Solve 10 common problems of breastfeeding mothers

Breast milk has many benefits for both you and your baby. However, many nursing mothers face many problems when they first "experience" this sacred stage after giving birth.

Most first-time moms find it difficult to breastfeed and it will take a while for both you and your baby to get used to it. aFamilyToday Health will help you dispel the common problems of breastfeeding so your baby can suckle faster and more comfortable.

1. Nipple pain

One of the difficulties faced by breastfeeding mothers for the first time is the headache of the nipple (nipple). If your baby latches on and hurts his nipples for more than 1 minute, you should double-check that the baby is feeding correctly and the way you breastfeed your baby is correct  .

Baby's incorrect suckling position is the most common cause of this phenomenon. If you have nipple pain that lasts more than a minute while breastfeeding, try checking the mother and baby's position.

The best solution is when you breastfeed, try to hold the baby in the most comfortable position so that the baby's mouth is symmetrical with the nipple and make sure the baby's lips are attached to the nipple and part of the areola. To make it easier for your baby to suck and feel comfortable for yourself, you can place a soft pillow under your baby's buttocks and back to lift the baby up relative to your breasts. Place your thumb and index finger on the breast.

When the baby is feeding properly, the baby's chin and nose should be touching your chest and your cheeks must be clearly seen. If your baby turns out or turns too much, the baby may be feeding incorrectly, causing him to suck in air, not breast milk. If your baby's posture is correct and you still have nipple pain, there is a possibility that your nipples will be dry, fungal… When you feed your baby, wear loose, soft clothes. You can use Lanolin cream products in between feeds to soften and soothe your nipples.

2. Cracked nipples

Most of the mothers who are breast-feeding experience this very painful situation. During breastfeeding, cracked nipples  often occur. There are many causes of cracked nipples such as fungus, dry skin, improper sucking of milk, and improper suckling. During the first week of feeding, your nipples may crack and bleed when your baby sucks on the nipples. If your nipples are bleeding, don't worry too much, as swallowing some of this blood won't harm your baby.

At this point, what you should do is to feed your baby more often. When your baby is less hungry, his sucking pressure will be softer, making you feel less pain.

You should not treat cracked nipples with alcohol, soap, dry skin medications, or perfumes, as these can make nipple cracks worse. Instead, use only clean water to clean your nipples. You can also treat yourself by applying milk to your nipples and letting the milk dry naturally after you breastfeed as breast milk helps to soften the nipples. Alternatively, you can also take mild pain relievers like acetaminophen or  ibuprofen 30 minutes before feeding your baby. If none of the above methods are successful, you can use an over-the-counter lanolin cream specifically designed for breastfeeding mothers to treat cracked nipples. Alternatively, you can use a hard plastic nipple protector placed inside the bra.

3. Milk gland obstruction

Blockage of milk glands occurs due to a blocked ducts causing milk to accumulate in the follicles and the pipes behind the block, causing swelling, soreness and stiffness in the nipples. This is a fairly common condition among breastfeeding mothers. The telltale sign of this is that the chest has a hard, red, swollen lump that makes you feel pain.

If you have a fever with breast tenderness these could be signs of an infection caused by an obstruction of the milk gland. It is best to see a doctor for prompt diagnosis and treatment by a doctor. The cause of the obstruction of the milk gland can be:

You do not breastfeed early and often cause the amount of milk not to be released so it stays in the lactation system

The type of  bras  you are using is not suitable (usually too tight).

You are too stressed during lactation

Poor nutrition

You do not clean your nipples well, causing bacteria to enter.

If you encounter this problem, use a warm bag and place it on the breast area, massage and use a breast pump to clear the flow of milk. If the obstruction of the milk duct still does not improve, see your doctor so that your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.

When you encounter this problem, get plenty of rest, massage, warm compresses and use a breast pump to stimulate the flow of milk. Remember that clogging of the milk gland is not harmful to your baby, but the problems it causes can be painful and uncomfortable.

4. Breast erection

The secretion of too much milk also causes many harm to both mother and baby. Milk secreted too much makes the breast always full and easily lead to mastitis. The milk secreted too much makes the pregnancy always erect, making it difficult for the baby to suck on the nipple. At the same time, making the baby's milk feeding too much leads to the increase in the amount of lactose in the intestine, making the baby feel uncomfortable or vomiting.

In addition, breastfeeding mothers are often full of breast milk, making you tend to feed continuously even when your baby is full. This invisible makes the baby feel uncomfortable. You can use a breast pump to pump down milk before feeding your baby. This will help you and your baby feel better.

Sometimes the painful erection makes you afraid to breastfeed. This will make the erections worse. Do not skip any feed your baby and maintain breastfeeding day and night. In addition, you should use a little clean water to soften the nipples before feeding so that the milk drops faster and more naturally.

If your baby does not finish feeding, you can express the milk to freeze for later use or give to babies who lack breastmilk. You can learn how to express breast milk and how to properly store  it here .

5. Mastitis

This is one of the most common problems in breastfeeding mothers. Mastitis is an infection with flu-like symptoms such as fever and chest pain. The cause of the disease is prolonged cracked nipples or blocked ducts, causing milk retention, leading to inflammation.

Antibiotics and hot compresses are effective treatments for this. Therefore, if you have mastitis while breastfeeding, see your doctor immediately. Mastitis does not affect the quality of breast milk, so it is still possible to maintain breastfeeding to give your baby the necessary nutrients.

6. Fungal infections

Candida infections can cause  thrush in young children . And then, the disease spreads to the breasts of nursing mothers. Candida infection causes your breasts to be itchy, painful and red.

You can treat it by applying an antifungal medicine to your baby's nipples and mouth. If you have a yeast infection, remember to treat both you and your baby to avoid cross-contamination.

7. Mom is breastfeeding but not enough milk

Breastfeeding only works when you provide enough milk for your baby. Without enough milk, your baby will not gain the right weight for the age. This also means that your milk cannot handle the baby's hunger.

Breast massages and regular use of a breast pump to stimulate lactation can solve this problem. Besides, you should eat a lot of dairy foods and avoid foods that are not good while breastfeeding such as coffee, chocolate ...

If you have applied the above measures and you still do not have enough milk to meet your baby's needs, please refer to aFamilyToday Health's formula for breastfeeding with formula .

8. Baby sleeps while breastfeeding

During the first few weeks of life, babies often sleep a lot. So the baby oversleeping while breastfeeding often happens. While your baby is suckling, if you notice your baby's sucking pace slowly slows down, his eyes are half-closed, and his mouth slowly leaves the nipple, find a way to wake him up .

9. Nipple drop

You can check for this by gently grasping the nipple with your thumb and index finger. If the nipple is shrinking, not protruding, the nipple is receding. This does not affect your health but will make it harder to breastfeed your baby.

10. The mother who is breastfeeding has chest pain when the milk comes down

Our female breasts function as a machine. When you feed your baby, all of the parts extend downwards to assist in pushing the milk out of the chest. This process makes you feel uncomfortable, even sharp, while in some people it only feels a little tingling in the nipples.

If you only feel a tingling sensation as the milk drips down, relax. If the condition is more severe, such as sharp pain, check for signs of mastitis , breast infection , and related signs. If not, see your doctor to check if you have another medical condition.

Through the above sharing, hopefully you have learned some more ways to solve common problems when breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a simple and effective way to get you and your baby together. Therefore, please enjoy these wonderful moments with your baby.