Breast Feeding Equipment – Pump, Presser or Expresser

One of the most common items you might want to purchase is a pump, presser or expresser. This piece of equipment is used to express milk from your breasts for storage and/or later use. If you want to go back to work, you will need a breast milk pump. If you want to retain your sanity, you will require a breast pump. A breast pump allows you to spend some time away from your baby while still providing him or her with your breast milk.

There are a variety of breast pumps from which to choose. You can pick an electric pump, a hand operated version or a foot model. It is a personal choice. Whatever works for you.

Breast Feeding Equipment – Bottles

In addition, if you decide to press your milk, you will require several other objects. You will need several bottles in which to press the milk. These will require nipples or teats. You may also want several bags if you plant to freeze the breast milk. Furthermore, to ensure the milk retains its purity, you will have to have sterilizing equipment.

Breast Feeding Equipment – Nursing Bar

Clothing is another item you need to consider purchasing. This is not the pregnancy or nursing outfits, although you can opt to buy them. What you will need is a nursing bra. It is good to have 3 or 4 bras. Be sure you obtain the right size and shape. Remember the bra size may fluctuate during the breast feeding process. Be sure they provide both comfort and convenience.

Breast Feeding Equipment – Breast Pads and Shields

In addition to the bras, you may need both breast pads and shields. The pads will stop you from lactating into and staining your clothing. The shields are to cover the nipples as well. Shields help protect your sensitive nipples from rubbing or harm. You can also purchase a breast shell to help your breast and its nipple can meet the needs of your baby’s latching demands.

Breast Feeding Equipment – Other Items

There are other items you may want to purchase in preparation for birth and breast feeding. You might feel it is necessary to get pillow supports or cushions to help you become comfortable while you feed your baby. Nipple cream may be a purchase, if you believe you will need its help in keeping your breasts in perfect functioning condition. There are even chairs touted as breast feeding chairs.

If you feel you need an specific piece of breast feeding equipment, talk to your doctor, first. Speak to others who may be helpful and knowledgeable in the area. Go online and see what they offer. There are different sites that offer advice and/or sell specific breast feeding related products.

It is essential to realize that during the process of not only pregnancy but for preparation for breast feeding, your breasts undergo a change. It is essential you understand the alterations. This will help you prepare for the process of breast feeding. It will make it much easier to go with the flow – of milk.

During your pregnancy, your breasts begin to alter to reflect their upcoming purpose. During the first trimester, the breasts become tender. This is particularly true of the nipples. During the second trimester, the nipples become larger as does the areola. The pigmentation around the nipples is a darkening.

Breast Facts #2

The breasts do become larger. They are moving towards the time when they will engorge with milk. This begins to take place a few days after the birth of your child. You can easily recognize primary engorgement (Do not confuse with problem engorgment which is a common trouble associated with breast feeding.). Your breasts will be painful to touch. They will feel hard. They may also become quite hot to the touch. They may be sore for from 24 to 36 hours during this initial period.

Breast Facts #3

The milk making process of your breasts is the result of the release of prolactin. From the first 12 months of conception onwards, it helps to increase breast size and helps you to produce a small amount of another essential ingredient – colostrum. Fortunately, the high levels of progesterone in your blood system ensure the milk production in your breasts remains minuscule until the arrival or your infant.

Breast Facts #4

After the delivery of your child and the expelling of the placenta, your body seriously settles down to produce milk for your baby. Yet, before you can provide your body with mother’s milk, your body initiates the first baby food – colostrum. Colostrum is the quintessential baby formula. It is a thick substance. It can be yellow, orange or clear in color. It appears after birth and remains the main nourishment until your breast begin to produce milk some 48 hours or more after birth. For the first 2 to 3 days, however, your baby will rely on colostrum for all its needs.

Breast Facts #5

Colostrum is a truly incredible substance. It serves several purposes at once. First, it is a complete nutrient package for your infant. It contains all the basic nutrients. Colostrum is higher in protein and lower in fat and carbohydrates than your mature milk. As a result, your baby requires very little to survive during these early days of breast feeding. Second, it is an immune inducing meal. Colostrum helps your baby maintain its defense against bacteria and other possible problems. This is because it is high in whey proteins (antibodies). Third, colostrum coats the baby’s stomach. In doing so it prevents the occurrence of bacterial infections. It helps pave the way for the baby’s stomach to handle the upcoming mature milk. Finally, colostrum acts as a laxative. It stimulates the newborn’s bodily excretion processes.

