Warning Signs of Breastfeeding Problems- All You Need to Know

Introduction:

During breastfeeding, both mother and baby may face certain difficulties that can risk both individuals’ lives. The mother can develop various conditions preventing her from feeding the child, such as painful nipples, decreased milk production, or other medical conditions. Similarly, the child may also develop conditions requiring immediate medical attention, such as inactive children, tongue ties creating poor breastfeeding latch, and seizures, which can all contribute to breastfeeding problems.

What Are the Most Common Conditions Affecting Breastfeeding in Infants?

Conditions affecting breastfeeding in infants could be due to the following reasons.

• Inadequate Milk Supply: This could be due to insufficient milk production from the ducts. During breastfeeding, ensure the child sucks all the milk from the ducts or pumps the excessive milk into a bottle.

• Milk Leakage: This could be due to a let-down reflex which allows the passage of milk from the ducts. It can also occur as a result of excessive milk in the ducts. Mothers can wear special nursing pads under the bra to prevent the excessive flow of milk from breasts.

• Engorged Breasts: After the delivery, the size of the breasts increases due to increased milk production. This is known as breast engorgement. This can be managed by regularly feeding the child.

• Craniofacial Anomalies: Children born with congenital disabilities like cleft lip and palate find it difficult to feed from the breasts due to improper fusion of anatomical structures. Various prosthetic devices can cover up those spaces for easy feeding.

• Inverted Nipples: In some women, the nipples are turned inside, making it difficult to grip the breast tissue during feeding. This could be a result of enlarged breasts or flat nipples. This can be treated by tightly pressing the areola region and feeding the baby. A massage of the nipples can also pull them out.

• Improper Breastfeeding Latch: If the child does not know to grab the soft tissue while feeding, this can lead to a decline in milk production and make the child undernourished and cry all the time. This can be corrected by placing the baby in the correct position over a pillow support, grabbing the child to breastfeed, and encouraging them to suck the breast tissue.

• Nipple Soreness: Sore nipples can be caused due to improper latching, cracks, dryness, and even bleeding. Avoid using hard soaps and body lotion on nipples. Instead, use Lanolin-based products which are skin sensitive.

• Blocked Milk Ducts: This could be due to swollen milk ducts. It is caused as a result of frequent breastfeeding at a high rate. This can be corrected using a warm compress.

What Are the Warning Signs Observed in Infants During Breastfeeding?

Soon after the delivery, in some cases, babies get sick very fast and die too quickly. Following are the warning signs noted during nursing a child.

• Trouble Feeding: This is one of the most common warning signs observed among infants. The child does not breastfeed at all or does not show any signs of appetite. The child does not get up from sleep for feeding.

• Inactive Baby: The child does not show any positive signs of activity. The child is not alert and behaves sluggishly, and feels drowsy. The child tends to sleep all the time and sleeps even during feeding. On alerting the child by making some noise, the child barely shows any signs of alertness and remains asleep.

• Epilepsy: Abnormal bodily movements of a baby that is uncontrollable can be a significant warning sign. This can be followed by abnormal staring, blinking of eyes, unusual movements of the lips, seizures, abnormal tightening of feet, and jerking of the arms.

• Cold Body Temperature: This is another warning sign of infant abnormality. The baby has a cold body temperature, which can be warmed up by placing the child on the mother's body. If the child does not recover, then it is a sign of concern.

• Fever: Cool the baby down with a wet gauze piece if the child develops extreme heat flushes on the body.

• Trouble Breathing: If the child develops difficulty breathing or has a high breathing pattern with the chest and belly showing a rocking motion, then the child has some medical problem.

• Jaundice: If the child has yellow color eyes, skin, and urine, then it is indicative of jaundice.

• Redness of Umbilical Area: A moist umbilical cord indicates infection. This can develop into swelling and pus discharge, creating a foul odor. The baby’s belly may also swell.

• Pus-Filled Blisters on Skin: Light yellow pus-filled blisters on the baby’s skin is a sign of skin infection. This can spread across the body and can grow in size.

• Drainy Eyes: The eyes are swollen and discharge pus, making them difficult to open. This could be due to an eye infection.

How Can Breastfeeding Problems Be Managed?

Management of breastfeeding issues caused due to breast tissue problems or a child’s insufficiency are as follows:

• Promoting maximum skin-to-skin contact by encouraging the baby to suck the breast tissues. This creates a stimulus reaction for the production of milk.

• Avoid giving formulated milk in bottles initially as it can stop the natural breast milk production and also creates difficulty for the baby to suck the bottled milk.

• The mother should take a nutritious diet and keep herself hydrated for adequate milk production.

• Keep the breast area clean and moisturized, preventing cracks and dryness.

• Ejaculate the excess milk stored in the breast ducts, as it can develop clogged ducts.

• Treat the inverted nipples for proper latching.

• Any signs of patchy white skin should be immediately treated for fungal infections and consulted with a pediatrician or gynecologist.

• Any inflammation, soreness, or redness of breast tissue should be brought to the notice of healthcare workers.

Suppose the child develops any medical conditions that result in reduced breastfeeding, such as high fever, difficulty breathing, bluish skin discoloration, tremors, jaundice, or other skin conditions. In that case, immediate hospital admission should be made, and treatment should be given at the right time.

Conclusion:

Infants are highly susceptible to infections and diseases, leading to sudden death syndromes (SIDS). The child should be protected by constantly being on guard till the weaning period ends. Any abnormal medical condition observed should be immediately treated. A counseling session should be given to the lactating mother about the care of infants. The caretakers should follow proper guidelines about vaccination and timely nutritional supply.