Mastitis rates go up over Christmas, with a little thought, knowledge and planning here is how you can avoid...

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Breastfeeding parents may face challenges during Christmas travels and activities such as engorgement, missed feeds, over-stimulated babies, and even tight clothing.

Travel

Plan for regular breaks during long car trips, babies often sleep longer in the car, which will lead to longer between feeds which can lead to engorgement. Feed before you set off and immediately on arrival, plan breaks to feed and give baby a break from the carseat.

Busy days

Set yourself reminders for feeding during busy days, ensure a comfortable space for feeding.

Tighter clothes‍

Avoid tight clothing that compresses breast tissue! Temptation is to dress up and squeeze into your nice bras, tops or dresses, this can lead to pressure on the breast tissue which may cause blocked ducts or inflammation. Ideally wear nursing bra and looser tops or dresses with feeding access.

Over stimulated baby  

To avoid an over-stimulated baby plan somecalm quiet feeds away form the party. With extra people around baby can becomeover stimulated, grizzly and/or fussy at the breast and take shorter feeds

Relatives

Your baby, your rules…babywear if you don’t want everyone having a go at holding  your baby. Or, if you are happy for this to happen, be careful not to miss the feeding slot. Be are of your feeding times and duration and if you are feeling shy about feeding in public ask  your host for a quiet room.

Blocked ducts

‍If you do notice blocked ducts or red areas, feed, feed, feed your baby, no need to pump. Also apply cold compresses, light massage towards the nipple and take ibuprofen if necessary. For persistent symptoms your GP.