Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I am experiencing pain?
What to do when nursing hurts:
If you are experiencing pain when nursing you should seek a lactation consultant or doctor's advice. More than likely your baby is not latching on properly, but it could be something else. Their expertise and knowledge can make all the difference in making nursing a pleasant experience for you and your baby!
If you are experiencing pain when nursing you should seek a lactation consultant or doctor's advice. More than likely your baby is not latching on properly, but it could be something else. Their expertise and knowledge can make all the difference in making nursing a pleasant experience for you and your baby!
How do I know what size I am?
How to Find Your Current Size
To determine your current size, let’s take some measurements. If your top is thin you can leave it on (but take off any thick layers). Measure yourself with your (unpadded) bra on. Stand straight, relaxed, with your arms down. If you can, measure yourself in front of a mirror, so you can make sure the measuring tape isn’t twisted and that it’s parallel to the floor all the way around. Now, take 3 measurements:
1) Take Your Chest Measurement - Around your chest, right under your arms. This as a snug measurement.
2) Take Your Rib Cage Measurement – Just below your breasts. If you have someone helping measure you, and you are wearing a bra that your breasts are sagging in even a little bit, take your straps and pull up so that your breasts are lifted to where you would like them to be, and then have your friend measure your rib cage. This is also a snug measurement.
3) Take Your Bust Measurement - Across the fullest part of your breasts. As with the previous measurement, if you are wearing a bra that doesn’t position your breasts exactly where you’d like them to be, then hold your bra straps up so your breasts are lifted to their ideal spot, and measure across the fullest part (usually across the nipples). This is a loose measurement.
Now, we’re ready to determine your current size: 1) Take the larger of your chest measurement and rib cage measurements. If you get an odd number, round up. This is your rib band size.
2) Subtract that rib band size from your bust measurement. Every inch is one cup size, so you can count up (1=A, 2=B, 3=C and so on).
Typically after about 6 weeks to a few months of nursing, fluctuations in your beast size will settle down. You will have established your breastfeeding relationship and routine, and will usually decrease a few cup sizes. As well, around this point, your rib band size will begin to go back to your pre-pregnancy size. This is the size you will likely stay until you finish breastfeeding. That is, at about your pre-pregnancy rib band size, and up one cup size.
To determine your current size, let’s take some measurements. If your top is thin you can leave it on (but take off any thick layers). Measure yourself with your (unpadded) bra on. Stand straight, relaxed, with your arms down. If you can, measure yourself in front of a mirror, so you can make sure the measuring tape isn’t twisted and that it’s parallel to the floor all the way around. Now, take 3 measurements:
1) Take Your Chest Measurement - Around your chest, right under your arms. This as a snug measurement.
2) Take Your Rib Cage Measurement – Just below your breasts. If you have someone helping measure you, and you are wearing a bra that your breasts are sagging in even a little bit, take your straps and pull up so that your breasts are lifted to where you would like them to be, and then have your friend measure your rib cage. This is also a snug measurement.
3) Take Your Bust Measurement - Across the fullest part of your breasts. As with the previous measurement, if you are wearing a bra that doesn’t position your breasts exactly where you’d like them to be, then hold your bra straps up so your breasts are lifted to their ideal spot, and measure across the fullest part (usually across the nipples). This is a loose measurement.
Now, we’re ready to determine your current size: 1) Take the larger of your chest measurement and rib cage measurements. If you get an odd number, round up. This is your rib band size.
2) Subtract that rib band size from your bust measurement. Every inch is one cup size, so you can count up (1=A, 2=B, 3=C and so on).
Typically after about 6 weeks to a few months of nursing, fluctuations in your beast size will settle down. You will have established your breastfeeding relationship and routine, and will usually decrease a few cup sizes. As well, around this point, your rib band size will begin to go back to your pre-pregnancy size. This is the size you will likely stay until you finish breastfeeding. That is, at about your pre-pregnancy rib band size, and up one cup size.
How do I wash the bra?
All of our bras should be machine or hand washed, cool water, regular detergent only. No bleach - no fabric softener. Hang to dry. These instructions will prolong the life of your items and protect them from shrinkage.
How many bras do I need?
Life is a bit hectic when a baby makes an appearance. Nursing bras need to be washed very frequently due to leaking milk, and hung to dry due to their delicate nature. Therefore, you should purchase 2-3 nursing bras (one in the wash, one in the drawer and one to wear) to ensure you always have a clean one on hand.
What is a plugged milk duct?
A plugged milk duct is characterized by a tender or painful lump in a localized area in your breast. Sometimes the skin over the area may be red. Plugged ducts are most common during the early weeks of nursing when you and your baby are working on establishing the supply and demand cycle of your breast milk. There are a number of factors that can contribute to a plugged duct.
• incomplete drainage of your breast at a feeding - i.e. switching the baby to nurse on the other breast before she signals that she's finished on the first breast
• very tight bras or underwire bras that continuously press on a certain area of the breast, which can restrict the milk flow and cause irritation
• skipping a feeding or going for a long time at night without nursing
• not drinking enough liquids or being overly fatigued
• incomplete drainage of your breast at a feeding - i.e. switching the baby to nurse on the other breast before she signals that she's finished on the first breast
• very tight bras or underwire bras that continuously press on a certain area of the breast, which can restrict the milk flow and cause irritation
• skipping a feeding or going for a long time at night without nursing
• not drinking enough liquids or being overly fatigued
How can I relieve a plugged duct?
• If your bra feels too tight, or the underwire is pressing into your breast - remove your bra!
• Try applying heat to your breast for 15-20 minutes before nursing.
• Nurse frequently - at least every 2 hours. Always begin nursing on the affected breast.
• Try to point the baby's chin toward the affected area on the breast while nursing. This assures good drainage from that area!
• Try applying heat to your breast for 15-20 minutes before nursing.
• Nurse frequently - at least every 2 hours. Always begin nursing on the affected breast.
• Try to point the baby's chin toward the affected area on the breast while nursing. This assures good drainage from that area!
What is mastitis?
Mastitis is a breast infection. It is accompanied by flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, achiness and headache. The infection may follow a plugged milk duct. Other causes can be a tight bra, infrequent changing of wet breast pads, stress and extreme fatigue. Treatment should begin promptly.
It is important to continue nursing and to increase the frequency of feedings until the symptoms subside. There is no possibility of passing the illness on to your baby as only the breast tissue is infected - not your breast milk. Get plenty of rest. Increase your fluids. Tylenol is fine to take for the fever. If you are not feeling better after 24 hours, call your doctor.
It is important to continue nursing and to increase the frequency of feedings until the symptoms subside. There is no possibility of passing the illness on to your baby as only the breast tissue is infected - not your breast milk. Get plenty of rest. Increase your fluids. Tylenol is fine to take for the fever. If you are not feeling better after 24 hours, call your doctor.
