How to Take Care of the Breasts during Feeding?
Myths about Breastfeeding
Ayurveda strongly recommends breastfeeding for new mothers. Breastfeeding is the best way for a mother to care for her newborn baby because breast milk provides numerous health benefits to the baby. Breast milk is considered the best nutrition in the first year of life, and it is abundant in micro and macronutrients, antibodies, and digestive enzymes that are vital for the growing baby.
Breastfeeding creates a special bond between the mother and her baby and should be started soon after the baby’s birth. The ‘first milk’ — or colostrum — is rich in antibodies and strengthens the newborn baby’s developing immune system. Breastfeeding also protects the baby against a number of childhood diseases like diarrhoea, ear infections, and pneumonia. Moreover, breastfeeding also protects the mother from breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes, postpartum depression, and heart diseases.
In spite of the countless health benefits of breastfeeding for the baby, there are several myths surrounding breastfeeding. Some common breastfeeding myths and the facts about breastfeeding are:
1. Breastfeeding is easy
Fact: Breastfeeding takes time as well as practice for both the mother and the baby. Many mothers initially find it difficult to position the baby for breastfeeding and need practical support.
2. Breasts hurt during breastfeeding
Fact: Breastfeeding can be uncomfortable in the first few days and the breasts may hurt. However, the pain and discomfort go away after some days. Persisting pain during breastfeeding is an indication that either the baby is not properly positioned to the breast or the mother could be suffering from some infection.
3. Avoid spicy and strong-flavored foods while breastfeeding
Fact: A lactating mother should eat a healthy and balanced diet. She can eat all kinds of foods, including spicy and strong flavored foods but should be in very less quantity. Though it is commonly believed that only bland foods should be eaten while breastfeeding, but eating different kinds of foods exposes the babies to various flavours.
4. Sick mothers should not breastfeed
Fact: Breastfeeding can be continued by a lactating mother even during sickness due to cold, flu or other minor virus infections. Breast milk protects the baby against different illnesses, with the antibodies in breast milk providing the necessary strength to the baby’s immune system.
5. A woman cannot get pregnant while breastfeeding
Fact: Breastfeeding does not affect the chances of a woman getting pregnant again. If a woman has sex, she can get pregnant even if she is breastfeeding a baby. However, the chances of conception while breastfeeding are less within the first six months of breastfeeding or if a woman’s period has not returned after childbirth.
6. If a woman doesn’t breastfeed, she is a bad mother
Fact: A woman who showers her baby with love is a good mother, even if she is unable to breastfeed because of various reasons or she has to supplement breast milk with formula. Breastfeeding is not a benchmark for judging a mother’s love for her baby.
How to Take Care of the Breasts during Feeding?
It is very important for a woman to take proper care of her breasts when she is breastfeeding her baby. By taking care of her breasts, a lactating mother can deal with some common breastfeeding-related problems like tenderness or pain in breasts, sore/cracked nipples, blocked milk ducts, breast engorgement, and breast infections such as mastitis.
To ensure proper breast care while breastfeeding, a woman should keep the following suggestions in mind:
- Position yourself comfortably while breastfeeding.
- Position the baby to the breast correctly.
- Always wash your hands before breastfeeding to ensure proper hygiene.
- Avoid washing your nipples with soap as it can lead to dry skin.
- Maintain a regular feeding schedule.
- Wear a nursing bra or a cotton bra.
- Use breast pads to prevent the milk from leaking through your shirt.
- Wash and moisturize the nipples after breastfeeding.
- Seek a doctor’s advice in case of persistent nipple soreness.
Planet Ayurveda herbal manufacturing company offers excellent herbal formulations that can ensure proper breast care for women during breastfeeding. The 100% natural and vegetarian herbal formulations are put together in a special pack — the ‘Saggy Breast Care Pack’.
Dosage / Usage
- Bustonica Capsules – 1 capsule twice daily.
- Bustonica Oil – As directed by Physician.
- Rativallabhakhya Tail – As directed by Physician.
- Pushyanug Churna – 1 teaspoonful twice daily.
Product Description
1. Bustonica Capsules
Bustonica capsules are prepared from the pure extracts of several potent herbs which can be very beneficial for a nursing mother. These herbs include Vidarikand (Pueraria mirifica), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), Varahikand (Ipomea digitata) and Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa).
The use of these capsules are beneficial for strengthening and shaping the breast muscles, keeping the breasts properly toned, regaining breast shape and size, preventing breast sagging in lactating mothers, and maintaining the overall health of the breasts.
2. Bustonica Oil Mixed with Rativallabhakhya Tail
This amazing herbal product comprises an excellent oil mix for supporting breast care while breastfeeding. The product is prepared from a combination of herbs that can improve the contour and size of the breasts, keep them in good shape, and prevent the sagging of breasts.
The herbs used in the products are Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Gumbhari (Gmelina arborea), Choti dudhi (Euphorbia thymifolia), Vidarikand (Pueraria mirifica), Chota gokhru (Tribulus terrestris), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Jeevanti (Leptadenia reticulate), and Paatla (Stereospermum suaveolens). The paste for the product is prepared from Shyonak (Oroxylum indicum) and Safed jeera (Cuminum cyminum), in the base oil prepared from Flax seed oil (Linum usitatissimum), Sunflower oil (Helianthus annuus), and Sesame oil (Sesamum indicum).
3. Pushyanug Churna
This churna (herbal powder) is an effective Ayurvedic medication that has the capability to provide immense benefits to women while breastfeeding, enhance the reproductive system, and soothe the Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas which govern the body as a whole, including breast milk.
The churna is prepared from a combination of several herbs, including Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Jambu-bija majja (Eugenia jambolana), Ambasthaki (Cissampelos pareira), Mocharasa (Salmalia malabarica), Padma kesara (Nelumbo nucifera), Kumkuma (Crocus sativus), Ativisa (Aconitum heterophyllum), Katphala (Myrica nagi), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Shunti (Zingiber officinalis), Rakta chandana (Pterocarpus santalinus), Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica), Shwetasariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), and a few others.
To buy Saggy Breast Care Pack, please visit store.planetayurveda.com/products/saggy-breast-care-pack
Conclusion
Breastfeeding creates a special bond between the mother and her baby, and provides valuable health benefits to the baby. Proper breast care during breastfeeding is very essential to avoid needless problems, and aches. However, whenever a lactating mother is in doubt about breastfeeding or is unsure about proper breast care while breastfeeding, she should contact a doctor to seek professional help in resolving her concerns linked to different aspects of breastfeeding.
