In this article, we’ve compiled the top five most common breastfeeding problems and solutions that you can apply even at home. It is still best to consult your doctor when you experience these issues but don’t feel hopeless, you can do these solutions to make you feel better.
Breastfeeding Problems and Solutions
Have trouble breastfeeding your newborn? You are not alone mama. Breast engorgement, low milk supply, poor latch, and sore or burning nipples are some of the problems many moms experience when breastfeeding.
Here are the suggestions on how to treat these common breastfeeding problems. These problems may occasionally rise throughout your breastfeeding journey, but the important thing is we know how to deal with them when these happen.
Low Milk Supply
Breastfeeding is a supply-and-demand process. It’s important to understand how milk production works so that you can do the right things to increase your supply. To help your body produce more milk, it’s important to remove more milk as often as you can.
SOLUTION
Nurse the baby frequently and pumping during the day can help increase milk supply. Adding more pumping sessions in between feedings can help be very helpful. Remember you have to remove more milk from the breast and empty it as frequently as you can to help increase milk production.
Also read: Fenugreek Seed for Increasing Milk Supply
Engorgement
Engorgement is when the breast tissue overfills with milk, blood, and other fluids which causes your breasts to feel very full. Your breasts may also feel hard and painful and your nipples appear flattened and tight during engorgement. This usually happens when the baby is not feeding properly, so the milk builds up and becomes severe as it continues.
SOLUTION
Give yourself a warm shower before feeding your baby for comfort and to help the milk flow. Also hand-express by gently massaging your breast in a downward motion to push the fluid to your nipples. You can also do this while your baby is feeding to help with latch and getting the milk.
If your breasts still feel full after the feed, express more milk by hand expression or with a pump.
Latching Pain
The key to successful breastfeeding is a good latch. If your baby is not properly latched on to your breast, nursing sessions can be painful. The position of your baby during feeding plays a crucial part in having a good latch. When this is achieved, breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience for both the mother and baby.
SOLUTION
Get in a comfortable position with great back support before nursing sessions. This will help you get a good posture and avoid neck and back pains. Place your baby’s tummy to tummy and the baby’s nose should be opposite the nipple while the head should be tilted slightly back. Check to see if the baby’s bottom and top lip are flanged out like fish lips. If they are not, you may use your finger to pull the bottom one down and open up the top one more.
You may also try different breastfeeding positions that will work for both of you. Some of these are Cross-Cradle Hold, Football Hold, and Side-lying. If the baby’s position is correct and latching on still hurts, your nipples may be dry. Make sure to wear loose clothing and avoid washing with soap. Nipple creams are good for applying between feedings.
Also read: Latching and Breastfeeding Positions: How to get the baby to latch better
Mastitis
Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection. The inflammation results in breast pain, swelling, warmth, and redness. You might also have a fever and chills. It is a bacterial infection in your breasts marked by flu-like symptoms such as fever and pain in your breasts. It’s common within the first few weeks after birth (though it can also happen during weaning) and is caused by cracked skin, clogged milk ducts, or engorgement.
SOLUTION
Fully drain the milk from your breast to minimize your chances of getting mastitis. It’s advisable to allow your baby to completely empty one breast before switching to the other one during feeding. When you have mastitis, feed more often than usual, starting each feed on the sore breast. Massage your breast during feeding and hand express or pump in between.
It’s safe and actually recommended that you continue breastfeeding when you have mastitis.
Thrush
Thrush is a yeast infection in your baby’s mouth, which can also spread to your breasts. It causes incessant itchiness, soreness, and sometimes a rash.
SOLUTION
Your doctor will need to give you antifungal medication to put on your nipple and in the baby’s mouth — if you’re not both treated at the same time, you can give each other the fungi and prolong healing.
With appropriate treatment, many women and babies overcome thrush and continue their nursing relationship. There are practical, effective steps you can take to combat thrush alongside any medication you use. Thrush spreads easily and spores linger on anything they touch ready to infect the next contact. Therefore, a fourfold approach to treatment may be needed: hygiene, diet, dietary supplements, and complementary therapies, medication.
If you are experiencing Plugged Ducts and Mastitis read about the causes, treatment, and frequently asked questions to learn more.
Stay Informed!
Join Our Community for Exclusive Tips & Resources.