The journey of motherhood is a privilege and is filled with incredible and sometimes daunting tasks such as the beautiful art of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is a skill that both you and baby learn together but sometimes, as in any learning process there may be some bumps along the way!
Getting professional support from a midwife or lactation consultant can prevent these from hampering your breastfeeding journey unnecessarily and/or occurring all together.
Here are a few common issues that can occur.
Breast engorgement:
Breasts become very full, hard and painful.
It can occur during initial breastfeeding as the mom’s body is trying to stabilize breast milk production according to the needs of the baby.
It may also occur as baby drops a feed or goes through a growth spurt.
Massage breasts in the shower gently with the palm of your hand and use frozen cabbage leaves to ease the symptoms.
Blocked ducts:
This can occur if breast engorgement is not managed correctly and a blockage occurs in the milk duct.
An indicator is that the breast will begin to drain less or sometimes not at all.
Often a small lump is felt but there are no signs of redness or infection.
Seek help from a physiotherapist or lactation consultant.
Cracked nipples:
This is a common complaint which is more prevalent in moms with fair or sensitive skin.
It occurs if the baby is latching incorrectly due to: incorrect or poor positioning of mom and baby while feeding or unresolved engorged breasts that make it difficult for baby to latch.
Inverted or very flat nipples: Issues with baby’s sucking reflex and or ability (prem baby, tongue tie).
Laser done by a physiotherapist really helps with this.
Ensure that the baby’s latch is corrected.
Mastitis:
This is caused when an infection gets into the breast either through cracked nipples, or an unresolved blocked duct.
Signs include fever, fatigue and a hardened red area in the breast.
Should you begin to present with any these signs consult your physiotherapist and or doctor as soon as possible.
A few tips:
Get help with breastfeeding technique (midwife, lactation consultant etc).
Always ensure you and baby are well positioned during a feed.
If a latch is painful and does not ease DO NOT continue – unlatch and start again!
Never pull baby off the breast, always break the suction first – put your finger into baby’s mouth to unlatch and relatch.
Don’t neglect any of these breastfeeding niggles.
