Helpful tips for breastfeeding mothers

Massage

Breast massage is a useful technique to stimulate letdown and to help improve plugged ducts.

Support the breast using the "C-hold", or with one hand on top and one underneath. Apply gentle pressure by moving the fingers along the breast towards the nipple. Rotate around the breast to ensure all areas are massaged.

General Care of Nipples

Normal hygiene is recommended for cleansing of breasts.
Change breast pads often and avoid breast pads with a plastic backing.
Make sure you are unlatching your baby correctly.

How to Unlatch Your Baby

If you need to take your baby off the breast (i.e. nipple pain when latching), keeping your baby close to the breast, insert your forefinger or pinkie finger into the corner of the baby's mouth, sliding your finger alongside of the breast far enough inside the mouth so that you hear a gentle "popping" sound (suction/seal is broken). Quickly slide the baby away from your breast.

Sore Nipples

You can avoid sore nipples with a good latch. If you feel nipple pain during latching or feeding, seek help.

Breast Compression

Breast compression is applied to the breast while the baby is breastfeeding to incease and maintain milk flow.

Hold the baby with one arm, thereby freeing up one hand.
With the free hand, hold the breast, thumb on one side, fingers on the other, keeping back close to the chest wall, clear of the areola.
When the baby's sucking slows, when there are several sucks before swallow or when the baby begins to fall asleep, compress the breast by squeezing the breast. The pressure should be firm but should not hurt.
Hold the squeezing action until the baby stops sucking and swallowing, and then release.
If the baby continues to suck and swallow, do no compress again. If the swallows decrease, then compress again.
Continue until the baby fails to swallow even with the compression applied.
(See www.drjacknewman.com for useful video clips)

Plugged Ducts

Plugged ducts are lumps in your breasts, which occur when your breast is not properly drained. To prevent plugged ducts, make sure your baby is latching well. Massaging your breasts during feedings may help you find and relieve plugged ducts.

Mastitis

Mastitis is a result of swelling and infection in the breast (usually caused by a plugged duct which is not relieved). Mastitis comes on quickly with flu-like muscular aching followed by fever, chills, and a hot/reddened/tender area on the breast. If you have mastitis, DO NOT STOP BREASTFEEDING.

Seek medical attention for antibiotics & you local breastfeeding clinic for prevention

Engorgement

You can help to manage engorgement by feeding your baby frequently
(at least 8-12 times in 24 hours).
Be sure to continue to breastfeed if you are engorged.
If your breasts become too full, your baby may have difficulty latching on.
If this happens, try the following:

Apply heat or warm compresses or take a hot shower before feeding.
If your breasts are extremely swollen, cold compresses before feeding and/or after feeding may also help.
Hand express some breastmilk to soften the areola around the nipple before latching your baby (see below).
Massage your breasts during feeding.

If engorgement lasts longer than 24-48 hours or you cannot latch your baby, seek help.

Hand Expression

Feel for your milk ducts (they will feel like little grape clusters underneath the skin, often at the outer edge of the areola).

Grasp the breast in a "C" hold with your thumb on top of the breast and your first two fingers underneath the breast over the milk ducts.

Press straight back towards your chest wall.

Keeping your fingers in the same spot, gently compress the thumb and forefinger together as you "roll over" the ducts.

Repeat this motion moving around the breast until all ducts have been expressed and the areola is soft.

Assess Your Baby's Feedings

On day four, answer yes or no to the following statements. If you answer "yes" to any of the following during your breastfeeding experience, call a breastfeeding expert.

You cannot tell the difference between sucking and swallowing
You are experiencing sore nipples / breast pain
You are using / thinking about using a supplement
Your baby seems hungry all the time
Your baby is having less than 3 bowel movements in a day
Your baby is having less than 6 wet diapers a day
You are not sure if breastfeeding is going well
Your breasts remain hard and full after a feeding
Your baby is not swallowing consistently during the feed
You are using / thinking of using a breast shield
Your baby is sleepy & hard to wake for feedings

If you need to call for help with breastfeeding, click here.

This website brought to you by the

Niagara Region Breastfeeding Coalition - Working for a Healthier Community

For further information about the Niagara Region Breastfeeding Coalition, please call
1-800-263-7248 or 905-688-8248 Ext. 7555

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