Congratulations on the arrival of your little one! As you embrace this new chapter of motherhood, one of the incredible experiences ahead is providing your baby with nourishment through breastfeeding. While this journey is a beautiful bonding time, it's not without its hurdles. Fear not, for with the right guidance and support, you can conquer these challenges and ensure smooth sailing. In this blog, we will cover the five common problems of breastfeeding and how to overcome them.
Embracing the Journey
Sore Nipples: A Rocky Start
In the early weeks, sore nipples are common due to feeding techniques or positions. The key to resolving this lies in teaching the baby how to latch correctly, ensuring the baby covers both nipple and areola. To heal, care for your nipples by using cold compresses between feeds, applying expressed breastmilk afterwards, and allowing them to air dry before using nursing pads and a comfy bra.
Breast Engorgement: Nature's Signal
Breast engorgement, or the feeling of fullness in the breasts occurs as milk and blood gradually accumulate a few days after childbirth. This condition causes the breasts to swell, become exceptionally firm, and result in considerable discomfort. However, this signifies active milk production and it's a common condition that persists for 24 to 48 hours. Prevent it by finding a cosy feeding spot, gently massaging breasts, and expressing milk manually with warmth. Nursing more often for 15 minutes or using an electric pump helps avoid engorgement and provides relief.
Plugged Milk Duct: Gentle Solutions
A clogged milk duct results in swelling and a tender lump in the breasts. Milk ducts may become plugged if the baby does not feed properly or the mother skips feeding or emptying the breasts for a long time. Under such circumstances, apply a warm compress and massage the lump gently to get rid of the plug. You can also try different breastfeeding positions, but do not stop breastfeeding as it will worsen the problem.
Mastitis: Tackling Infections
Mastitis is a common infection of breast tissue that causes aching muscles, fever and breast pain with redness. The infection occurs when a milk duct gets clogged, and the trapped milk gets infected with bacteria from the baby’s mouth. To treat Mastitis, you need to consult a physician for the antibiotics. Continue to feed your baby from the infected breast as it is safe for your baby and will prevent further breast engorgement. Apply a moist and warm compress to the sore area to relieve pain. If feeding seems impossible, try pumping out or manual expression to get the milk out of the breast. Finally, make sure you get enough rest.
Nipple Vasospasm: Managing Discomfort
Nipple vasospasm occurs when the blood vessels in your nipples tighten, restricting blood flow and causing discomfort like pain, burning, or numbness. They may even appear white or blue before returning to their normal pink hue when circulation improves. To alleviate this, maintain overall warmth by dressing warmly and keeping your body cosy. After nursing, promptly cover your nipples and use warmth if symptoms arise. Massaging your areola with olive oil and gently stretching the surrounding breast muscles several times a day can enhance blood flow to the nipple area.
Embracing Triumphs over Tribulations
Navigating the breastfeeding journey comes with its set of challenges, but armed with knowledge and techniques to address common issues, mothers can navigate these hurdles successfully. Sore nipples, engorgement, plugged milk ducts, infections like mastitis, and nipple vasospasm are familiar foes. However, learning proper latch techniques, ensuring consistent feeding, applying warm compresses, seeking medical advice when needed, and maintaining warmth and care can significantly ease these concerns.
Remember, each challenge is transient, and with patience, support, and the right strategies, the rewards of breastfeeding often outweigh the temporary obstacles encountered along the way.
Child Help Foundation understands the benefits of breastfeeding for newborns. Along with its crowdfunding partner, Filaantro it has established several Baby Feeding Centres at hospitals, temples, police stations and railway stations across the country. The initiative has benefitted 56,615 beneficiaries, helping breastfeeding mothers with a safe and secure environment to feed their infants comfortably.