Breastfeeding an infant has its challenges. This can be difficult to moms having one or more breastfeeding problems.  The most common problems related to breastfeeding include engorgement, sore nipples, plugged ducts, and mastitis or breast infection.

These are useful guidelines that will help moms cope with breastfeeding problems.

Engorgement

Breast engorgement occurs when milk supply builds up more quickly than your baby’s appetite.  When breasts are engorged, they feel warm to the touch, firm, swollen, and painful.  The breasts become excessively full with a tightened areola and flattened nipples.  This makes latching and nursing difficult.

To prevent engorgement, nurse your baby as often as 8-12 times in 24 hours.  If you miss any feedings, try to express your milk by hand or by using breast pumps.  When weaning your baby, do it gradually to let your body’s milk production adjust gracefully.

Experts recommend a cold compress applied to the engorgement for a few minutes to relieve pain and reduce swelling.  Before feeding the baby, you can take a hot shower or apply hot moist towels to your breasts since this encourages milk release.  You may also hand-express your milk after applying moist heat to make latching easier.  

Using a properly-fitted, nursing bra can support full breasts and help alleviate the discomfort of engorgement.

Breast engorgement often subsides within a few days as mom and baby adjusts to the supply and demand of breast milk.

Sore Nipples

Sore nipples should be expected during the first week of breastfeeding.  This generally subsides after the first week.  If the pain or soreness continues after this time, this is more likely due to nipple injury which may be caused by any of the following:

(a)improper baby positioning during breastfeeding
(b)improper latching
(c)baby biting
(d)sometimes caused by an infection

If pain continues throughout a nursing session, persists and does not reduce after the first week, or if you suspect an infection, consult a healthcare provider.

When your baby begins teething, his gums will swell and itch and biting seems to relieve the discomfort.  To comfort your baby and reduce biting, provide something cold and wet to chew before breastfeeding.

Sore nipples can be treated by nipple ointments.  This has to be prescribed by your healthcare provider.  An alternative is to use purified lanolin or hydrogel dressing applied to the sore area after a feeding.

Plugged Ducts  

A plugged duct is a sore, tender lump in an area of the breast.  This is an inflammation caused when the flow of milk is blocked and milk does not drain well.

To treat this, you are encouraged to frequently and completely empty the breasts of breast milk by feeding the baby from the affected area and expressing milk by hand or breast pump.  Massage breasts and take warm showers to promote milk release.  Taking sufficient rest is also advised.  

If the inflammation does not subside within 72 hours, you should consult your healthcare provider for evaluation.

Mastitis or Breast Infection

Mastitis or Breast Infection causes flu-like symptoms such as aching muscles, fever, and a hot tender area on a breast.  This is often a result of the other breastfeeding problems mentioned above such as nipple injury, plugged ducts, engorgement or when moms are stressed and exhausted.  Continued breastfeeding even with this condition is safe for the baby but you are advised to consult a doctor for treatment.

Treatment includes taking antibiotics for the infection, continued feeding from the affected area, moist and warm compresses, and most importantly, moms with this condition are advised to take sufficient rest.

Freelance Contributor: Hazel Zanoria

Breastfeeding is easy and simple.  For new moms, it could be difficult at first but it will soon feel very natural when you get used to it.  Here are some breastfeeding basics that can teach you how to breastfeed your baby.

Breastfeeding Positions

The cradle position is the most popular position used by most moms.  This is done by positioning your baby in your forearm with his head on the crook of your arm and supporting his bottom with your other arm.  Pull your baby close to you with his belly touching yours.

Another breastfeeding position is called the football position.  This is done less often but is useful to moms who had a cesarean section.  Place your baby on a pillow that is tucked closely to your side.  Then using your arm that is resting on the pillow, bring your baby’s mouth to your breast with your hand supporting his head.

If you want to rest while nursing, you can do the side-lying position.  Lie down on your side and rest your head comfortably on a pillow.  Bring your baby close to you with your arm supporting his bottom.  Use your other hand to bring your breast to your baby’s mouth.

Latching

Many lactation experts advise that latching is the key to effective breastfeeding.  This is how you do it.

• Place your thumb and forefinger around your areola.  This is the dark shade around your nipples.
• Tilt your baby’s head up slightly and tickle his mouth with your breast until it opens wide enough to take a good portion.
• When his mouth is wide enough, help him scoop your breast into his mouth by putting on the lower jaw first then placing the upper jaw closer to your breast.
• Make sure that he takes the whole nipple and a good portion of the areola.

Observe if your baby had a good latching.  You will see him sucking and swallowing.  If you didn’t get a good latch the first time, remove your baby from your breast and try again.  This is important to avoid sore nipples.

How often should you breastfeed?

Newborns need to nurse for about eight (8) to twelve (12) times a day.  You need to nurse a breast-fed baby more often than formula-fed babies because breast milk is more easily digested.

At one to two months, this frequency decreases to seven (7) to nine (9) feedings or less.  This further lessens as your baby grows older.

Finishing a Feeding
 
Breastfeeding sessions usually last for 20 to 45 minutes.  Continue feeding until baby lets go of your breast, stops suckling, unfolds his/her fists, or when baby appears relaxed and about to sleep.  

To break the suction, slip a finger in the corner of his mouth gently.  This is done to avoid pain.

Nursing by alternating between one breast and the other is recommended. 

Freelance Contributor: Hazel Zanoria

Health experts around the world promote the advantages of breastfeeding.  It is likely you have heard about the adage that says “Breast Milk is Best for Baby” in infomercials and other types of media. This is to remind new and modern moms that although infant milk formulas that promise good health for your child are becoming more and more popular, they do not surpass the advantages of breastfeeding and the health benefits it can bring you and your child.

Advantages of Breastfeeding for Baby

Breast milk is easily digested, best tolerated and this is basically all your baby needs to grow for the first six months of life.  With its perfect balance of nutrients, you are assured of your baby’s health.

Research has shown that breast-fed babies enjoy a healthier life than bottle-fed babies.  This is because breast milk contains natural antibodies that protect your baby from infections, illnesses, and allergies while enhancing his/her cognitive and social development.  

By breastfeeding, you reduce your child’s risk of many illnesses such as childhood diabetes, respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, urinary infections, ear infections, eczema, asthma, obesity, leukemia and many others.  It has also been found to help reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).  

It generally enhances your child’s immune system to help his/her young body fight diseases.  This immunity foundation allows your baby to enjoy a healthy life not only in his childhood but also later in life.

Advantages of Breastfeeding for Mom

Breastfeeding is not only beneficial to your baby but also for you.  It helps reduce the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis.  It also promotes emotional health after one month postpartum, decreases the insulin requirement in diabetic women, and helps moms significantly lose weight after a pregnancy.

The best thing about breastfeeding is the special bond you create with your child and the sense of achievement to see your child grow and enjoy a healthy life because of something only you can provide.

The longer you breastfeed, the greater the health benefits will be for you and your baby.  The World Health Organization recommends that you exclusively breastfeed your baby for the first six months then gradually introduce solid foods and may continue breastfeeding until twelve months of age.

Freelance Contributor: Hazel Zanoria