Table of contents:
- The stages of changes in the breasts during pregnancy
- Breast changes in the first trimester of pregnancy
- Breast changes in the second trimester of pregnancy
- Breast changes in the third trimester of pregnancy
- How to treat breast changes
- Breastfeeding after giving birth
The breast is one part of the body that changes during pregnancy. This change occurs to support the breasts in producing milk so that the mother can breastfeed her baby after birth. Breast milk is very important for babies in their early life because it provides complete nutrients needed by babies in early life. Therefore, breastfeeding babies is highly recommended to provide good nutrition to babies.
Changes in the breasts are usually a sign of pregnancy. During pregnancy, the breasts become softer and more sensitive, and the breast shape becomes bigger. This change is experienced by each individual differently.
The stages of changes in the breasts during pregnancy
Breast changes in the first trimester of pregnancy
Changes in the breasts have started early in your pregnancy. In the first trimester of pregnancy, around 4-6 weeks of pregnancy, some of you may feel your breasts tingling, painful, or more sensitive, especially in the nipple area. This is caused by increased levels of the hormone progesterone and blood flow in the breasts. The formation of more mammary glands for milk production and the development of the milk ducts as a way for milk to leave the breasts have also begun. This makes the breast size also bigger.
Furthermore, the nipple and areola (the area around the nipple that is dark in color) becomes darker and bigger, and the blood vessels under the skin of the breast become more visible. The montgomery glands, which are oil-producing glands around the nipples, also become more visible.
Breast changes in the second trimester of pregnancy
In the second trimester, around 16 weeks of pregnancy, the breasts are able to produce breast milk (ASI). It is not surprising that some mothers experience small amounts of breast leakage, a cloudy liquid known as colostrum, which sometimes comes out of the mother's nipple. Sometimes, the nipple may also bleed, which occurs in some mothers. This is caused by the sudden growth and increase in the number of blood vessels in the breast to produce milk. Even though this incident is normal, you should check with your doctor.
Breast changes in the third trimester of pregnancy
In the last few weeks of pregnancy, the nipples become bigger and the breasts continue to grow as the cells that produce milk become larger.
How to treat breast changes
Some of you may feel that breast changes during pregnancy make you uncomfortable and sometimes even cause breast pain. Changes in the shape of breasts that get bigger can be treated by wearing a comfortable bra. Since your breasts are larger than before you became pregnant, it is a good idea to buy a bra that is bigger, about 1 or 2 numbers bigger than your previous bra size.
Some things that you should pay attention to when choosing a bra are:
- Does the bra support your breasts well
- It's best to choose a bra that is neither too tight nor too loose
- Bra strap length
- Big bra cup
- We recommend that you avoid choosing the type of bra underwire (bra with a wire at the bottom)
If you are leaking a little milk during pregnancy, it is best if you cover your bra with a cloth. This prevents your clothes from getting wet due to leaking milk.
Breastfeeding after giving birth
About one to three days after giving birth, your breasts will release the first colostrum or milk. This colostrum will come out during the first suction of your baby or during the Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (IMD). If the baby's first suction on your breast goes smoothly, it will allow the breasts to produce milk more smoothly in the future.
This is because when the baby sucks on the mother's breast, it triggers the nerves to carry a message to the brain that milk is needed by the baby. This makes the hormone oxytocin, which affects milk production by the mammary glands, released on the orders of the brain. Furthermore, the mammary glands will produce milk to meet the baby's needs. This process is known as reflex let down.
In other words, the baby's sucking affects the mother's milk production. Therefore, the more often you breastfeed your baby, the more milk will be produced and make your breastfeeding process run smoothly. It's best to give breast milk as often as your baby wants. The Ministry of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding (breast milk only) until the baby is 6 months old.