Breast Facts #6

Yet, both the release of colostrum and mature milk rely on one motion to maintain it – the sucking or latching of your baby on your breast. Once your baby begins to suck, several physical interrelated things occur. The initial sucking stimulates numerous nerves beneath the areola. These send a message conducted by the hormone prolactin to the brain. The brain, in turn, activates the release of both prolactin and oxytocin into the blood stream. They flow straight to the breast. Of these 2 hormones, prolactin and oxytocin, it is oxytocin who helps release the milk.

Breast Facts #7

Oxytocin is responsible for the ejection or let-down reflex of the minuscule milk sacs. The sacs are the production mechanism of the milk. Oxytocin releases the milk, sending it into the sinuses of the breast. The sinuses reside just beneath the breast’s areola. The first milk the baby initiates when the baby latches is the fore milk. As the milk drains, the hind milk flows. This mature milk is higher in lactose, fat and casein proteins than colostrum. At this point of your baby’s development, your breast milk is the ideal food for your baby.

Breast Facts #8

The process of making and releasing milk is a continuous one – a never ending loop, as long as the infant continues to suck. It is the sucking motion that re-triggers the oxytocin. In other words, the latching continually stimulates the oxytocin to continually produce milk. As long as you allow the baby to suck regularly and frequently, you will have the oxytocin acting to provide your breasts with a sufficient supply of milk for your infant. The secret, therefore, to a well-fed baby lies in ensuring the oxytocin receives continual stimulation. You may also want to note that the stimulation of the breast is also responsible for the release of endorphins. These do not stimulate the baby but do induce in mothers a happy or contented feeling while they breast feed.

Breast Facts #9

One issue for breast feeding moms is breast size. Size does not matter in how apt or capable you are at feeding your baby. Although breasts do grow in size when you are pregnant, larger does not mean better. Large or small, they are more than able to produce milk for your newborn. What matters more than size of breasts is the shape and performance of the nipple.

Breast Facts #10

Nipples come in all types. If you stimulate them, they will perk up and reveal their true nature or shape. Most breast nipples, when pinched will “pop” out. The nipple will become erect. This is a desirable quality for breast feeding. Other nipples may create problems. In order to determine whether your nipple may require more attention than others, grasp it in your hand and pinch it. The average breast will produce a protruded nipple. Even if you have flat nipples, a pinch may push them outwards. The same applies to the treatment of dimpled, folded or inverted nipples. Even in inverted nipples you can coax the nipple outwards. This creates a nipple for latching.

Breast Facts #11

If your nipples are flat, dimpled or inverted and do not pop out when you pinch, this is a cause for concern. If the nipple flattens or inverts further, you should talk to a doctor about correcting the problem. If the nipple extends out only slightly, you may also have to consider talking to your doctor or professional. A baby need to latch if she or he is to successfully feed and thrive on breast milk.

Breast Facts #12

Breast changes also continue throughout breast feeding. The nipples may stretch. The size may seem to vary. What does this all mean when you decide to stop breast feeding your child? Normally, there is little to concern yourself about. The breasts may remain larger for a while. You may even be able to express milk for several weeks or even months. By the end of 6 months after weaning, your breasts may seem somewhat smaller if firmer than before your pregnancy. At the end of a year the build-up of fat will help you to regain an approximation of their previous shape and size.

Your one hand should be at your feeding breast with the nipple thurst out with the help of your fingers and thumb of your that hand. The child learns to suck the milk soon by the breast’s nipple. Keep the child’s nose clear from any obstruction so that he or she breathes well.

The new-born does not require much milk in the beginning. Till he or she develops appetite for milk to the full, feed him or her with warm water through a disinfected bottle. In the first week after the delivery, the duration of breast-feeding your child should never exceed 5 minutes. From the second week, when the child has learnt to suck milk properly and has fully developed appetite, you can increase the duration to ten minutes or till the child is satisfied. Sometimes the child may bite at your nipples in irritation. It would mean that either the positioning of the child is not correct or there is some disturbance in the milk flow. Before feeding your child it is advisable to clean your nipple by water or a wet towel, especially during summers or rainy season when you sweat more.

All through the breast-feeding period the mother should wear a sturdy brassier to support her breasts properly. These days there is a special’ ‘mother’s breassier” available in the market which is ideal for this purpose.

Also make sure that the child belches after having milk otherwise this trapped wind creates digestive problems. There are two ways of making him or her belch. By making him sit against the pillow to pressurise his or her stomach to belch air through his mouth and by holding, the child against your shoulder.

