Overview
| How to start |
Benefits | Signs
of good breast-feeding | Positions
Storing of Breast-milk
| Combating problems
| Drugs
and Breast-Milk
Helpful hints | Resources
| Organizations &
Websites
Combating
Problems
Breast
engorgement:
Breast engorgement is part of breast-feeding if mother is
producing milk well. Engorgement may make latch on difficult
and can cause pain and discomfort for the mother. In order
to relieve engorgement, pumping may be necessary to soften
the breast. This can be done with an electric or manual pulp
or with your hands. The breast-milk can be stored for future
use.
Sore
Nipples:
Typically this is due to poor latch on or friction on the
nipple from tight clothing. Sore nipples can be very painful.
Be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing. A breast pad may be
helpful. 100% lanolin cream will provide some relief. Clean
sore nipples after each feeding with water and coat the nipple
with breast-milk or lanolin. Do not use alcohol or soap as
they can cause drying and cracking. Technique should be reviewed
and latch on should include both the nipple and areola. Begin
feeding on the less sore nipple as babies are more vigorous
at first and the milk let down will be established by the
time of the feeding on the sore breast. If nothing helps,
limit breast-feeding to ten minutes on the sore side, or pump
instead of nursing on the sore side.
Plugged
Ducts:
There are multiple ducts inside the breast and they become
plugged. This may be due to incomplete emptying of the breast.
A plugged duct needs to be relieved in order to prevent the
development of infection. Increasing nursing on the plugged
breast, applying heat, messaging the breast, avoiding tight-fitting
clothing, and sleeping on your side to use gravity to promote
milk flow can all help to do this.
When
Not to Breast Feed:
There are certain instances where it is not safe to breast-feed
a baby. Although not many, it is important to know these restrictions.
These include maternal infection with HIV I, HIV II, Human
T-Lymphotrophic Virus (HTLV I and II), active tuberculosis,
and active herpes simplex virus (HSV I) lesions on the breast.
Any drugs of abuse should preclude breast-feeding, as they
will reach the same concentration in the infant as in the
mother. Also certain prescribed drugs can preclude breast-feeding.
See the section on drugs and breast milk for a complete list.
Drugs
and Breast Milk:
There are many reasons for a mother to be prescribed medications.
Some of these medicines can cause problems in a breast-feeding
baby. The first option for a mother is to avoid any drugs
unless absolutely necessary. For example, don't use an antibiotic
for a viral infection - use a humidifier and saline drops
for the common cold, and use heat and message for muscle pain.
If medicine can be postponed without danger to the mother,
then do that. When taking medicines that are absolutely necessary
try to ask for the ones that cannot be absorbed into the blood
stream, such as a nasal spray for a cold, instead of an oral
cold medicine. Also try to use medicines that are known to
be safe for breast-feeding. If an unsafe for breast-feeding
medicine is necessary, use as short a course as possible and
pump and discard the milk during the course of medicine. In
worse case situations, breast-feeding must be stopped.
Overview
| How to start |
Benefits | Signs
of good breast-feeding | Positions
Storing of Breast-milk
| Combating problems
| Drugs
and Breast-Milk
Helpful hints | Resources
| Organizations &
Websites
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