While some babies can latch correctly and breastfeed right from the start, others might need a little time to find the proper nursing position. But the truth is that even after establishing a breastfeeding schedule, there are many issues that can pop up in your nursing journey, which may pose as roadblocks on what might already be a pretty bumpy road.
Breastfeeding problems can be extremely distressing for new mums, and can also make your baby fussy and frustrated. But the good news is that by learning and understanding the common breastfeeding problems, you will be able to handle them efficiently and overcome them successfully.
To make things easier, we have listed some common breastfeeding problems that you may experience from the newborn stage to weaning and solutions that will help you tackle these concerns like a pro.
10 Common Breastfeeding Problems And Solutions
Sore And Cracked Nipples
During the first few weeks of breastfeeding, you will experience nipple tenderness and swelling. That is completely normal! However, extremely sore and cracked nipples are a concerning sign and need to be treated immediately. This is because soreness in your nipples can make it difficult for you to breastfeed, and scream in pain while nursing your child.
How To Prevent It?
One way to prevent this painful condition is by keeping your breasts and nipples moisturised and hydrated with a nipple butter cream.
Opt for lanolin and fragrance-free nipple butter formulated with the goodness of plant-based ingredients like kokum butter, chamomile oil, rice bran oil, and wheat germ oil. While kokum butter and calendula oil soothe cracked and sore nipples, rice bran and wheat germ oil increase the elasticity of your skin to reduce dryness. The nipple butter also contains vitamin E, which forms a protective layer on your skin and protects against future damage.
The best part is that the nipple butter is made with all-natural and chemical-free ingredients and you don’t even have to worry about your child ingesting it. For best results, use the butter on your breasts immediately after nursing your little one.
Some other ways to avoid sore and cracked nipples include:
- Making sure your baby is latching correctly.
- Trying different nursing positions during each feed.
- Offering short and frequent feedings.
- Applying warm and moist compress to your nipples.
- Gently break the suction from your baby’s latch before removing their mouth from your breast.
Breast Engorgement
Breast engorgement is another p[ainful condition that causes swelling in your breasts. It usually occurs when you are producing more milk than your baby is consuming. This condition can make your breasts inflamed and swollen, making it difficult for your newborn to latch.
How To Prevent It?
Breast engorgement can last for a few days or weeks until your milk supply adjusts to your baby’s needs. While your body will take some time to adjust, try to focus on soothing the pain and pressure. You can try the following methods to relieve pain:
- Breastfeed your child often, at least 8-12 times a day.
- Make sure that your baby’s latch is secure and proper.
- Use a breast pump to express milk and relieve pressure from your breasts.
- Alternate between warm and cold compress to soothe the pain.
- Gently massage your breasts to reduce pressure.
Clogged Milk Ducts
Clogged milk ducts cause small and hard lumps to form in your breasts. They occur when Your breast milk clogs up and blocks the narrow milk ducts. This condition can use tenderness, redness, and swelling in your breasts.
How To Prevent It?
While this condition resolves on its own in a few days, here’s what you can do to speed up the recovery:
- Make sure that your baby’s latch is intact and that they are feeding properly.
- Nurse often to prevent your breast milk from clogging the milk ducts.
- Nurse on the side with the plugged duct first. Your baby’s strong suck at the beginning of the feeding can unclog the duct easily.
- Alternate nursing positions to drain all areas of your breast.
Mastitis
It is the swelling or inflammation of your breast tissue and is often considered an infection. Common breastfeeding issues, such as engorgement, clogged milk ducts, and fatigue can cause this infection. Mastitis causes redness and tenderness in your breasts and flu-like symptoms like fever.
How To Prevent It?
In case you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, do ensure to consult your doctor right away for medication and guidance. Also, unless your doctor recommends otherwise, continue to breastfeed your little one.
Thrush
Thrush is a type of yeast infection that commonly appears in your nipples. The main symptoms of this infection include breast pain, redness, and itching in your nipples, with or without a rash. It might also show up as white or red patches in your baby’s mouth.
How To Prevent It?
This condition also requires proper medical treatment. So if you notice any of its symptoms, consult your doctor to get the right medications administered. You must also sterilise all of your baby’s pacifiers, soothers, toys, and breast pumps to keep germs and bacteria at bay. Also, make sure to wash your hands often to prevent the spread of this infection.
