Top 10 Breastfeeding Challenges: Women face in weeks 1 to 4 and their Solution

 After birth, breast milk is important source of nutrition for baby.

Breastfeeding challenges

 Few women find it difficult & feel powerless & inadequate. Sometimes these feelings are intense & cause anxiety in new moms.  I had same feelings when I was unable to breastfeed. I think every new mom should understand the mechanics of breastfeeding. Here we will discuss few issues arising during first few weeks & solution to ease new moms.

Inadequate Milk Production

Some women are troubled with less milk supply for their baby.

 During first few days after baby birth, your breasts make a fluid COLOSTRUM. This fluid is rich in nutrients & is important for baby.  

Usually around 3-5 days, your breasts will start making milk. In few moms, there is further delay till 5-7 day due to some reasons like;

Cesarean section, Severe stress, Heavy bleeding after birth, Obesity, Chronic illness like type 1 Diabetes Mellitus or Hypothyroidism etc.

Solution:

·  Try to relieve stress and anxiety. Make sure your baby properly latch on (putting mouth on nipple & areola).

·  Milk supply depends on demand, milk is produced when it is removed regularly from breast. Increase in frequency of feeding will increase milk supply.

Breast Engorgement

Breast engorgement occurs when the breasts become overly filled with milk. It causes discomfort, feeling of heaviness, tense, tender breast. It is not only uncomfortable for mother but also it makes it difficult for baby to take feed.

Solution:

Applying cold packs, pumping, manual emptying, inverse pressure on area to latch on & frequent feeding will help.

(learn more about Breast Engorgement here)

Sore Nipples

 It is common issue in early days of breastfeeding. This is caused by improper positioning & latch on breast. 

Solution:

·  It is important to continue feeding.

·   If you are feeling difficulty in baby’s proper latching on breast, contact your health care provider.

·  Get help as early as possible. If you will not continue feeding other issues may arise.

·   Due to improper positioning of baby, you may have CRACKED NIPPLES too.

·   Learning proper & Effective positioning of baby on nipple is the solution.

Blocked Milk Duct

Sometimes due to breast engorgement & improper emptying, milk duct gets blocked. It feels as a swelling in breast.

Solution:

Continue Breastfeeding, it will help resolve this swelling. Stopping breastfeeding may cause infection in blocked duct.

Mastitis

 When blocked milk Duct isn’t treated, it may cause infection in it. This is called Mastitis. It causes pain, swelling, and redness. It may be accompanied with fever, body aches etc.

Solutions:

•  Contact your healthcare provider/doctor for treatment. Doctor may advise antibiotics.

• Continue Breastfeeding, it will prevent engorgement, help clear the infection and maintain milk flow.

• Take rest & keep yourself hydrated. Adequate rest will help in recovery.

 Difficulty with proper Latching

Some new mothers find it difficult to get their baby latch on properly, which lead to inadequate feeding.

Solution:

Patience & consistency is key. You will learn soon.

You should consult your Health Care Provider or Doctor or Breastfeeding consultant.

You can attend Breastfeeding Classes online or in person.

Fatigue

Some mothers want to do everything themselves. It causes fatigue & soon they find it difficult to feed baby frequently. sometimes, it seems that baby is feeding all day & mom can’t do anything else. It brings frustration along with fatigue.

Solution:

 I think, mothers should ask for help either from partner, Family, friends or hire help

Take rest properly. Your body is already fighting with postpartum fatigue. Take it easy.

Thrush

Thrush is caused by fungus infection that may occur while you are breastfeeding. It presents as pain/soreness in both nipples & breasts. Intensity of this pain varies from soreness to severe. It may occur in your baby’s mouth too.

Remember:

It occurs in both breasts and nipples.

It usually occurs after course of Antibiotics (either baby or you or both).

Solution:

• For nipple, you will use anti-fungal jell or liquid. Pain will relieve in 2-3 days.

• Wash your hands before treating your baby.

• Don’t skip Breastfeeding.

Hyperlactation

Hyperlactation is overproduction of milk than baby require. This is very uncomfortable condition not only for mother but also for baby. Baby can have difficult latching, choking, indigestion etc.

Incidence of Hyperlactation is unknown.

Solution: 

• Check baby for proper latch on your nipple.

• Lean back while feeding, it can decrease in milk flow.

• Block feeding method: offer one breast in one feed and opposite breast after 2 to 3 hours.

• Contact your doctor to avoid complications.

 While concluding, I will say, first few days of breastfeeding are challenging for many new moms, but understanding mechanics of breastfeeding and physiology of lactation is important. Addressing above discussed issues will help this transition easy & comfortable. Women should seek support from healthcare provider or lactation consultant, if need arises.  

Perseverance and patience are key to a successful breastfeeding experience.

 Keywords:

- Breastfeeding, Sore nipples, Breast Engorgement, Mastitis, Latch on, Lactation, Hyperlactation, Thrush, candida, cracked nipple, sore nipple.