Postpartum breast care for nursing mothers

  After 280 days of gestation, the baby is finally born, and the main job of the pregnant mother is to feed the baby. Half an hour after the delivery of the placenta, the anterior pituitary gland secretes a large amount of lactogen, which acts on the alveolar membrane of the mammary gland to promote the synthesis of various components of milk, such as, lactose and triglycerides. Thus, milk is stored in the alveoli of the mammary gland. After the baby sucks on the nipple, the pituitary gland produces lactogen and oxytocin through a series of complex reactions due to the stimulation of sensory nerve endings in the nipple. Oxytocin acts on the myoepithelial cells of the milk ducts and on the muscle cells surrounding the breast, thus transporting the milk originally stored in the alveoli to the outlet of the milk ducts and into the baby’s mouth.    The prolactin reflex is more likely to be facilitated or hindered by the mother’s thoughts and emotions. A mother’s good mood and confidence in her ability to breastfeed can promote the reflex; images and sounds of the baby and the mother’s touching and caressing of the baby elicit feelings of affection from the mother and are also conducive to the establishment of this reflex. Conversely, feelings of worry or fear, pain or distress, and doubts about one’s ability to feed can inhibit the reflex and prevent the flow of milk.  Do breast care before each feeding in four steps: Hot compress: use a hot towel on the breast for 2-3 minutes; Patting: gently pat in a clockwise direction for 2-3 minutes; Massage: use the large or small fissure of your hand to massage from the outer quadrant of the breast in a clockwise direction. Massage each breast for 2-3 minutes; Shake: hold the nipple and shake it for 2-3 minutes.  After this treatment, the milk will be discharged smoothly when the areola and nipple are pinched separately by the thumb and index finger and squeezed in the direction of the sternum.  When breastfeeding, you have to prevent your breasts from getting too big and too small, and you have to eat one side and then the other during each breastfeeding, and rotate them during the next feeding. If you suck the left side first, you should suck the right side first for the next feeding, so that each side has time to empty and lactate equally, and both sides will be the same size. If you always eat only this side first, this side of the lactation will be more and more, the breast will be bigger and bigger, the formation of bilateral breast size is not the same.  The main reason for this is the incorrect position of the baby when sucking on the breast. The actual fact is that you can’t just take in the nipple, but most of the areola and nipple. The new mother will be able to apply some of her own milk to her nipples after she finishes eating, which will not cause nipple cracking, nor will it cause pain to the mother’s nipples when the baby sucks.  There are also new mothers who like to breastfeed lying down, when the strain on the breast is greater. The actual fact that the baby fell asleep after sucking on the milk should make it a habit to yank out the nipple after sucking on the milk and not to suck on the nipple to sleep. After breastfeeding, you should wear a cotton bra to support your breasts and prevent them from sagging due to breastfeeding.  Massage is an effective way to promote breast health and beauty. Massage can effectively stimulate the breasts, increase local blood circulation, promote breast development, prevent breast sagging, and make the breasts plump and elastic. Generally we first clockwise, then counterclockwise, two-way alternating massage, to the skin slightly red and hot, such as conditions can be better with massage breast effect.  During the menstrual period you can eat more food containing gliadin and cholesterol, which is conducive to the development of milk and breast. Such as: pig’s feet, cow’s feet, chicken feet, chicken wings, turtle and animal protein, these foods will make the breasts firm. Vitamins A, B and E have a role in promoting breast development, and foods containing vitamin C, such as fruits and vegetables, can make the breasts healthy and beautiful.    By taking good care of our breasts, we can make our children achieve exclusive breastfeeding and make our children healthy, smart and beautiful.