Do you have a breast routine after a feeding?

[Crazybean]

If so, why and what do you do?

I've read things about using water and vinegar to quickly rinse off breasts (to ward off yeast).. I've heard some say they lather on lanolin ect, ect.. do you express more if you know baby didn't get all the milk out?

Me- I express a few drops before beginning to give my cracked nipples a chance.. then after a feeding, I express some more to rub around the nipple and then let them air dry... should I be rinsing with anything prior to doing this? I'm already going through c-section recovery hell and I'd hate to add an infection to the mix..

My lactation consultant said nothing about the "care" of them. And an FYI, my cracked, bleeding nipples are starting to heal so I'm more concerned about how to maintain a healthy breast environment.

[PatioGardener]

nak

i hopefully remember to put my breast pads back and pull my shirt down.

eta: i used lansinoh for about 10 days postpartum. now at 3 months i'm glad i don't need it because i'm sure i'd forget!

[Bokonon]

When your nipples aren't cracked or thrush is an issue, you don't need to do anything different. I think I used some Lansinoh when DD was going through cluster feedings and growth spurts and my nipples were sore, but have never used vinegar or expressed extra milk. Baby knows how to best establish your supply!

[Quinalla]

You don't have to do anything, though at the beginning when they are nursing so much, I found that putting lansinoh on once or twice a day or so helped keep them from getting cracked, especially since she was born in the winter so the dry air wasn't helping anyway. I also rub a drop or two in and let them air dry as much as possible. I still do that after she eats and after I pump at work as much as possible and I haven't used lansinoh in months now.

[artzy_fartzy68]

Originally Posted by Quinalla

You don't have to do anything, though at the beginning when they are nursing so much, I found that putting lansinoh on once or twice a day or so helped keep them from getting cracked, especially since she was born in the winter so the dry air wasn't helping anyway. I also rub a drop or two in and let them air dry as much as possible. I still do that after she eats and after I pump at work as much as possible and I haven't used lansinoh in months now.

I used lanolin a lot at first (or, when there was a gap between nursing babies...lol) to keep my nipples more comfortable, but mostly I did nothing.

[akind1]

At first (the first couple weeks) I kind of just let them hang out and air dry. I only used lanolin once or twice, as DS didn't like the taste of it, and I forgot to wipe it off before he latched.

I haven't had any issues with thrush, etc, either.

[leighann79]

I'm doing good if I remember to close my nurisng bra back up. lol

[Sharlla]

Nope, I don't do anything special

[crystal_buffaloe]

Are the cracks healing? I might do more active management until the sores were gone -- just so you don't leave yourself open to an infection. I put a homemade version of APNO on mine after every feeding until the crack was completely healed (cortizone, polysporin, lotramin, lanolin all mixed together). I don't do anything special now.