Breastfeeding is a cozy way to get to know your newborn baby, but for everyone it is not associated with closeness and cuddle. For some, it takes time to get started and find the right, for others it doesn’t work at all. Here MomInformed.com gathered the most common problems and tips on how to solve them. Breastfeeding can be a bit tricky but should not be a struggle so seek help if it doesn’t resolve. And remember that it is you yourself who decide if and how long you want to breastfeed, no one else.
- Wounded nipples
Getting sore nipples can hurt a lot and is usually due to the baby lying in the arms or not getting a proper hold of the breast. Maybe the baby is too far away from the chest or at the wrong height? Look where the wound is located, it can give a hint of where the problem lies. Is the wound on the underside of the nipple – place the baby a little lower. If it is on the right side – move the child a little more to the right.
If you suffer from sore nipples, you can test this:
- Be careful about hand hygiene, always wash your hands before breastfeeding.
- Lubricate the nipple with some of the milk both before and after breastfeeding to help the healing process on the pile. Breast milk is a bit of a miracle drug. Avoid washing the wound with soap.
- Let the baby breastfeed on the least evil breast first.
- Avoid clothes and bras that rub against the nipple. Do you want to use a bra – make sure to choose a soft and supple lactation bra that allows the skin to breathe.
- Breastfeeding protection in silicone can reduce the pain.
- Special ointments for scarred nipples help the wounds to heal and are harmless to the baby.
- Silicone breastfeeding buttons protect the nipple.
- Does not help any of the above, take a break and hand milk the breasts instead.
- If the wounds do not get better in a week, contact BVC.
- Milking
Milk bumping is caused by the passage of milk into the breast, usually only affecting one breast. Common signs are that the chest suddenly becomes swollen, lumpy, red or hot. Milk bumps can also cause chest pain, muscle and headache, high fever and chills in the mother. To avoid milk congestion, be sure to breastfeed regularly without long breaks and make sure the baby has a good hold on the breast. Making clean sore nipples and not wearing anything too tight bra can also work for a preventive purpose.
Have you been affected by dairy? Try the following:
- Continue breastfeeding if possible. Start with the affected chest but don’t forget the other. Do it too badly, milk out by hand or with the help of a breast pump. Emptying the breast properly and getting the flow started is an important part of the treatment.
- Lightly stroke your hand over the hard area and out towards the nipple. It can make it easier to get the milk out.
- Make sure to rest when given the opportunity, test new breastfeeding positions and try to relax while breastfeeding.
- For some, it feels good to warm the breast before breastfeeding by, for example, showering hot.
To keep in mind:
If you are pregnant when you are suffering from dairy or have problems for more than two days, contact BVC or breastfeeding clinic.
- Milk leaks
Producing lots of milk is good, but having breasts that are delicious can cause both painful and embarrassing situations. Maybe you are sitting at an important job meeting when suddenly a dark spot spreads on your nice silk blouse or you wake up in the middle of the night in a splashy bed. High milk production can also cause colic symptoms and cause diarrhea in the child. But there are effective ways to solve this kind of problem.
Good tricks that can solve milk leakage problems:
- As with many other common breastfeeding problems, milk leaks may be due to the baby getting a bad grip on the nipple and thus not being able to suck properly. The chest then becomes overcrowded and eventually leaks. Start by making sure the baby is right. It should lie straight against the chest so it does not have to turn its head to reach the nipple. The head should be slightly bent back.
- Breastfeed as soon as you see the baby seems hungry. If you breastfeed a little more often than usual, the breasts will also not become overcrowded.
- The pharmacy sells various types of breastfeeding inserts that are placed in the bra. There are also so-called breastfeeding cups that help to take care of the excess milk.
- Do you have big problems? Try only breastfeeding from a breast for a few hours. When the other breast becomes tense and full without being emptied, it gives signals to the body to reduce milk production.
- The child does not want to grasp the breast
If the child does not get hold of the breast or in the worst case it rattles completely, it can be easy as a mother to feel rejected but also stressed that the child should not get enough food. But be patient. It can take anywhere from a minute up to an hour for the child to find the right grip. Try not to stress, but let the child have the time it needs. Breastfeeding half-lying with the baby on the upper body or walking in a baby harness can also help. Another trick is talking calm. Experiment. The important thing is that you get to know and react to your child’s signals.
Tricks that can solve the problem:
- Pay attention to the child’s hunger signals and breastfeed immediately when you see them.
- If the child is angry or very sad try to start over. Calm down your baby by talking calmly and try again.
- Test different breastfeeding positions. If you are breastfeeding in a baby harness or carrying shawl, lower the baby so that your mouth is level with your nipple. Help support the chest with one hand if needed.
- If the baby is fed alternately with a bottle, the reason for her breast pumping may be that it is too slow in relation to the flow in the bottle. Make sure you pick a pacifier with a small hole.
- If your breasts are tense, try hand-milking some milk. Then the breasts become softer which makes it easier for the child to get a good grip.
Thinking about:
None of the above contact BVC or breastfeeding counselor.
- The right amount of milk
Knowing if the baby gets the right amount of milk is almost impossible. Firstly, you do not see how much milk the child gets, secondly it is not unusual for half to come up again. In the vast majority of cases, breastfeeding will usually resolve by itself when the child shows that it is hungry. Common signs are that the child starts to move his eyes, turn his head sideways, yawn and bring his hands to his mouth to finally start screaming. If the child releases the breast but still does not seem satisfied, it may be a sign that it is time to change the breast. Keeping track of the growth curve at BVC is a certainty for many.
Good to think about:
- Let your baby breastfeed whenever he wants.
- If the baby releases the breast but still does not seem satisfied, try with the other.
- Count the number of kiss diapers. 4-6 diapers per day is good.
- Are you worried? Book an extra time for weighing at BVC.
- Do you have bad milk? Try breastfeeding more often to increase milk production. Use breast pump if needed or milk out by hand.
- Make sure you drink yourself fluently.
- Breastfeeding looks different for all mothers and children and there is nothing that is right or wrong. It is important to find what works for you and your baby. The important thing is that the child is healthy and develops normally.