Low Breast Milk Supply
Breast milk is your newborn’s sole source of nourishment, and hence a low supply can immediately send you into panic and distress mode. But don’t worry, with a few handy tips, you will be able to overcome this concern as well, and nurture and nourish your child worry-free.
How To Prevent It?
To boost your milk supply, you can consider:
- Checking your baby’s latch, and ensuring that their mouth covers the entire part of your areola and not just your nipple. The more your baby nurses, the more milk your body produces.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day, at least 8-10 glasses.
- Use a breast pump in between feedings. The extra stimulation can encourage your body to increase your milk supply.
- Add rich lactogenic foods to your diet to boost your breast milk supply naturally.
Excess Breast Milk
An excess supply of breast milk can also be a challenge. It could further lead to problems like breast engorgement, clogged milk ducts, and mastitis. The pressure of excess milk build-up in your breasts can also cause a hyperactive let-down reflex or fast flow of breast milk while your child feeds. A fast flow of milk can make your baby gag and also cause spitting up, gassiness, and fussiness.
How To Prevent It?
To avoid this condition, you can:
- Try offering only one breast at each feeding, and offer the same breast if your baby wants to feed within an hour.
- You can also try nursing while reclining on a chair or laying back. Nursing against gravity may help slow down the flow of your milk.
- Be sure to burp your baby frequently. Your little one is likely to swallow more air while trying to gulp down a large amount of fast-flowing milk.
Nipple Confusion
If your baby is given a bottle or a pacifier during the early weeks of breastfeeding, they may become confused when placed on your breasts. The result? Your baby is unable to latch correctly or may even reject your breast completely. This means they may not get enough milk, and you may experience engorgement for not being able to empty your breasts.
How To Prevent It?
If possible, avoid giving your baby a bottle or a pacifier until a firm nursing routine has been established. This means you must wait three to four weeks after delivery.
Also, based on how long your baby has experienced nipple confusion, you may want to contact a lactation expert for advice. In the meantime, monitor your baby’s diaper to determine if they are getting enough milk.
Inverted Nipples
Are you unsure about the state of your nipples? Gently pinch your areola with your index finger and thumb. If your nipple retracts rather than protrudes, you may have inverted nipples. This may lead to breastfeeding issues, and require some latching assistance from a lactation consultant.
How To Prevent It?
In addition to getting help from a lactation consultant, you can try using a breast pump to get your milk flowing and pull your nipples out as much as possible, before placing your baby on your breast for a feed.
You can also consider using nipple shields, which are thin, silicone shields that fit over your nipple and help them protrude more, making it easier for your baby to latch. Your lactation consultant can show you how to use nipple shields and whether they are fitting you properly to avoid further breastfeeding problems.
Painful Let-Down
The milk let-down sensation, also known as the milk ejection reflex is often experienced as a tingling or a prickly-pins-and-needles sensation. But for some, this may be felt as aching pain, deep in your breasts, especially if your milk production is in excess.
How To Prevent It?
If this pain develops due to excess breast milk production, try feeding your baby longer on one particular breast, and switch to the other only if you need to. But if this prickly sensation turns into a more poking feeling in your breasts, visit your healthcare provider at the earliest, as it could be due to a bacterial or yeast infection.
With proper care, these breastfeeding problems resolve on their own. But if you notice these conditions persisting even after a few days, or if they are getting worse, then make sure to consult a doctor or lactation expert at the earliest to get the right treatment and medication administered. The earlier you identify and solve these concerns, the better it will be for you and your little one.
Also read:
Painful nipples during breastfeeding: Here’s a list of remedies to try to soothe painful remedies during breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding tips for new mums: Check out these helpful breastfeeding tips to make your nursing journey a tad bit easier.
Different breastfeeding positions: Experiencing trouble while nursing your baby? Try these breastfeeding positions to make your journey easy.
Benefits of breastfeeding for mums and babies: Learn all about the benefits of breastfeeding your baby in this post.
Essential tips for breastfeeding in summer: Make nursing during the summer season easy for you and your baby with these effective tips and tricks.
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