Breast Feeding and some Preventions

A decision as to whether the mother wishes to breast feed the baby must be made on the first day after delivery. Realistically, the decision is motivated by factors such as her background, whether she would really enjoy it, and the opinions of her husband and mother. The fact that it might be beneficial for her does not often predominate.

If the nipples are inverted or the baby is premature it is not advisable to breast feed. If the mother decides to nurse, the baby is brought to her about 12 hours after delivery and allowed to suck no more than five or ten minutes on each side. Usually the baby is not very desirous of sucking until the second or third day. Around the third day the breasts become engorged (very heavy and firm) and the milk comes in or is “let down.”

Before each nursing session the breasts, and particularly the nipples, should be washed carefully with an anti­septic to prevent breast infection. The nurse will assist the mother. If there is scantiness of milk the baby should be brought out every four hours through the night. But if the milk is plentiful and the mother wishes to sleep, the two a. m. feeding may soon be eliminated, particularly if the baby is large.

The uterus and tissues of the nursing mother tend to recover their normal state more rapidly. Bleeding following delivery ceases sooner. However, lactation may prevent the menstrual period from returning for as long as six months (the average duration of breast feeding) .

The only way to determine whether nursing is feasible is to try it. Capacity for milk production varies. Enthusiasm and encouragement by the husband help. If a woman is very active in social or other activities outside the house, nursing should be discouraged.

Pregnancy may occur during the nursing period even though menstruation does not. This is unusual but if pregnancy occurs, nursing should be stopped. The baby can be weaned by giving a bottle at alternate nursing periods and gradually diminishing breast feeding until feeding is completely by the bottle after a week or ten days.

Many mothers do not wish to nurse and for them there are various compounds that prevent the milk from coming in. These are principally the estrogens which prevent the pituitary gland from secreting lactogenic hormone that stimulates milk flow. If the estrogens are taken, usually by mouth, for ten days to two weeks, there is usually no engorgement of the breasts. Sometimes the breasts become engorged after the estrogens have been stopped. With breast engorgement, a tight brassiere should be worn and fluid intake should be restricted to a minimum. A little aspirin and codeine for 24 hours will alleviate the pain.