Breastfeeding Problems

Breastfeeding is important and is supposed to be a must. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Most mothers have a hard time getting started, while others encounter breastfeeding problems after sometime.

There are certain breast feeding problems that are fairly easy to manage, but there are others that may be hard to deal with as well. Blocked ducts, or the early phase of mastitis is the usual condition that nursing mothers have to contend with. Mastitis is another very common breast feeding issue. It is characterized by a breast inflammation which may at times, rapidly result to an infection. Mothers who suffer from mastitis feel like they have the flu. There is one in every ten mothers who face this condition while breastfeeding. This occurs when milk is being produced faster than it is actually removed from the breasts. Soreness, redness, and swelling on the area affected may be observed. Although mastitis may be a sign of infection, it is usually just an inflammation. To ease and get rid of this breast feeding problem, simply ensure that your baby is feeding properly. Use breast pumps to remove milk when the baby is not feeding. Take warm baths and do breast massage to reduce inflammation.

Sore nipples are not rare for women who are breastfeeding for the first time. However, these should not last for more than a few days and they are not an inevitable part of breastfeeding. The onset of sore nipples is generally caused by the inappropriate breastfeeding position. It can also be due to a baby who’s latching on poorly to the breast.

Sore nipples may be considered by some as among the normal breastfeeding problems but if the latch and positioning are both appropriate, then is probably the presence of thrush. This type of yeast infection can be transmitted from your breasts to your baby’s mouth. Thrush is mostly a result of antibiotic intake either by the mother or baby during or right after birth. Although nursing can be painful, thrush is fairly easy to treat. Consult your doctor if you feel you have such condition.

Among all the problems of breast feeding, milk supply issues are the common concerns of nursing mothers. Majority of mothers quit breastfeeding because of the fear that their babies are not getting enough milk. But experts say that it is highly unlikely for mothers not to have adequate milk for their babies. There are several ways to determine if you’re baby is being getting all the breast milk he needs, these are: baby is nursing not less than 8 times a day; baby is making distinct and frequent sucking and swallowing; baby wets not less than 6 diapers and passes from 1 to 5 stools per day; baby regains birth weight at 3 weeks old; baby is very active and has healthy skin color. If you’re worried that your milk supply is lower than the demand for it, visit your doctor or lactation consultant for advice.

A lot of mothers stop breastfeeding their babies long before they really have to. While it is not normal for babies to bite, it does happen – several times in fact. The main reason for this particular breast feeding problem is the babies’ teething issues. Teeth start to appear at various ages. Some remain toothless for several months after others have had a couple of teeth, while there are babies who already have teeth right from the time they were born. But on average, teething starts when the baby is around six months. Thus, it is “normal” to experience being bitten by your baby while nursing. Although this is not a grave problem, you have to make your baby understand biting is not allowed. Don’t nurse him until he’s really hungry, and give him your full attention while breastfeeding.

Not all breastfeeding problems are experienced by every nursing mother. However, just because you encounter one or two hitches does not mean that you should deprive your baby the breast milk he deserves. And, you won’t be nursing him forever anyway.