Before Baby Comes: Preparing to Body/Breast/Chest Feed
Should I prepare my nipples? NO! Not at all. There is no evidence to show that ‘toughening’ your nipples will help to protect them during feeding.
What changes can I expect in my breasts/chest/top body during pregnancy? Most people will experience some degree of tension, tenderness, and/or growth of the mammary tissue, starting around 16-20 weeks of pregnancy. Some folks experience some leaking of colostrum as they move further through their pregnancy. You may also see a darkening and/or enlargement of the areolas and nipples, as your body prepares them to become visual targets for your baby to latch to. Some people who have inverted or flat nipples will see them evert. Often nipples will become much softer and more elastic as well. If you have found that your top body/breasts have not changed at all, or if one breast/side has changed dramatically more than the other, it would be a good idea to bring it up with your doctor and/or a lactation professional.
What is colostrum? Colostrum is a thick, yellow liquid, high in protein, protective factors and nutrients that is produced in your breasts/chest as the first food for a newborn. It is lower in calories and fat than the white transitional and mature milks your body will start to make in the days following birth. It has many purposes, such as aiding digestion and encouraging the first poop, immune boosting, coating the gut with a protective layer, and establishing a colony of healthy bacteria in the baby’s gut. Because colostrum is more about protection and less about calories, and a newborn’s stomach is super small and not stretchy for the first couple of days, the amount you make is tiny.
Should I start pumping before the baby is born? You could pump or express in the weeks leading up to your due date, but it isn’t necessary. Some people will express the small amounts of colostrum they produce and freeze it. This way they have it on hand in case there is some reason they may not be able to nurse or express immediately postpartum. In most situations it is completely safe to express your colostrum while still pregnant, but you should always check with your healthcare provider that this is the case for you.
If I pump while I’m still pregnant will I have enough colostrum left when baby comes? Yes. Whenever you remove it, you are always producing more. You aren’t able to ‘run out’.
What if I don’t see any milk or colostrum yet? Every body is different, and you won’t always see colostrum leaking on its own. Pregnant bodies usually begin to make colostrum around 16-20 weeks prenatally. You may be able to express some with your fingers through manual expression or with a pump, but not everyone experiences this. If you are unable to express any drops of colostrum at all as your due date draws closer you may benefit from a conversation with a lactation professional.
My breasts/chest/top body is very uncomfortable. What can I do about it? Drink lots of water and get enough sleep. Wear supportive but not restricting bras (ie good fitting bras that do not use underwires, sports bras that support but don’t constrict), and loose fitting clothing that breathes well. Some people find that sleeping with a bra is helpful, while others get relief from going bra-free. You can experiment with heat and cold on your skin to see which brings you relief, using hot or cold pads or taking a shower. Some light massage may be helpful as well. You should always speak to your doctor before taking any medication for pain, but keep in mind that ibuprofen (Advil), acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin), and naproxen (Aleve) are not generally recommended during pregnancy, except under very specific circumstances.
I’m not planning to breast/chest feed my baby. Can I stop my body from making milk? Colostrum and milk production are hormonal responses to both pregnancy and birth, and because of this you cannot prevent your body from going through the phases of producing milk. You can, however, put a plan in place to dry up your milk supply in the first few weeks after birth if feeding your milk to your baby is not going to be a part of your journey. This is generally done by frequent pumping or hand expressing of a small amount of milk whenever your top body/chest/breasts feel engorged, uncomfortable, or full. You only want to express until your body feels comfortable again, and so in the first few days you may find yourself expressing very frequently. It can take up to a few weeks or more for your body to stop producing any milk, but most people find relief from the initial engorgement in the first week to 2 weeks postpartum.
Every pregnant body is different. There are many different experiences folks have as their bodies go through the hormonal changes that come with pregnancy. If you are concerned at all about your experience, or even if you just want to touch base about the typical changes your body is going through, you should connect with a lactation professional. Speaking with someone who knows the ins and outs of lactation can help you transition to parenthood armed with some knowledge and confidence for your feeding journey.
Written by: Natasha Matte (CLC)
Are you a Birth Mark client looking for feeding or lactation support? Book a phone consult with Natasha for in-home or virtual support. You can also book into Natasha’s clinic at our Toronto office on Fridays (starting December 11th 2020). Click here!
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