4 Health Problems Faced During Breastfeeding

Although breast feeding is considered to be the natural part of being a mother, it doesn’t necessarily come as easy to everyone especially in the case of first time mothers.

Experiencing problems when breastfeeding for the first time is completely normal and you should have nothing to worry about if you are encountering any problem.

As a matter of fact, there are some common problems which are always reported by women when they are breastfeeding. Let’s have a closer look at the problems to sort them out in a better way:

Health Problems Faced During Breastfeeding

Sore Nipples
This is one of the most frequently occurring problems amongst women who are feeding their babies. The primary reason why the nipples become sore is the fact that your baby is probably not attaching properly to the breast. Tenderness in the first few days of breastfeeding is expected but actual pain is not a good sign. A child health nurse should immediately be consulted to ask the right position for attaching the baby and avoiding sore nipples. However, the position is not the only reason why nipples become sore.

Try offering your breast to the baby when they are not crying due to hunger. This is because a calmer baby will be gentle on the breasts and prevent sore nipples. Your baby might also not be able to breastfeed because there is a problem of tongue tie or something similar. A lactation consultant can sort out this problem. Sore nipples can be dealt with in the short term with the assistance of nipple shields. If your nipples are extremely sore, you can use a breast pump to express your milk or use your hand which is gentler. If your milk is not let down at the beginning of the feed, it will hurt. Try triggering your letdown before your baby starts to feed because once the milk starts flowing, the pain eases. The problem of sore nipples is usually short lived and will vanish.

Nipple Infections
Both thrush or bacteria might sometimes infect cracked nipples. A course of antibiotics might also be the reason for the development of thrush. Shooting pain in the breast and sore nipples are symptoms of these nipple infections.

It is painful but the real risk is that it can be passed onto the baby. Treatment can vary for every woman but usually ointments and oral medications are used for this purpose.

Blocked Milk Ducts
You probably have a blocked milk duct if you feel fine but a sore lump has appeared in your breast. This problem can be eliminated in several ways. A woman can give the affected breast first to the baby and massage the lump in the direction of the nipple. The affected breast has to be emptied so feeding should be done frequently.

In order to break the lump, a hot shower should be taken and the lump should be massaged under water. Soften the lump before feeding by using a warm compress. Try expressing by hand if frequent feeding is ineffective. Fitting of the bra should be checked and it should be removed during feeding. Positioning your baby properly can also help.

Mastitis
In the first few weeks of breast feeding, it is normal for a woman to have swollen breasts. But a woman might be suffering from mastitis if the breast is swollen, inflamed or red. Chills and feelings of flu are also experienced. The same tips that are followed for blocked milk ducts should be followed.

In addition to that, a doctor should be consulted immediately because inflammation and infection need antibiotics for healing. Breastfeeding has to be continued during this time otherwise the chances of developing breast abscess increase considerably. Rest is also necessary for a mother if they are suffering from mastitis.

Women all over the world experience some of these problems when they are breastfeeding but they are not very dangerous if attended to immediately.