Care of Nipples During Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the best choice to feed our children but for some women the initial process is not as simple as they once imagined. Although it is a natural process, breastfeeding is learning for both mother and newborn.

The beginning of this path can lead to pain, discomfort and irritation, especially in the nipples. This is caused from your baby frequent suckling that sometimes hurts the area at first.

To avoid this problem or to alleviate pain here are some tips you can consider: 
- Air: Nipples are very sensitive and that is why it is recommended to aerate and strengthen delicate skin that covers them. Also to prevent the sensitivity in this area, aeration can be achieved through traditional aerators shields that should be placed between the breast and the bra, moreover you should use a bra that holds the breasts but do not tighten them.
 
- Lubrication: To preserve the natural gratitude that occurs during pregnancy is recommended to avoid soaps or products containing alcohol or glycerin, also the brushes and sponges as they tend to dry and cut the skin of the nipple.

- Water: We recommend cleaning the nipples with only water as the liquid is sufficient for daily hygiene.

- Sol: Sun exposure is a good way to fortify the nipples, begin with shots for five minutes up to twenty minutes.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding give you a very comforting feeling when have your baby between your arms, in addition to the other benefits listed below:
* For the mother:
- Accelerates the loss of fat accumulated during pregnancy.
- Reduces the risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
- Improved postpartum recovery.
- Promotes bonding with baby.
- Significantly reduces postpartum depression.
- Accelerates uterine involution, which means the uterus return to its normal size.

* For the baby:
- Breast milk is uniquely suited to the requirements of the baby, meet all his needs.
- It protects you from infections and allergies.
- Predisposes baby to good eating habits in the future.
- It digests better.
- Facilitates bonding with the mother.
- Prevent dental problems.
- It prevents obesity, hypertension, diabetes, arteriosclerosis and allergies in the future.

* For the family:
- Means less economic cost.
- Ensures greater comfort and hygiene: not to worry because the milk is gone, no need to prepare bottles and sterilize them.

* For society
- Preserves natural resources.
- Save human and material resources in hospitals.

Breastfeeding "Colostrum"

Colostrum is a viscous substance has a light yellow color, contains many proteins, minerals, vitamins, calories and immune agents that provide protection to the newborn against viruses, bacteria and germs that are exposed after birth.

Colostrum produce in highest concentration early days, so it is recommended to place the baby to the breast immediately after birth. The immediate breastfeeding strengthens the bonds between mother and son, helps the placenta to separate easily and the baby's sucking stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk in few days.

The baby has a very delicate digestive system and colostrum is digestible easily. The production is small but contains enough to feed the baby in first few days until the arrival of milk. It will help to eliminate excess bilirubin, preventing and/or reversing jaundice, another characteristic of colostrum is maintaining the level of sugar in the blood. The mother passed to her newborn the immunological agents in colostrum, therefore baby become protected from diseases of the medium in which they live.

The amount of food an infant receives depends on the production of the mother. Some women do not have milk in the beginning while others have plenty of milk even before birth, if you do not have milk you can put the baby to suck your breast and this will encourage production.

During the first 2 or 3 days the baby can be fed with only 7 or 8 milliliters of colostrum. By the third day, when transition occurs in the production of colostrum milk; the baby will be feed by 30 to 60 milliliters so you can feed him in periods of 2 ½ to 3 hours.