Breast Care During Pregnancy

Breasts are one part of the body undergoes many changes and require special care during pregnancy so that mothers can produce milk to the fullest and still be able to maintain the beauty of the shape of her breasts after childbirth and breastfeeding.

During pregnancy the body prepares the breasts to produce milk so many changes that occur in these body parts. The shape is getting big, heavy kencangdan. Heavy breasts nearing childbirth can reach 2 times the original weight.

The blood vessels work more actively to prepare glands in the breast so that it will be ready for production. In the breast are 15-25 segment / lobe consisting of reservoir gland / alveoli. Around the alveoli, the muscle layer forming interrelated. These muscles will contract to squeeze the milk out of the pockets of small channels that flow into the nipple.

Since the beginning of pregnancy, the hormones stimulate the growth of cells in milk production in the alveoli. The most important hormone in the formation of milk is prolactin, which started working since 8 week old pregnancy. This hormone also maintain the balance of the large number of milk produced at each stage with the help of estrogen hormone made by the placenta.

Breast care during pregnancy is recommended begin after 5-6 months of gestation. Because, if the early pregnancy we've done nipple stimulation, for example, not good results obtained, but instead can cause uterine contractions.

Breast Care Benefits during pregnancy :

a. Maintain cleanliness cleanliness especially breast nipple.

b. Flex and strengthens the nipple making it easier for the baby to suckle.

c. Stimulate the glands of milk so that milk production lots and smoothly.

d. It can detect breast abnormalities early and make efforts to overcome them.

e. Prepare mentally for breastfeeding mothers.

When a pregnant woman does not perform breast care well and just perform maintenance ahead of prenatal or postnatal then frequently encountered problems that would be detrimental to the mother and baby, including breast milk does not come out, the nipple does not protrude, milk production slightly, an infection of the breast, etc. Such problems can be prevented by breast care as early as possible. Here's breast care that can be done:

Age 3 months of pregnancy

Check the nipple to see if the nipple flat or entered into by way of massaging the nipple base slowly. Normal nipple will protrude. If the nipples remain flat or go back into the breast since 3 months pregnant must be improved in order to stand out.

The trick is to use both the index finger or thumb area around the nipple massaged the opposite direction to the bottom of the breast until all the breast area. Performed twice a day for 6 minutes.

Gestational age 6-9 months

1. Massage

Massage can be done in the bath. Clean the breast using water, then massage using baby oil or coconut oil. Massage done by using both hands, around the breast massaged rotate clockwise and then reverse / counterclockwise. After that do the ordering from the bottom toward the nipple, but the nipple itself does not need a massage for not berkelenjar but only the milk ducts.

After the massage, the tap-tap breast using fingertips or the tip knuckle. Point for blood circulation work better. Furthermore nipple cleaned using cotton and oil / baby oil. This oil is useful in order to flex and moisturizing nipple when breastfeeding later nipple is not easily scratched. Finally, clean the breast and nipple wear warm and cold water. The objective is to facilitate the circulation of the blood. After that, dry disposable towel.

2. Gymnastics breast

We recommend that the breast is also treated with doing gymnastics. The benefit is to strengthen the pectoral muscles in the chest, thus compressing the breast and stimulates milk production for the better.

Gymnastics can be done before or after a shower. There are two kinds of exercises that can be done, namely:

a. Standing position, the right hand holds the left forearm near the elbow, otherwise the left hand holding the right forearm (like folded). Then press firmly to tighten the chest by means of a handle, so it feels its pull on the muscles at the base of the breast. Next relax back. Do it repeatedly up to 30 times.

b. Hold both ends of the shoulder with the hand, elbow then turned forward so that the inner sleeve massaging the breasts upward. Forwarded hands upward movement back and return to its original position. Do this exercise 20 times round.

3. Wearing the right bra

To overcome the discomfort when enlarged breasts, wear a bra that fits and can sustain. Do not wear too tight or loose, but should really fit in the size of the breast at the time and can sustain breast development.

Always keep the breasts and choose a bra made from cotton to absorb sweat. Because if breast fungus and overlooked, the fungus can spread when your baby is breastfeeding. Immediately go to the doctor so that the fungus can be eradicated completely.