Post Pregnancy Breast

Although apparently there is no change in the breasts yet due to the collection of milk in them they become rather heavy.

One interesting arrangement made by nature is that the milk in the breast will continue to ooze till the child is fed by it. If the mother stops to feed her milk to the child the formation of milk, will also stop. To take care of the heaviness of the breasts, the lady must wear an appropriate sized brassieres.

Immediately after feeding the breast may become soft only to become heavy with milk after a few hours. In this condition to prevent the nipples from bursting they ought to be washed with clean water.

In case the mother stops to feed her child even after a couple of weeks of the delivery, the breasts may become hard and heavy and after two or three weeks the milk drying up. If the pain due to this hardness and heaviness of the breasts becomes unbearable, then the lady should consult her doctor’ because the milk-heavy breasts get infected very soon. It is, therefore, advisable to consult the doctor if the burning sensation or redness be felt on any part of the breasts.

Breasts secrete milk, a nature’s way of feeding the newborn. It is natural, instantly available and a complete food.

It is safe, inexpensive, right in composition and temperature, easily digestible and contains antibodies which protect the baby against infection and allergies.

Close contact of the baby with the mother while feeding, creates security, and comfort for the child and fulfilment for the mother. Breast-feeding can thus be a mutually satisfying emotional experience. To many women, not having breast-fed their babies is a great disappointment.

Milk is produced by the cells lining the alveoli in the breast gland. During the course of pregnancy, hormones from the ovary and placenta, inhibit milk production. After delivery, these hormones rapidly decrease and when the baby suckles, the nerves in the nipple which are stimulated, send impulses and stimulate the pituitary gland (anterior pituitary) situated in the brain to release a hormone called prolactin in the blood which in turn stimulates cells to produce milk. Another hormone from the pituitary (posterior pituitary) called oxytocin is also secreted in the blood as the nipple is stimulated by suckling, which makes the contractile cells around the gland con­tract and squeeze milk from the cells into the milk ducts. It is called “let down reflex”. The more the breast is sucked, the more hormones and therefore, milk are produced. Suckling, therefore, is the natural stimulant fur milk production.

The dilated portion of milk ducts behind the areola before ending into the nipple act as reservoirs where milk is stored. The muscles in the nipple and under the areola prevent overflow. These muscles relax when the baby suckles; and allow the milk to flow from the reservoirs into the baby’s mouth. Milk can also be expressed manually.

A thin yellow milk called Colostrum, is produced for the first two days. It is nutritious, rich in protein, minerals and vitamins and contains maximum antibodies which protect baby from infection and facilitate the passage of meconium (the greenish black viscid stools of the newborn). Milk starts flowing from the third or fourth day  and breasts feel full with the “come in” of the milk.

Approximately 50% of all breast lumps including cancer are first noticed by the woman herself. Most breast problems are not due to cancer, but if ignored and left untreated, may cause trouble. Yearly breast screening programmes among asymptomatic women help to detect cancer in the early stage.

However, women are encouraged to self examine their breasts every month. The early detection and treatment of cancer may promise a cure. Sometimes, it may make the woman more conscious (anxious) of cancer from which she may not be suffering.

But women belonging to the “high risk” category should self examine their breasts as a routine without being too conscious. It may help them to detect cancer early and plan its management and thus avoid its adverse effects.

Normal Feel Of The Breasts

The normal breasts feel differently in each individual. The shape of the breast depends on the constitution (build) of the patient, strength of the supporting ligaments and heredity. The skin of the breast is smooth but wrinkles may appear with advancing age. Normally, a few veins are coursing over the breasts. The left breast is at a lower level than the right.

Once a woman becomes familiar with the normal feel of her breasts with the first few self examinations, it becomes easier to notice any change. Breasts are soft, not painful and least lumpy, about 4-5 days after the end of the periods. Ribs, in thin built women with small breasts may be felt. Many women who have not yet reached menopause have rather lumpy breasts, especially before their periods and sometimes throughout the whole month. As age advances, they loose their fat, the glandular tissue undergoes atrophy and the breasts become loose in texture. It is easier to feel a lump in such a breast.

At What Age To Start Breast Self Examination

From around the mid thirties and for the rest of one’s life one should do a regular self examination of the breasts. Breast cancer is rare under the age of 30.

Best Time To Do Breast Self Examination

After the periods are over and when the breasts are softest and without any pain, a self examination of the breasts advised. When the periods are stopped, either due to menopause or in the event of a hysterectomy, it is advised on the first day of each calender month.

