Breast Care

• Check your nipples (preferably before giving birth) to make sure they are not flat or inverted. Flat or inverted nipples may cause the baby to have difficulty latching on. This problem can be remedied by breast shields, which you ban buy at most maternity shops. If you need help, discuss this with your obstetrician or nurse midwife.
• Don't wash your nipples with soap during your last months of pregnancy and while you are breast-feeding. Your nipples produce their own oils and soap can be very drying to them. Dry nipples can result in sore nipples.
• After feeding, rub a few drops of breast milk onto your nipples. Let them air dry. Then cover the nipple with nursing pads, a bra or clothing. This will help keep them from getting too dry.

(Adapted from MCHB, Healthy Start Grow Smart, Your Newborn: www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/earlychildhood/healthystart; Healthy Steps)