• M assage the area above the blockage • Follow all the steps listed for getting rid of could cause an infection. Also, replace wet TRAVELING WITH YOUR while breastfeeding to help dislodge plugged ducts breast pads with dry ones as soon as BREASTFED BABY the plug • DO NOT stop breastfeeding. Stopping the possible. When you travel with your breastfed baby, it • P osition your baby so that their chin flow of milk will slow your recovery and may not be necessary to take along bottles or points toward the side with the plug for make the breast pain quite a When you feel your milk letting down in a any other feeding equipment. If you are maximum suction from that area. For bit worse non-feeding situation, apply direct pressure flying, it is a good idea to breastfeed during example, if the plug is on the outside of • If you are expressing milk to feed over your nipples to stop the flow. You can both takeoff and landing. Sucking and the breast, putting her in the football a preterm or sick infant in a special-care do this discreetly by crossing your arms and swallowing will lessen any discomfort in the hold would be ideal nursery and develop mastitis, inform your putting direct pressure against the nipples baby’s ears from pressure changes. When • Get mor e rest for at least a few baby’s health care with the heels of your hands. (If you have traveling as passengers in cars, never take days to increase your resistance professional immediately plugged ducts or mastitis, however, this may your baby out of the car seat to breastfeed to infection not be a good idea.) Many find that milk while the car is in motion. Leaking. Many parents find that, after the drips from one breast while their baby is • W atch for signs you have developed first few weeks of breastfeeding, their breastfeeding from the other one. You can let BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC mastitis: a fever over 101°F with chills breasts leak milk at certain times. Some the milk drip into a cloth diaper or towel to You can breastfeed while you are away from and body aches. Call your health women consider this only a minor avoid getting wet. You may leak milk at home and hardly be noticed. To make care professional if you have these annoyance and take it in stride; others find it night, especially when your baby starts to go nursing as easy and as discreet as possible: symptoms, as you will probably need to a major disturbance. for longer intervals between nighttime take an antibiotic feedings. If it is a problem, wear extra • Choose clothes that will work well for If you do get a breast infection, it is not The most common time to leak milk is nursing pads inside your bra and sleep on a breastfeeding, such as loose tops that can your milk that is infected, but the tissue when it has been a while since you last bath towel to keep your sheets dry. If you are be raised. Once the baby is in position and surrounding the ducts. You may suddenly breastfed. The sight of a baby, the sound of away from your baby for longer stretches, breastfeeding, the top will rest around your feel as if you are coming down with the flu crying, or even the thought of your child may such as at work, wear clothing that will baby’s head and upper body so that your and, along with your flu-like symptoms, you trigger a let-down, or milk ejection reflex. If camouflage the wetness, such as print breast is not seen. If you wear a top that will have a sore and probably reddened area leaking is due to your breasts becoming blouses—preferably not silk!—and keep a buttons up the front, unbutton it from the on the breast (usually on only one). overly full, breastfeeding or expressing milk jacket or sweater on hand as a coverup. bottom just far enough so you can put the more frequently may decrease the leaking. It Taking an extra bra and top to work can baby up to your breast If you have gotten particularly run-down is most common during the first few months • Drape a baby blanket, cardigan sweater, or from stress and fatigue, have had a cracked of breastfeeding and often stops or lessens help you deal with occasional problems jacket over your shoulder and your baby, nipple or a plugged duct, or have skipped by the time your baby is about 3 months old. of leaking. for even more screening several breastfeedings, you are more likely to If you try all of these suggestions and milk get mastitis. Breast pads or nursing pads worn inside • It is possible to buy clothing that is made your bra between feedings will keep your still gets on your sheets and clothing, rest specifically for this purpose Appropriate treatment measures are clothing dry. You can buy disposable nursing assured that it should wash out easily and • Wear bras that allow you easy access to as follows: pads or cloth ones that can be washed and should not stain. And the leaking may end your breast with one hand. Then you can reused. Some mothers even use cut-up cloth within 3 months. simply slip your hand and your baby under • Call your health care professional diapers or handkerchiefs folded into your shirt at feeding time immediately. Studies have shown quarters. No matter which kind of pad you that delay in treatment can lead to further use, be sure it does not have a plastic lining, complications which may hold in too much moisture and 48 49