Prenatal care: From the 5th to 6th month of pregnancy, it is recommended to regularly wash the breasts with warm water, or wipe the nipples with plant oil or 75% alcohol. This helps remove the tender skin on the nipples, making them tougher and less prone to cracking during breastfeeding after delivery. If there is breast retraction, it is important to regularly pull and twist the inverted nipples outward to make them protrude, which is beneficial for the baby's sucking in the future.
Postpartum care: After delivery, it is important to pay special attention to nutrition, maintain a positive mood, ensure sufficient rest and sleep to promote adequate milk production. Before and after each feeding, it is advisable to clean the nipples with warm water. It is recommended to alternate breastfeeding between both breasts and encourage the baby to empty the milk. If necessary, a breast pump can be used to remove any remaining milk. One-sided breastfeeding can lead to uneven breast size, and milk stasis can reduce milk production, which can develop into mastitis if the milk becomes blocked and infected. Therefore, it is important to seek early treatment if breast swelling, lumps, or poor milk secretion are observed. Traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions such as Angelica, Paeonia lactiflora, Manis pentadactyla, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Citrus reticulata, Sparganium stoloniferum, Codonopsis pilosula, and Astragalus membranaceus can be used under the guidance of a doctor, in the form of decoction. In the case of acute mastitis, prompt medical attention is necessary to avoid delay in treatment.
Weaning care: Weaning should be gradually introduced when the baby is around 10 months old. When reducing breastfeeding and experiencing breast engorgement, it is important to express out the milk. Traditional Chinese medicine can be used topically to help with weaning. After successful weaning, it is recommended for mothers to engage in moderate physical exercises such as walking, doing aerobics, playing table tennis, badminton, etc., to promote faster recovery and elasticity of the breasts.
Cracked nipple care: Cracked nipples refer to the dryness and cracking of the nipples due to various factors in women, especially during lactation, which can directly affect breastfeeding. In addition to the aforementioned methods to protect the nipples during pregnancy and postpartum, if nipple cracking occurs, Yunnan Baiyao powder or ice borax can be applied. After routine local cleaning, take an appropriate amount of the product and mix it with a small amount of sesame oil to form a paste. Apply it to the cracked nipples 2-3 times a day for 2-3 consecutive days. Alternatively, take 10 grams each of Angelica, Scutellaria baicalensis, Gardenia jasminoides, and Coptis chinensis, and 30 grams of processed Rehmannia glutinosa. Soak them in 500 grams of edible sesame oil for 3 days, then simmer over low heat until the herbs are charred and dry. Remove the residue and mix it with 150 grams of yellow wax. Store it in a cool place. Apply the ointment to the cracked nipples twice a day for 2-3 consecutive days.
