nurse to stimulate milk production.
2.    Hydrate. 10-12 glasses of water is your goal.  You should be going pee about every 2 hours. Mother’s milk tea is also a helpful herbal support to build your milk supply.
3.    Rest. Rest. Rest.  When baby sleeps, you sleep.  Sleep as much as you can.  It helps your breast, recovery, and protects you from depletion.
 
Also, use nipple cream immediately, Lansinoh is our recommended brand.  If you find yourself engorged to the point baby can not latch on, take a warm shower massaging your breast to expel some of the milk.  Take strokes with your open palm from the chest to the nipple all around the breast.
 
Breast massage during nursing and while showering will also alleviate plugged ducts.  Sometimes milk gets stuck in the milk ducts.  Massaging the breast will make sure they empty completely as the baby nursed.  If you notice a hard part of your breast, gently massage it to release the milk.
 
Give your breast extra love daily with a massage of sunflower oil.  This will build the skin and keep the breast supple.