Introduction
Almost all mothers across the world worry about breastfeeding. Even if everything is going smoothly between you and your baby, it persists as a concern. Breastfeeding is a natural process and takes time and practice for a woman to perform it correctly and efficiently. A mother usually produces enough milk to fulfill the needs of the newborn. The worry behind breastfeeding may sometimes be mistakenly diagnosed as low milk supply. Still, you need to know that some signs during your postpartum period indicate the initiation of your breastfeeding.
However, if there is any concern that is problematic for your breastfeeding and causing you pain, in that case, you should consult your doctor or lactation counselor to get a diagnosis for the signs that you are experiencing to have smooth breastfeeding.
What Are the Common Breastfeeding Challenges Faced by a Mother?
A bond between the mother and baby should be established to experience successful breastfeeding. Every mother comes across breastfeeding problems sometimes in their lactation phase.
The most commonly encountered breastfeeding problems are,
1) Sore Nipples
It is one of the most common problems that many breastfeeding mothers encounter. Breastfeeding mothers may notice their breasts growing sensitive and tender during the initial days after delivery. It is because your body is undergoing physiological changes while adjusting to breastfeeding. If you show some visible signs like soreness, cracks, blisters, or bleeding in your nipples and experiencing long-lasting pain and soreness, you need to consult your doctor immediately. The possible reasons causing it includes improper baby latch and positioning, fungal infections, nipple trauma, or the formation of milk blisters. Symptomatic treatments are advisable for a woman suffering from breastfeeding problems because of sore nipples.
2) Low Milk Supply
Usually, all mothers secrete enough milk according to the needs of their newborns, but they still worry about their nourishment. Even if a woman is suffering from a low milk supply, she should know that this problem is temporary, and many things can be done to correct it. Baby's sucking your nipples and emptying your breasts are the main factors that regulate the volume of milk flow.
You may suffer from a low milk supply if you are,
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Unable to establish a good latch and positioning.
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More dependent on formula milk for feeding your baby.
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Switched for early weaning.
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Smoking or drinking alcohol.
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Under some hormonal medicines, including oral contraceptives.
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Or maybe because of your previous breast surgery, premature birth, and pregnancy-induced blood pressure.
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If you have developed breast inflammation called lactation mastitis.
A mother can quickly increase their milk supply by following simple tips like breastfeeding often, maintaining skin-to-skin touch with the infants, massaging the breast, using both breasts for feeding, eating nutritious food, and drinking enough water.
3) Breast Engorgement
Breast engorgement is the swelling and distension of the breast that occurs during the postpartum period. Your breast may be swollen, painful, firm, and milk-filled. The causes behind breast engorgement include a large gap between breastfeeding, dependency on formula milk, improper latching techniques, early weaning, or wearing a tight-fitting bra. Some simple modifications can help you to get rid of breast engorgement. These include; breastfeeding from the engorged breast first, practicing a proper latch, massaging your breast before, during, and after the breastfeeding, extracting extra milk, and applying cold compression on your breast.
4) Lactation Mastitis
Lactation mastitis affects breastfeeding mothers and causes inflammation of the breast tissue, which may or may not be associated with infection. Milk stasis is the primary cause of lactation mastitis. The causative factors responsible for milk stasis are blockage of the mammary duct, breast engorgement, breastfeeding frequency, improper latch positioning, and milk blister formation. Smoking, stress, age, and any complications during delivery are the associated risk factors for lactation mastitis. The treatment for lactation mastitis includes milk removal, symptomatic treatment, antibiotic therapy in case of infection, and supportive counseling.
5) Fungal Infection
A breastfeeding mother may develop a fungal infection or thrush around her nipples or in the breast. It makes the nipple sore, pink, flaky, shiny, itchy, cracked, or blistered. You should consult your doctor immediately to identify these signs as they may get transferred to your baby, and the baby may develop white spots on the cheek, tongue, or gums.
6) Nursing Strike
Sometimes a baby refuses to breastfeed; this is a nursing strike. It may be because your baby is upset, distracted, sick, you smell different, or the baby is not getting enough milk from you. A nursing strike can be resolved simply by giving extra love and affection to the baby by holding them close to your chest, feeding in a quiet and calm environment, and trying a different nursing position.
7) Size and Shape of Nipples and Breasts
All mothers can experience successful breastfeeding irrespective of the size and shape of the breast and nipples. A woman with a flat or inverted nipple can also breastfeed their babies by developing a good latch and positioning with the baby. The main goal is developing and practicing a position that makes your baby's mouth cover enough of your areola and compress your mammary ducts to promote milk supply.
8) Cluster Feeding and Growth Spurts
Cluster feeding is when your baby demands breastfeeding often. It is usual for babies to seek breastfeeding frequently while in their growth spurt phase. Sometimes when you are tired, sad, or depressed, you might find breastfeeding harder. Good nutrition, adequate rest, and care from elders and your partner may be helpful. New moms may find it difficult to feed their babies in public and consider getting a judgment from others. It would help if you handled breastfeeding with confidence without caring about any judgment.
Conclusion
All women experience various problems during their early phase of breastfeeding. Proper breastfeeding develops with time and practice. Sometimes the difficulties resolve with practice; other times, it requires seeking support from lactation consultants. Every problem when it comes to breastfeeding has a solution. You may ask for help from your elders and discuss issues with your partner. You must know that your breastfeeding experience must be pain-free, and in case of any difficulty, you may consult your doctor.