Self Examination Of The Breasts

Choose a time and place where you can examine your breasts undisturbed and in complete privacy.

Sit or stand infront of a mirror with good light. Remove clothes and relax with arms on the sides.

Now carefully inspect and compare both your breasts in the mirror. Look for the breast shape, its outline (contour) and size. Notice any dimpling or prominent veins over the skin, any change in the nipples or the areola. Notice any recent retraction, inver­sion or pulling to one side of the nipple. Gently squeeze each nipple and note the nature and site of any discharge.

Now look for any change as above with both the arms raised above your head and then with your hands placed lightly on the top of your head.

Now place your hands firmly over your hip. When hands are pressed against the hip, the muscles beneath the breasts become tight.

Look again as above and compare for any change with the hands relaxed and when pressed against the hip. Note especially any puckering of the skin.

Each breast is now examined by the hand (palpation):

Palpation Of The Left Breast

Lie flat on your bed with a pillow under your head. Put a folded towel under the left shoulder with the left arm kept by the side. The breast is to be examined by the right hand. Palpate with the flat of your hand (not dipping with the finger tips) and feel each part of the breast starting with the upper, inner and outer quadrant. The examination is carried out gently and systematically with small circular motions while pressing gently against the firm chest wall. You may need to make several circles. The palpation should start from the nipple outwards. In case a lump is discovered note its location, size, margins and adherence to the skin or the underlying muscles.

Palpate the armpit (axilla) with the flat of your fingers. The armpit is like an inverted cone, therefore, palpate its deep upper part and all around with your arm by your side. Feel for any nodes; when the nodes are fixed to each other they form a lump.

Now raise your left arm above your head with your elbow bent and repeat the examination. This helps examine the outer part of the breast and the armpit. Nodes above the clavicle (supraclavicular) are also examined.

The examination of the right breast is carried out with the left hand in a similar manner, with a folded towel kept under the right shoulder and the right arm kept by your side. Large pendulous breasts, as in obese women, are examined while leaning forwards arms outstretched, resting on a chair.

The breasts are examined in this hanging position. In case there is any change in shape, size, skin surface any nodularity or a lump in the breast. or any discharge from the nipple, a doctor should be consulted.

 Rapid industrialisation and unplanned urbanisation have now led more women to work outside home. There are late marriages, therefore, late childbirth. Infrequent breast-feeding and shorter duration of lactation are mainly due to the stress of daily life.

Breast-feeding needs to be encouraged and late pregnancy avoided. Unfortunately most women (60%) are present in stage III and IV of the disease, when cure is impossible. These women would have escaped the dreadful course of cancer, the cost of treatment and death if the cancer was detected early. As many as 21 % of women who develop breast cancer, die within the first year of diagnosis.

The detection of breast cancer in its initial stages when small and before it has had the chance to spread, and its treatment with available options can achieve cure. This aim can be achieved by screening women with identifiable risk factors. Women are motivated to self examine their breasts (breast self examination BSE) and a periodic physical examination can be carried out by the family doctor or a health visitor, in high risk women. The acceptance of this simple and inexpensive screening method, however, may not be easy, since most women are either illiterate or live under constant stress of daily life.

Mammography for screening of asymptomatic women is a useful test. It can be done every 1-2 years, especially among high risk women. It greatly helps in discovering early lesions, especially among women over 50. Abnormalities detected on screening are impalpable and can be subjected to image guided fine needle aspiration cytology for diagnosis.

Indeed, there is anxiety amongst women when invited for breast screening, but once motivated, after a few visits when no abnormality is discovered; they become more keen and regular.

Clean nipples and areola with water, and dry, as part of personal hygiene. Do not use soap or rub heavily with towel; it takes away the natural lubricant.

Sometimes there is pain in the whole breast or just in the nipples. A well fitting brassiere worn all 24 hours may provide relief. Application of warmth also relieves these symptoms.

During pregnancy and lactation when the breasts become heavier, a well fitting brassiere must be worn, to support ligaments. It also avoids stretching of the skin of the breasts and thus prevents sagging. A brassiere with a front fastener will be most suitable, during lactation period.

It is essential to relax and be cheerful during pregnancy and lactation. Any stress, emotional or otherwise may disturb milk secretion.

A ‘balanced diet’ which provides not only more calories and proteins but also iron, calcium and vitamins is a must. A little more than the normal diet including green vegetables and fruits with suf11cient quantities of water and other liquids will ensure adequate milk supply.

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Breast Care During Pregnancy