HER SINK // JUST FOR MAMAS
Having a baby? Your skin is in for one wild ride. The goal is to stop stretch marks before they start instead of trying to heal them once they’re there.
As any dermatologist will tell you, stretch marks are tough to treat. To prevent stretch marks, you have to soften up your skin so it can slowly stretch as baby grows and naturally bounce back after delivery. The best stretch mark prevention cream is Cocoa Butter. Apply liberally to any areas that could expand during pregnancy like arms, buttocks, stomach and breasts.
Be careful to avoid the face, nipples and other mucosal surfaces. Once baby arrives, keep applying while skin recovers. It’s important to note that most breast growth happens after delivery, especially if you’re breastfeeding. To prevent baby from ingesting the cream, apply after nursing then lightly wash with a gentle soap like Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Wash before the next feeding.
Nipples are highly sensitive and a bit temperamental if nursing. Baby’s latch can cause irritation, eczema, itching and in some cases, bleeding, cracking and severe pain.
- Consult a breastfeeding specialist to ensure the baby is latching “correctly”. Improper latching can cause or exacerbate the nipple irritation.
- Apply a nipple cream that is marketed as “safe for the baby”.
- Discuss this problem with your baby’s pediatrician who can examine your baby’s mouth for signs of infection. A yeast infection could be transferred between you and your baby and exacerbate the nipple rash and pain.
- Ensure that your bras are providing enough support.
- Apply nursing pads to prevent irritation and rubbing of the nipples.
- Consider using silicone nipple shields.
- Consider pumping if it helps with pain and allows for healing (at least until rash resolves).
- If this problem only began after the baby started eating, consider writing a diary of when your problems flare up to determine if there is a correlation with the baby eating certain foods.
