One of the most important things for breastfeeding mothers to know is how to care for their breasts during weaning. Problems ranging from engorged breasts to mastitis are common during the weaning process.
Correct and good care will certainly reduce breast pain during the process.weaningor weaning. How do you do it? Here are some tips recommended by doctors.
How to Care for Breasts When Weaning?
When a mother first begins to wean, her breasts will become engorged, sore, and swollen. Blocked ducts (or mastitis) are a major cause of breast pain in breastfeeding mothers. If you want to wean your baby more quickly and avoid severe breast engorgement, you can reduce breastfeeding by one session per day for a week.
This gradual reduction in breastfeeding sessions will also prevent mothers from experiencing uncomfortable breast engorgement. The milk supply in the breasts will also gradually decrease.
Mothers can gradually stop breastfeeding and pumping. One of the main causes of mastitis is milk buildup in the breast tissue. Gradually reducing breastfeeding gives the body more time to gradually reduce milk supply, preventing excessive milk buildup.
Doctor and lactation consultant Dr. Gita Permatasari explained several ways to care for your breasts during weaning to theAsianparent, including the following:
1. Massage your breasts and express a little breast milk.
Express milk by hand as needed to remove small amounts of milk from the breast tissue and relieve pressure. However, be careful not to completely empty the breast, which could trigger more milk production.
“This method can minimize the occurrence of mastitis (inflammation of the breast),” explained Dr. Gita.
2. How to Care for Breasts While Weaning with Cold Compresses
Cite the page Healthline ,Cold compresses can be used to treat breasts, helping to relieve pain and inflammation.
Additionally, you can try a cold compress with cabbage leaves. Cabbage leaves are said to suppress lactation when used long-term.
“(Cabbage leaves) can help reduce swelling or inflammation in the breasts during the weaning process,” said Dr. Gita.
To try this cabbage leaf method, wash the green cabbage leaves with water. Then, place the cabbage leaves in a container and store them in the refrigerator.
Place a cabbage leaf inside your bra. When it wilts, replace it with a new one. And so on.
3. Treating Breasts with Peppermint Leaves
Oilpaper mintIt is claimed to reduce breast milk production when applied directly to the breasts. Regarding the use of coconut oilpaper mintThis time, Dr. Gita revealed that it can indeed help reduce breast milk production.
“Peppermintcontains high levels of estrogen, which in most women can help reduce milk supply. In addition,peppermint essential oil“It provides a cooling effect on the breasts, thereby reducing pain caused by swollen breasts,” said Dr. Gita.
4. Breast Care with Sage Leaves
Some also say that mothers can stop breastfeeding by using sage. According to a study published in the journal PubMed Central, sage leaves can help mothers during weaning.
“Sage contains natural estrogen, which is known to reduce your milk supply. Stop taking it if you experience an increased heart rate,” advised Dr. Gita.
5. Wear a comfortable bra
Another way to care for your breasts while weaning is to wear a comfortable bra. Dr. Gita recommends wearing a comfortable, underwire-free bra to avoid putting pressure on your milk ducts .
Be sure to continue taking good care of your breast tissue. Bacteria can enter through cuts or wounds, causing infection and mastitis.
Make sure you get enough rest and nutrition. This will help regulate your hormones and make you feel better.
Make time for your favorite activities and hobbies. Get those endorphins flowing by doing some of your favorite activities.
Those are various ways to care for your breasts while weaning. Happy weaning, Mom!
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
