common discomforts

Following the birth of your baby your skin is unique!

You may be experiencing breastfeeding and the challenges that brings to your skin, along with general aching and tiredness that often accompanies new motherhood.

Our mahumidwife Kathryn Our mahumidwife has put together a list of common discomforts following birth along with some tried and true solutions for you. Click on the condition to find our suggested solution.

• Nipple pain
• Aching back, shoulders and muscles

nipple pain

What it is: The tenderness and soreness in your nipples, usually occurring during the first few weeks of breastfeeding.

What causes it: An improperly positioned baby, or a baby with a very strong suck, can cause sore nipples or even cause them to crack.

What you need to know about it: Soreness and tenderness can make you dread the next feeding — and even the next suck — but the situation does improve fairly rapidly, usually as you get the hang of breastfeeding and proper positioning (and as your nipples — and tolerance — toughen up). Many women also experience cracking or bleeding, which is also temporary and usually responds well to some simple treatments.

What to do about it:

• Make sure your baby is properly positioned and has a proper latch on your areola, not your nipple, that your baby is always facing your breasts, but try varying your nursing position, always try to use both breasts at every feeding, even if it’s not for very long
• Tension might hinder your letdown. Less milk, unfortunately, means that your baby will have to suck harder to get it, so take a few minutes to relax before you breastfeed. You can also express a few drops of milk to get things going before you even put baby to breast.
• After each feed briefly expose your nipples to the air then apply mahu Nipple Cream which contains New Zealand Manuka Honey to soothe, soften and moisturise skin, improving cellular regeneration, and helping skin recover and it also has natural antiseptic, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Calendula: An antiseptic and astringent that heals and reduces inflammation.
• Only use water to wash your nipples. Soaps and alcohols will irritate your skin.
  

Aching back, shoulders and muscles

What you need to know about it
During the early months post baby it is common to experience see new postpartum aches and pains, as breastfeeding women develop aching shoulders, necks and upper backs from holding, nursing and loving your baby and sleeping (or not sleeping!) in unusual positions while nursing in bed.

What to do about it:

•  Massage neck and shoulders with mahu Pure Massage Oil to help relieve, relax and loosen the muscles, thereby reducing the pain.
• Steps for neck and shoulder massage -

1. For massaging neck and shoulder you will require the help of your partner. While lying on your back, uncover the chest by folding down the towel or blanket.
2. Apply oil to chest, shoulders and neck.
3. Begin effleuraging by placing both hands on the upper chest, fingers facing towards each other. Now slowly pull your hands round the shoulders and under them, then bring your hands in to meet at the back of the skull. Repeat four or five times.
4. Gently knuckle the chest and shoulders. To knuckle make your hands into relaxed fists, and move the knuckles make your hands into relaxed fist, and move the knuckles in circular movements. This sounds more difficult than it is.
5. Gently turn the head to one side. Stroke along the top of the shoulder and the side of the neck with your first three fingers. Repeat three times.
6. Repeat the above sequence, but circle your fingers this time. Do this three times.
7. Turn head to the other side and repeat movements 4 and 5. Return the head to the centre.
8. Slide hands down the back as far as you can comfortably reach. Find the groove each side of the spine with your fingers. Pull your hands up the spine with a little pressure on the groove each side. Repeat three times.
9. Now you are going to stretch the neck - these movements stretch out the muscles of the shoulders and neck and ease tension. If your partner is relaxed you will take all the weight of the head. If he or she is tense, go easy and make the movements slow and gentle. You don't want any pulled muscles.
10. Cup both hands under your partner's head, your fingers resting in the base of the skull. Lift the head slightly gently pull towards you. Lower the head slowly repeat.
11. Hold the back of the head in one hand and move it slowly towards the left shoulder while gently pressing down on the right shoulder with your other hand. Bring the head back to the centre and then repeat on the other side.
12. Finish with some effleurage movements as you began.
    
    Note: This massage shouldn't be done on anyone with injuries to their shoulder or neck.
    
    
    Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.