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Pharmacy Care provides information about self-care, that is how to treat minor medical conditions with products available at the pharmacy. Find out how your pharmacist can help you to manage minor conditions yourself.
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Breastfeeding is best for your baby and is recommended by health professionals and maternity services. Breast milk contains all the nutrients your baby needs and is easily digested. It is economical, safe and always the right temperature.
Breast milk protects your baby against some infections and can reduce the risk of developing allergies. Breastfeeding saves time compared with cleaning, sterilising and making bottles of formula. It can reduce the risk of you getting breast cancer and may help you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight. Actively breastfeeding can also suppress ovulation in many women and may therefore delay a return to fertility. It can also encourage bonding between you and your baby because of the close contact it involves.
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of your baby’s life. Breastfeeding can continue alongside other appropriate foods for two years or more.
Beginning breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is easy for some women but can be tricky to begin with. Start each feed on the opposite breast to the one used at the beginning of the last feed. The baby should not suck on the nipple alone, but take in part or all of the areola (the area around the nipple) as well. If the nipple alone is suckled this may damage it, and make feeding less effective. To release the baby’s latch you can gently slide your little finger (clean) into the corner of the baby’s mouth.
Finishing breastfeeding
If you want to wean your baby off breastfeeding, this is best done gradually. Drop one feed in one day, then after a while, drop another feed. If your breasts become engorged, expressing a little milk will make them more comfortable.
Overcoming problems with breastfeeding
Reflux
Reflux is a common problem in young babies. This is when milk and stomach acid come back up out of the stomach. Babies usually grow out of this at around four months old. See your health professional if you are concerned.
Engorged breasts
Sometimes breasts can become engorged, causing pain and difficulty in ‘latching’ the baby on to the breast. Try expressing a little milk first if this is a problem.
Mastitis
Mastitis (inflamed, blocked milk ducts) may follow engorgement. Symptoms usually include breast pain, fever and flu-like symptoms. It is important that you don’t stop breastfeeding during this time or at least express your milk if it is too painful to do so. Very rarely does this lead to an infection in which case your doctor may need to prescribe a course of antibiotics. Applying warmth to the affected area and using a different feeding position in combination with an anti-inflammatory (if appropriate) will help.
Cracked nipples
For cracked nipples, apply a soothing cream, but most importantly, get help with your feeding technique; the baby is probably latching on incorrectly.
Low milk supply
Sometimes mothers notice their milk supply may seem lower if their baby has been very hungry for a couple of days. If the baby is gaining weight and having six or more very wet nappies per day, then the milk supply is fine.
As your baby gets older and bigger, he or she needs more milk and your supply naturally increases if the baby feeds more. Allow the baby to feed often and completely empty one breast before swapping to the other. Within a couple of days the milk production will increase. There is no need to supplement with formula milk.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
if you have symptoms of mastitis, such as breast pain, redness, swelling, fever or flu-like symptoms
if your baby is not gaining weight
if your baby is unwell
if you are planning to take or buy any medicine, supplement or herbal remedy; these can be passed into your breast milk
Treatment Tips
drink plenty of fluids, eat well and rest if possible
do not smoke or expose yourself or your baby to second-hand smoke
alcohol can pass into your breast milk, so avoid alcohol or have only a small amount immediately after feeding your baby, so as much as possible can clear from your breast milk before the next feed
Treatment Options
Cracked nipple treatments
attachment of the baby may be a problem; refer to a lactation consultant
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. lanolin-based ointments or creams (Lansinoh for Breastfeeding Mothersa)
apply after every feed and as needed
does not need to be removed before breastfeeding
remove excess with a soft cloth or tissue
e.g. nipple shields (e.g. Purelan, Medala)
nipple shields protect the breast but he baby may not get as much milk and may become confused by the different feel of the nipple shield, and struggle to change back to the breast. It is usually advisable to use them for short periods of time only after seeing a lactation consultant
keep your breasts dry with good quality breast pads, changed after each feed
Sterilising products
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. Milton sterilising tablets, NUK microwave and electric sterilising equipment, Avent microwave and electric sterilising equipment
if you are expressing, bottle feeding or feeding water to your baby, or using a nipple shield or pacifier, clean (using detergent, hot water and brush) and sterilise equipment first
Products for expressing milk
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. NUK pump (electric, manual), Avent pump (electric, manual), Medela pump (electric, battery, manual), Ameda (electric, manual)
expressing can be done by hand or with an electric or manual pump; the milk can be refrigerated or frozen
Infant formulas
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g. Karicare range, NAN range, Novalac range, Nurture range, S-26 range
breastfeeding is best for babies
if feeding infant formula to your baby, always use good quality bottles and teats. Teats should be the right size for your baby’s age: slow flow for young babies through to faster flow for older babies
cow’s milk must not be used for infants under 12 months old
there are many different types of infant formula available. Discuss your options with a health care professional
keep powdered formula covered and in a clean, dry place. Check the use-by date and use within four weeks of opening
wash hands and clean all feeding equipment before preparing formula. All equipment will need to be sterilised as well if the baby is less than 3 months old
make up formula with cold, previously boiled, water. Some countries advocate the use of nonfluoridated water when making up formula. Use the scoop provided with the formula and follow the directions on the packaging exactly
if possible, infant formula should be made up just before a feed. Throw out any formula that has been out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours
prepared formula can be stored for later use in the back of the refrigerator. It should be stored for no longer than 4 hours
soy milk is not recommended, unless the doctor has advised to use it due to lactose intolerance. Signs of this include skin problems, vomiting, diarrhoea and colic. There are also formulations designed for babies with constipation, diarrhoea or reflux. See your health professional for advice
warm prepared formula by placing the bottle in a container of hot water. Be careful if using a microwave since these can re-heat unevenly. Shake the bottle after heating and leave to stand for a couple of minutes before shaking again
do not reheat any prepared formula that has already been warmed or partially consumed
More Information
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
PHARMACIST ONLY may only be sold by a pharmacist.
PRESCRIPTION ONLY available only with a prescription from your doctor or other health professional.
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