. Mastitis can develop at any point during the nursing process, but many women who experience it in the first four weeks of nursing, when their breasts are still very engorged. It occurs more often in first-time mothers who are new to breastfeeding. Speak to your physician or midwife about how to breastfeed properly so you can prevent mastitis.  At the beginning of your pregnancy, your doctor or midwife will likely provide you with handouts and information booklets preparing you for pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding, and the first few weeks with your new baby. If she doesn't offer these materials to you, ask for them. After the baby is born, don't hesitate to talk to a medical professional if you need help learning to breastfeed. It's important that you start your time as a mother by learning how to breastfeed properly to ensure your baby gets the nutrients she needs and to prevent mastitis. Having consistent feeding times will prevent your breasts from becoming too full of milk. A full breast can lead to engorgement, which can lead to an episode of mastitis. You should breastfeed every one to three hours, or whenever your baby is hungry.  If you know you're going to have to miss a feeding, pump your milk to empty your breasts at the scheduled time for the feeding. If your breasts feel full before the regularly scheduled feeding time, it's important to empty them. If milk sits in your breasts, it will thicken, impeding flow and possibly lead to mastitis.  You don't have to wait for your baby to tell you it is feeding time. Your baby will more likely than not nurse a little when offered the breast. Don't be afraid to wake your baby if you have to. It is better to interrupt baby's sleep and drain the breast than to put yourself at risk of developing mastitis. All babies have different nursing needs and all mothers have different milk supplies. Some babies will drain a breast entirely in 10 minutes while others can suckle for up to 30 minutes on each breast. Get to know your baby's nursing needs and allow him the time he needs to empty your breasts completely. Do not put a time limit on how long you allow your baby to nurse. It's important to spend the amount of time it takes to completely drain your breasts of milk during each feeding. Most babies will release the breast when they are finished feeding, so do not remove your breast before your baby finishes. If you offered the left breast first during the previous feeding, offer the right breast first for the next feeding. Rotating between the two breasts reduces your chances of getting mastitis. Sometimes it can be confusing to remember which breast you left off with. Some mothers find it helpful to wear a “nursing bracelet” on the wrist of the breast they offered first. You can buy nursing bracelets at maternity stores, or use a bracelet you already own as your “nursing bracelet.” Improper latching can affect the nipple and interfere with the proper flow of milk. Check through your resources for information on proper latching techniques. If your baby is having difficulty latching on, consult your doctor or a lactation consultant.  In order to latch correctly, your baby should be positioned upright, with her chest to your chest. You can raise your breast with your hand while you feed to help encourage the milk to flow to your baby. You can also massage your breast gently before allowing baby to latch on to help the milk flow downward. If your areolas are flat, massage your nipples to help them stand out so your baby can latch onto them correctly. Experiment with different feeding positions and incorporate pillows into the feeding session for comfort and ease of nursing. This also helps to ensure your breasts are fully drained at the end of each feeding. Choose positions that allow the milk to flow downward to your baby. For example, you can try feeding while lying on your left side to help prevent blockage on the right side of either breast. You can also try feeding on all fours by kneeling over your baby. You want to empty the breasts as much as possible to prevent mastitis, so do not give your baby bottles between feedings as this will lessen his appetite at feeding time. As well, offering a bottle may cause nipple confusion as your baby tries to transition back and forth between the two types of nipples. If you give your baby a bottle between feedings, he may come to prefer sucking from a bottle, because the milk flows much faster. He may also reject your breast or have difficulty sucking from your breast.
تعرفي على كيفية الرضاعة الطبيعية من أخصائي الرعاية الصحية. يجب الحفاظ على مواعيد ثابتة للرضاعة الطبيعية. دعي طفلك يرضع لطالما كان ذلك ضروريًا. بادري بالرضاعة في كل مرة مع الثدي المعاكس. تأكدي من إحكام غلق طفلك لفمه بشكل صحيح حول الثدي. جربي أوضاعًا مختلفة لكل مرة في الرضاعة. تجنبي إعطاء قِنّيْنَةُ الإِرْضاع لطفلك بين الرضاعة والأخرى.