Caring for Your Breasts

Your breast do not need any special care while breastfeeding. However sometimes breast and nipple problems can develop. Learning how to properly position and latch your baby can help prevent these problems.

Get help right away if you:

  • Have too much nipple pain to latch your baby
  • Cannot soften your breasts or are having problems breastfeeding
  • Have a red and painful area on your breast
  • Have a fever
  • Are feeling sick
  • Rinse your breasts with water only and air dry. Do not use soap on your nipples. Soap may dry your nipples and cause them to crack
  • Wear a bra that fits well and is not too tight. Do not wear a bra with underwire
  • After breastfeeding express some breast milk onto your nipples and the dark area around them to help protect the skin. Let the breast milk dry before putting on your bra

Breastfeeding should not be painful when your baby is positioned and latched properly.

There may be some nipple tenderness in the first week after birth. This should get better each day. Breastfeeding should not be painful when your baby is positioned and latched properly. Get help right away if your nipples are still painful after checking that your baby is latched and positioned on the breast properly.

 

baby latch on breast
Check that your baby’s:
  • Mouth is opened wide
  • Lips are curled out
  • Chin is pressed into your breast
  • Sucking and swallowing breast milk
woman using cross candle hold to breastfeed baby
Check that your baby’s:
  • Head and body are raised to your breast
  • Head is at the level of your breast
  • Chest is facing your tummy
  • Mouth is facing your nipple

 

using thumb and index finger to press on areola to express breastmilk
After Breastfeeding
  • Express some breast milk onto your nipple and the dark area (areola) around it (only if there is no nipple damage around or thrush)
  • Let breast milk dry before putting on your bra
slipping baby finger into the corner of baby's mouth
Taking your Baby off Your Breast
  • Break the suck by:
  • Slipping your finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth; or
  • Pulling down on your baby’s chin

 

Apply cold or warmth to your breast, use whichever feels best.

 

using wet towl to conver breast
How to Apply Cold:
Cold compresses can be:

  • Gel pack wrapped in a cloth
  • Bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth
    Frozen wet towel

Note: Limit exposure to cold to a few minutes to prevent any trauma to the skin.

taking warm shower and massage breast
How to Apply Warmth
You can put warmth on your breast by:

  • Having a warm shower until breast milk starts to flow
  • Placing a warm towel on your breast for a few minutes until breast milk starts to flow

Warmth may also be applied to your breast using a:

  • Warm wet disposable diaper
  • Heating pad on low
  • Hot water bottle wrapped in a cloth

 

Next gently massage your breasts and express some breast milk until the area around your nipple feels soft. Breastfeed your baby often until your breasts are no longer hard.