There are so many wonderful things about breastfeeding your baby, but it’s not always easy. Many new moms find themselves struggling with one challenge or another at some point. And while every woman and every baby is different, you’re not the first mom to face these challenges. If you are a new mom who is breastfeeding your infant, we understand how difficult it must be for you right now. Breastfeeding can feel like the hardest thing in the world when things aren’t going smoothly, think again!
There are a lot of moms out there who also find it challenging, even those with helpful partners and support groups. But here is some good news for you. Even if you feel alone right now in this moment of struggle, there are plenty of other moms out there who have faced similar problems as yours and have found ways to overcome them and continue breastfeeding their babies. So don’t give up and read on to know more about the most common breastfeeding problems & solutions:
Common Breastfeeding Problems & Solutions
Breastfeeding is a very natural process that still might not come easy to every new mom. Nipple pain and soreness, poor latch, and baby latching on improperly are the most common breastfeeding challenges that moms come across. These problems can be easily fixed with the help of an expert lactation consultant. If you are experiencing any of these challenges, don’t give up on breastfeeding. Instead, find a lactation consultant who can help you with breastfeeding challenges.
If you have a good latch, you will experience almost no pain while breastfeeding your baby. If you do experience pain while breastfeeding, it could be because your baby is not latching on properly. A poor latch can also result in breast infection. If your baby does not latch properly, then he or she might not be getting enough breastmilk. This could result in your baby becoming dehydrated, which is one of the leading causes of infant deaths.
Many moms experience engorgement, which is a swelling and tenderness of the breasts that almost always happens in the first few days after giving birth. Engorgement is caused by a sudden increase in the amount of breastmilk flowing to your breasts, as well as a decrease in the amount of breastmilk being removed from your breasts.
Pain and soreness while breastfeeding
If you experience pain and soreness while breastfeeding, then you might not be latching your baby on properly. It is important to ensure that the baby is latching on properly to prevent any future complications and to ensure a healthy breastfeeding experience for both the baby and the mother. The baby’s mouth should be wide open and formed like an “O” when they latch to your breast. You should feel the baby’s tongue touching the roof of their mouth and their gums pressing against your nipple. If you feel a lot of pain while breastfeeding, then your baby’s latch might be too tight.
To fix this, your partner can hold the baby’s head in place while you reposition your breast inside the baby’s mouth. The other reason why you might experience pain while breastfeeding is because of an infection. If your nipples are cracked, red, inflamed, or swollen, then you might have an infection.
Baby refusing to breastfeed
If your baby is refusing to breastfeed, then you should first try to correct the latch. Sometimes, a baby will latch on too tightly, which might result in pain for the mother. If this is the case, then you can correct the latch by taking the baby off your breast and repositioning them. If your baby is refusing to latch on because they are too sleepy, then you can gently rub the baby’s back and shoulders to wake them up. If your baby is refusing to latch because they are hungry, then you can feed them with a bottle. If your baby is refusing to latch because they are uncomfortable, then you can try to calm them down by holding them close and speaking to them.
Baby is constantly hungry and wants to breastfeed constantly
If your baby constantly wants to breastfeed and seems hungry all the time, then they might have reflux. Many babies have colic and reflux, which is a condition that causes them to cry often. However, some babies have colic and reflux, which is characterized by constant hunger. If your baby has colic and reflux, then you can try feeding them small amounts of formula or breastmilk several times a day. If your baby is hungry all the time, then they might have a disorder called hyperphagia, which is excessive hunger. If your baby has hyperphagia, then you can feed them small amounts of formula or breast milk throughout the day.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding is a very natural process that still might not come easy to every new mom. Nipple pain and soreness, poor latch, and baby latching on improperly are the most common breastfeeding challenges that moms come across. These problems can be easily fixed with the help of an expert lactation consultant. If you are experiencing any of these challenges, don’t give up on breastfeeding. Instead, find a lactation consultant who can help you with breastfeeding challenges.
