BREAST CARE

One of the most important ways of getting ready to breastfeed is by getting to know your equipment. You can do this by regularly massaging your breasts before and after the birth of your baby. Massage your breasts gently with tissue oil once a day in the shower or bath, under warm water. The tissue oil decreases friction over the skin surface.

Be sure to massage on the breast tissue, from your chest wall through to the nipple. Think about your breast as if they were the face of a clock, and your nipple the centre of it, then massage from each number, through towards the centre. This familiarises you with your breasts and encourages the recognition and early detection of any potential problems.

Don’t massage the areola or nipple area before birth, as this can stimulate contractions. Regular breast care also helps with drainage through the ducts. Continue your breast care routine after the birth of your baby.