Common Breastfeeding Challenges and Solutions

Breastfeeding always becomes a beautiful bonding process with mother and baby, although not always without problems. Every breast feeding journey is unique for the mother, but never hurts to have learned through experience. If it’s your first time or you have already experienced breastfeeding, knowing some of the most common breastfeeding challenges and how to overcome them may even make the experience even more rewarding for both of you.

In this post, let’s talk about some of the common problems that may arise while breastfeeding, along with practical solutions.

Sore Nipples

The most common complaint of breastfeeding mothers is sore or cracked nipples mostly during early days. This might be due to the poor latch or positioning, thus exposing the nipples to undue pressure.

• Solution:

• About securing your baby’s latch, the baby’s mouth should cover the areola (dark area around the nipple) as well as the nipple

• Variation of breastfeeding positions available must be explored for one that works comfortable for mother and baby.

• To ease sore nipples and air-dry nipples between feeds use nipple creams or lanolin.

Low Milk Supply

Many women are worried about how much milk is being produced. Too little milk stresses a mom, and anxiety is already spurred. Low milk supply can easily be caused by stress, dehydration, or a poor latch.

• Solution:

• Feed as often as you can. The more you feed, the more milk your body will produce. Fine to take baby to the breast every 2-3 hours at least.

• Hydrate properly and eat healthy.

• You will pump both breasts at each feeding and allow your baby to drain both fully.

• You would want to go see a breastfeeding counselor if you feel you don’t have enough milk for your baby.

Engorgement

Breast engorgement means the inflation of your breast with milk, which usually causes soreness and is impossible to latch the baby. Such inflation usually happens mostly in the first days of breastfeeding.

Solution:
Nurse or pump with high frequency to relieve tension and completely empty your breasts. Warm compresses before nursing stimulates milk flow while feeding and relaxing the tissue of the breasts.

• Cold compresses immediately after feeding seem to minimize swelling.

• Massage gently, also massage your breasts during nursing to enhance the free flow of milk.

Blocked Ducts

Blocked duct is a situation where milk ducts in your breast becomes blocked, usually caused by lumps, tenderness, or soreness. If not addressed, this can cause infection in the breast.

Solution:

• You need to continue feeding or pumping frequently because this may be sufficient to work out the blockage.

• You can attempt warm compresses or take a hot shower, which helps to ease the blockage
• Massage around the nipple while breastfeeding, very gentle.

• If this does not change, go see your doctor or your lactation consultant.

Nursing Strike

This is a situation whereby a baby will stop nursing abruptly even when previously fine. Such conditions include teething, illness, or distraction of the baby.
 
Solution:

• Relax; do not force nursing to your baby because it creates wrong associations with nursing.
• Give the breast when your baby is calm and not very hungry.

• Introduce breast milk via a bottle or cup and then try nursing again at some other time.

• Ensure that your baby is not painful or uncomfortable due to causes such as teething and ear infections.

Baby not latching well

One of the most common causes of pain and ineffective feeding is a poor latch. A poor latch will cause both you and your baby anguish, so let’s fix this first.

Solution: Make sure that your baby opens his or her mouth as wide as possible while attaching to the breast. Insist on a deep latch, with flanged outward lips.

• Tilt the baby’s chin to the breast so that his nose is facing the nipple.

• Hire a lactation consultant, who’ll give you a variety of techniques you might use if breastfeeding just isn’t going to be straightforward for the mom.

• If you’re struggling with latching, consider seeking guidance from a lactation consultant who can help you with techniques.

Cluster Feeding

Cluster feeding where the baby feeds usually more often than the normal times, mainly during the evening. Although it is exhausting sometimes, it usually forms a stage that will eventually disappear with maturity of your baby.

Solution:

• Allow the baby to feed on her desire in this session of cluster feeding. Make sure you rest and get all the nutrition required to manage demand on milk supply from the baby.

• Sarcosogen at such attempting times when you will be most likely to withdraw yourself from the world and do not hesitate to seek help from your family or friends.

Overactive Letdown

Some mothers have their milk come in so fast that both of you are discomforted. Choking or gulping during feedings becomes common, and you may suffer breast pain or leakage.

Solution:

• Try nursing in a reclined position so gravity can work to slow up the flow of milk.

• Try expressing a little milk before feeding to reduce force of letdown.

• If your baby’s choking, let them pause and swallow before continuing feed.

Breastfeeding in Public

To speak, many mothers are afraid of nursing publicly because that act is often placed under shame or embarrassment in society or can leave them open without a private area.Breastfeeding, on the other hand is a natural act, and the law even extends protection of a mother’s rights in most public places for nursing.

Solution:

• Find a quiet, comfortable space wherein you can breastfeed some privatization if needed.

• In case you are not feeling relieved about privacy at all, use a breastfeeding cover or scarf to make yourself feel comfortable.

• Breastfeeding is one of the lovely and natural acts of feeding through breastfeeding and it is a right to feed the baby anywhere one is.

Conclusion

It is really pretty challenging but, with the right support and strategies, most of these problems will be conquered. Know that you are not alone; most mothers face the same kind of problem. Do not hesitate to reach out to a lactation consultant, your pediatrician, or your support network for help. With patience, persistence, and self-care, breastfeeding will become a rewarding and successful experience for you as well as your baby.