Breastfeeding is something most mothers wish to do as it helps bond with their baby. The problem is that there are several issues that one can face as a new mother. If you find yourself in this position it is a good idea to get to know the common breastfeeding-related problems.
Latching
Latching is a problem for women all over the world, especially first time mothers. Most of the time the issue lies with the technique. The correct technique requires that you hold your baby and support the head, facing the baby towards you. Their mouth should be at the same level as your nipple and they shouldn’t have to stretch the neck to latch on. Use the nipple to tickle the cheek and they should automatically turn to it.
Running out of milk
The mechanism of breastfeeding caters to the baby’s needs and so the breasts will only produce enough milk for to meet these needs. Whenever the baby latches on, hormones are released that promote the production of milk. So, if your baby isn’t latching on then enough milk wont be produced. This happens when you are introducing your bay to other foods so they don’t breastfeed as regularly as before.
Too much milk
On the other end of the spectrum are engorged breasts. It is one of the more common breastfeeding-related problems. This happens when there is too much milk in the breasts. Breasts tend to be swollen and become quite tender, and this usually happens several weeks after giving birth. Generally this will be relieved when your baby starts to feed regularly. With some women this happens months down the line as well, often because the time between feeds is too long. A good way to remedy this is to put cold compresses on it.
Another reason for too much milk is mastitis. This is basically when the ducts in the breast become blocked and the breasts become inflamed causing redness and tenderness. This happens because milk is being forced back instead of being pumped out. This happens with incorrect bras and when babies are not latching on properly. Mastitis is something that needs to be treated with antibiotics. If it were to be left any longer there would be the danger of an abscess forming. If have symptoms of it you should get to a doctor immediately.
Painful breasts
Painful breasts can result from a number of things. The most common reason for pain is engorgement and bras that do not fit well. Sore nipples often happen as a result of incorrect latching. The baby should have the entire nipple in the mouth and be pumping down on the breast itself to get the milk out. Many people are under the impression that they should be sucking on the actual nipple but this is not the case. This is what causes the pain. With that you can get a dermatitis with red and painful skin. Try to avoid using harsh soaps and creams, as these will dry out the skin even more.
