Facing issues with breastfeeding? Common problems mothers face and why

If giving birth wasn’t wonderful enough, another remarkable thing occurs shortly after your child is born: you lactate or your breasts make milk. However, most women may not find that nursing comes naturally right away. You and your partner might need some time to adjust.

Mothers face some common breastfeeding issues when they’re first starting. Knowing this upfront can help you ensure that you have the backing and dedication you require should an issue arise.

Let’s go over some of the most prominent breastfeeding challenges and how you can overcome them.

Issues with breastfeeding and their causes

Before you give up and discontinue feeding, keep in mind that there is a period of adjustment with breastfeeding, just like there is with something new at first.

1) Problem 1: Breastfeeding hurts

Nipples that are uncomfortable and tender are typically to blame for nursing discomfort, especially as your milk “comes in” two to four days after giving birth. Since your kid will be eating every couple of hours, the issue could worsen quickly. Some mothers may discover that their nipples break, bleed, or develop blisters.

Solutions

• Check your baby’s latch
• Switch positions to see which works
• Connect with a lactation expert
• Let your nipples air-dry post feeding
• Use cream to soothe nipples and avoid cloth friction

2) Problem 2: Breast engorgement

Your breasts may swell and tighten when breast milk fills them over the initial week. Breast engorgement can cause discomfort for you and your unborn child and make it challenging for your infant to latch onto your huge, firm breasts.

Solutions

• Your infant can nurse effectively and expel more milk with a good latch and proper placement
• Use a hand-expression method or a breast pump to extract more milk supply, if your baby isn’t taking to nursing properly or you still feel full after nursing. This will alleviate the stress and soreness
• Remove a small amount of breast milk before you start breastfeeding to relax the breast tissue and make it slightly simpler for your infant to latch on
• Apply warm and cold towels alternately to reduce pain. A clean, cool cabbage leaf can be used in place of a cold pack

3) Problem 3: Clogged ducts

Milk can repost into your ducts and plug them when your breasts are unusually full, or you’ve waited longer than average between feeds. If you have a firm bump on your breast, a tender breast to the feel, or any redness, you may have a clogged duct.

Solutions

• We recommend obtaining enough sleep to clear blocked milk ducts
• Until the duct is cleaned, try feeding the infant on the impacted side first at each mealtime
• Use the handle of an electric toothbrush or an electric massager to stimulate

4) Problem 4: Low milk supply

Breastfeeding is a procurement mechanism, in theory. Your body should produce more milk when you breastfeed or pump more frequently. To find out the cause of poor milk production, it is usually advisable to speak with a lactation consultant. However, there are other potential causes.

Solutions

• Throughout the day, frequent feeding and pumping can help increase your breast milk supply
• Ask for assistance from a lactation consultant, nursing expert, or medical professional who can determine whether you have a milk supply issue

5) Problem 5: Mastitis

Mastitis, often known as breast infection, is an enlargement or swelling of the breast tissue. Mastitis, often known as breast infection, is an enlargement or swelling of the breast tissue. It can also be caused by other frequent issues such as breast engorgement, clogged milk ducts, exhaustion, or illness. If you have a fever, flu-like signs, and redness or pain in your breasts, you may develop mastitis.

Solutions

• Call your physician if you believe you may develop mastitis. If you have an illness, you might need to take an antibiotic
• Although you might believe that having mastitis prevents you from breastfeeding, you can and should keep doing so
• Use a warm compress