How to handle breastfeeding challenges

Breastfeeding is a rewarding experience, so don't let any challenges discourage you from continuing to nurse your baby. As long as you have patience, the proper knowledge, and your physician's guidance, you can overcome any obstacle and successfully breastfeed your infant.

Breastfeeding Challenges and How to Deal with Them

Along with the lack of sleep and exhaustion of having a new baby, breastfeeding has its challenges. But don't worry; every breastfeeding challenge has a solution or a preventative measure to make it much easier for you. Furthermore, you may encounter only some of these challenges, but it is better to be prepared in case you do. Here is a list of the obstacles that come with breastfeeding and how to overcome them.

A. Nipple Pain and Soreness

It is common for breastfeeding mothers to experience sore breasts in the early weeks. The pain you feel when your child latches on might result from an incorrect position or the latch being improperly placed. Breastfeeding will be easier once you and your child find a comfortable latch. This helps ease nipple and pain discomfort.

Whenever you breastfeed, find a position that helps your baby latch on. Start by sitting on a chair where you can sit comfortably and lean back. To latch on correctly, the baby's mouth should be open wide with the chin resting on your breast while their head is tilted back so their nose is not touching your breast. Also, ensure the baby's mouth covers as much of the areola as possible.

If the repositioning and proper latching do not ease the pain, it may be necessary to pump or manually express milk while the nipples heal. In addition, you may also do the following.

• frequently replace nursing pads to avoid accumulating moisture
• air dry breast after feeding
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• apply purified lanolin soothing cream after breastfeeding
• alternate breasts in between nursing

B. Low Milk Supply

Your body produces breast milk in response to the demands of your baby. Occasionally, production may decline, but this is normal, so don't worry. This is only temporary. For increased milk supply, you should stimulate and empty your breasts frequently. Other ways to keep your milk supply up include:

• drinking plenty of water
• offering both breasts during feeding
• make sure you nurse frequently
• pumping when you can't breastfeed
• and getting enough rest

C. Mastitis

Mastitis or breast inflammation occurs when the blocked milk ducts are not cleared and are infected. When the nursing mother doesn't empty both breasts or has a cracked nipple, mastitis can occur. This causes the breast to feel hot and painful and can cause you to feel very ill with flu-like symptoms, chills, stiff and painful area on the breast.

Speak to your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. If your doctor finds the infection, antibiotics can treat it. Mastitis, if left untreated, can lead to a breast abscess that may require surgery to drain. Getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and applying warm packs to your painful breast should also help.

D. Thrush

An infection of the nipples or breasts caused by a fungus is known as thrush. It is also called a yeast infection. There are several signs of thrush, including:

• white spots appear inside of a baby's mouth (cheeks, tongue, or gums)
• nipples that are sore, reddish, shiny, flaky, itchy, blistered, or cracked
• an ache or shooting pain in the breast during or after feeding

Only wash your nipples with water if you think you have thrush. Then, consult your doctor or your baby's doctor immediately. Both of you will need to receive antifungal treatment for thrush.

E. Blocked Milk Duct

Clogged milk ducts feel sore and painful. Symptoms include a hard, tender swelling in one area of the breast. If the breasts aren't being fully drained, this can happen. Warming the breast with moist heat helps loosen it, but the best way to unplug it is to feed more from that breast. Sometimes, changing how you hold your baby can help clear it too.

It is also possible to get pain from a nipple bleb or milk blister. This is a small white blister that appears on the tip of the nipple. Please treat it with a warm compress, gentle massage, frequent nursing, and soaking the nipples with a saline solution.

F. Breast Engorgement

Once your breasts start making milk, they get fuller, heavier, and tender. This fullness occasionally turns into engorgement, causing your breasts to feel stiff and sore. Engorgement occurs when milk builds up in the breasts. It usually happens a few days after giving birth. However, it can occur at any time, particularly when you have a surplus of milk, don't feed the baby, or express milk frequently.

Once your breasts start making milk, they get fuller, heavier, and tender. This fullness occasionally turns into engorgement, causing your breasts to feel stiff and sore. Engorgement occurs when milk builds up in the breasts. It usually happens a few days after giving birth. However, it can occur at any time, particularly when you have a surplus of milk, don't feed the baby, or express milk frequently.

• Nurse frequently after giving birth
• Pump or hand express a bit of milk before breastfeeding to soften the breast and nipple
• You should not use pacifiers or bottles to supplement your baby's feedings until they are 3 or 4 weeks old
• Breastfeed on the engorged side, allowing the milk to flow freely and preventing the breast from becoming too full
• Massage the breast before breastfeeding
• Wear a supportive and comfortable bra that is not too tight
• Drink enough fluids, eat properly, and get enough rest