Most mothers worry and stress that their breastfeeding techniques may not be correct, or may be inadequate for their new baby. In an ironic twist, this stress can then negatively impact baby, making him fret and fuss as he picks up on mom’s anxiety. A vicious cycle can then unfold, leading to disrupted sleep patterns, colic and wind. To be relaxed during breastfeeding, try listening to a soothing CD formulated especially for breastfeeding time. To help calm your nerves, without harm to baby, many natural tissue salts that occur in the body can be used.
To be able to know whether your baby is getting enough milk, check the number of wet and dirty nappies that he or she is producing. In the first few days after birth not a lot of milk is produced - expect at least one or two nappies a day. By the third day after birth, your breast milk increases and changes into mature milk - you can expect about 5-6 wet nappies and 3-4 dirty nappies on a daily basis.
Depending on the type of breastfeeding difficulty you are experiencing, treatment options include medications, and self-care strategies. Before taking any over-the-counter medications, it is recommended that you first consult your health practitioner. Mothers tend to worry about taking medications when they are breastfeeding because they may be harmful to the baby. Your doctor may prescribe a topical ointment with antibiotic, steroid or antifungal properties to treat sore or cracked nipples, or thrush. Oral antibiotics or pain medication such as ibuprofen can relieve mastitis, blocked milk duct or breast infection. Self-care strategies such as correct latch-on, proper feeding positioning, applying lanolin or hydrogel dressings as well as cabbage leaves to sore breasts can also help. Use a cold compress to relieve breast fullness and place a warm pack on your nipples to help with the “let down” of milk.
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