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(vii) Breastmilk (viii) Alternative feeding position (i) I have covered correct positioning. See: Latching on p.7, as well as comments above. (ii) Fresh air seems to help skin damage to heal, either leave off bra and wear loose clothing or tea strainers in the bra with the handles cut off. Avoid breast pads as they can perpetuate soreness. (iii) Calendula cream is sold as a cut cream, not specifically for breastfeeding (sometimes sold as Hypercal, you will find it in Health Food shops and Boots homeopathic range). I have found it speeds up the healing process remarkably, which is really useful when you know your baby is going to want to feed again shortly. Avoid the lanolin based one; some women are allergic to it and that makes their problem worse, it is also sticky whereas the non-lanolin based one is quickly absorbed. You only need to put a trace on. (iv) Sunlight and daylight are ideal, even through glass. If you are in the middle of winter as you read this you can use artificial light. You only need a short exposure to really help the healing process: a minute or less at eighteen inches from a bare light bulb. Be careful not to over expose already delicate skin. (v) Vitamin E is the vitamin we use to keep our skin flexible and reduce inflammation, it is also used in a number of other important body functions. Cold pressed oil is the easiest way to get it, wheat germ and safflower are particularly rich. You can eat it and put it onto the skin. See Diet p.27. (vi) Excess iron destroys vitamin E and can lead to soreness. Iron is easily obtained in the diet and if you need to build your reserves up you can eat molasses, dried apricots, nuts - particularly almonds, watercress, spinach and wholemeal bread. Iron absorption depends on eating enough vitamin C. | ||
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CATHERINE HOLLAND Tel: 0701 7415310 Email: catherine@catherineholland.co.uk | ||||
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