“Nurturing New Life: Post-Breastfeeding Care and Tips for Restoring Breast Shape, According to Dr. Shruti Marwah”
As a mother, you are capable of doing amazing things – including nourishing a new life. Breastfeeding is important to give your baby a healthy head start. But this can take a toll on your body. HealthWire spoke to Dr Shruti Marwah – MBBS, MS MCH Plastic Surgery on this. She explains how to take care of your breasts after breastfeeding and some tips to restore the shape. Below are excerpts:
At what age mother should stop breastfeeding the kid?
It is actually up to the mother and the baby to decide when the time is right. However, it is recommended that a mother must exclusively breastfeed her child at least until they are 6 months old, post which breastfeeding can be combined with the introduction of solid food.
What are the things to keep in mind while breastfeeding a baby?
Make sure you’re in a comfortable position before you start feeding your kid. Eat a well-balanced diet as a new mother. If you are unsure, you may always visit your doctor for assistance. Remember that breastfeeding is beneficial not only to your child, but also to your health and your post-partum weight loss. Hydration is crucial here, so drink plenty of water. You must consume an additional 350-400 calories every day, as you will need that extra amount of calories you will need to feed the kid. Choose brisk and extended walks over strenuous exercise since they are also relaxing.
Please share some tips to restore the shape of breasts after breastfeeding.
– Your posture changes as you continuously hold and breastfeed your baby, and it becomes slightly leaned forward. So, work on fixing your posture with some exercises that focus on your chest region. Yoga could also be greatly beneficial to tone and lift up your breasts.
– During your showers, alternate between hot and cold water on a regular basis. This can help in increasing blood circulation throughout your body, particularly in your breasts. They will perk up and remain firm as a result of this.
– Massage your breasts to ensure that they receive stimulation from all directions, causing the blood circulation to revitalise and support the breast tissues in their repair and regrowth. You can use olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil.
What are the surgical ways to restore the shape of the breast?
– Some moms may notice that their breast size considerably reduces after breastfeeding. Breast implants can help with this problem. Breast augmentation will not interfere with breastfeeding in the future. You will still be able to breastfeed if you have more children! There is also the fat transfer method which takes fat liposuctioned from other regions of the body, usually the thigh or the stomach, and injects the fat cells into the breasts to help restore them back to a more natural size.
– Mastopexy, often known as a breast lift, is a procedure in which your nipple is repositioned higher on your chest wall by a surgeon. They help tighten the surrounding tissue and eliminate any extra skin.
When is the right time for a mother to go for such surgery?
Before undergoing these procedures, it is preferable to wait 3-6 months following breastfeeding. This will help the breasts to settle and adjust on their own first.
What are the points that a mother should keep in mind both pre and post-surgery?
Firstly, consults a good surgeon, discuss your problem areas with them and let them know exactly what your goals are when it comes to the reshaping of your breasts. The surgeon will consider your current health status and recommend something suitable basis that. Avoid heavy lifting at least 4-6 weeks before any of your breast reshaping surgeries. Also, post the surgery, your recovery period is crucial and hence you must plan for the same. It is likely that you may have young kids at home. Ensure that there is enough help once you come back from the surgery as you will have to limit your activity post-surgery and avoid any impact on your chest area.
Can such surgery be problematic for mothers to breastfeed babies in the future?
Not at all. Once mothers have sufficiently healed from the breast reshaping surgeries, they can breastfeed as the procedures don’t really disturb the actual mammary glands. They should be able to produce milk normally.
Read More: World Breastfeeding Week 2023: Expert Explains Dos and Don’t