In the lactation period, about 80% of women will experience blocked milk ducts, causing breast swelling and pain, reducing milk secretion, and even leading to mastitis. Therefore, mothers must pay attention to the care of their breasts during lactation, as it not only affects the health of the mother but also the severity of feeding the baby. In order to prevent mastitis during lactation, the following points should be noted.
1. Individualized supplementation according to needs
Some mothers may have difficulty in lactation, and their family members may quickly prepare fish soup or pork trotter soup to supplement their bodies. However, this may not be appropriate. First, it is necessary to determine the cause of low milk supply. Is it due to low milk production or blocked milk ducts? It is important to distinguish between true and false low milk supply. In many cases, milk is continuously produced in the breast, but due to the obstruction of the milk ducts, it cannot be discharged smoothly, resulting in the appearance of "insufficient milk", which is false low milk supply. At this time, consuming foods to increase milk supply can only have a negative effect, and can easily lead to acute mastitis.
2. Maintain breast cleanliness
During lactation, you can use gauze soaked in warm water to clean the breasts before breastfeeding, and use warm water to wipe the breasts and nipples clean after breastfeeding. Avoid using chemical products like soap and alcohol to clean the nipples, as they can reduce the local defense capability of the nipples and cause cracking and bacterial infection.
3. Proper breastfeeding
It is recommended to breastfeed on a regular schedule, every 2-3 hours. Alternate breastfeeding from both breasts is ideal to prevent asymmetry. Empty the breasts and avoid milk accumulation. When one breast is enough to feed the baby, use a breast pump to empty the other breast, do not hesitate, because the more you breastfeed, the more milk you produce. Of course, if there is insufficient milk, it can be stored in the refrigerator. After breastfeeding, do not let the baby sleep with the nipple in their mouth, as the baby's saliva contains digestive enzymes that can cause milk to form a cheesy substance, blocking the milk ducts and causing poor drainage and accumulation. The breastfeeding posture should be correct, preferably in a sitting position and avoid lying down. After breastfeeding, hold the baby upright and gently pat their back against the mother's shoulder. This can help the baby release the air swallowed during feeding through burping, preventing regurgitation. Wear a suitable bra after breastfeeding to support the breasts, maintain proper blood circulation in the breasts, and help correct sagging breasts.
4. Breast massage to stimulate lactation
Mothers who have undergone cesarean section often have slow milk production and insufficient milk in the early stages, requiring timely breast massage to stimulate lactation. The massage time should be 20-30 minutes each time, and not too long. If milk expression is not successful in one session, simply increasing the massage time will only increase the likelihood of local swelling. The correct massage technique is to lubricate the skin with petroleum jelly or glycerin before massaging, and slide the fingers from the outer edge of the breast towards the areola several times, then lift and pull the nipple up and down, creating negative pressure under the areola. This simulates the sucking action of a baby. In addition to the stimulation from massage, let the baby suckle after the massage to increase milk ejection reflex. This combined massage and suction action can be more effective and reduce the occurrence of acute mastitis.
5. Maintain a clean environment
Keep emotions stable, avoid anger and irritation. The room temperature and humidity for the mother should be appropriate, generally around 22°C to 24°C, and the indoor air should be fresh. Some people believe that mothers are afraid of drafts and are prone to sweating and catching colds. Therefore, they keep the doors and windows tightly closed, resulting in stagnant indoor air, which is not beneficial to both the mother and the baby. In addition, proper diet, regular bowel movements, and stable emotions are important for the mother. According to traditional Chinese medicine, acute mastitis is caused by stagnation of liver Qi and excessive stomach fire. Stagnant liver Qi can block the milk ducts, and sudden fear or anger can stop lactation. Therefore, maintaining a relaxed mood, stable emotions, and avoiding squeezing or impact on the breasts are very important in preventing mastitis.
Friendly reminder: For milk stasis and swelling, cold compress with an ice pack is recommended instead of hot compress. Do not massage or press randomly.
