What Are Major Breastfeeding Problems?

By Author: Dr Easton Patrick
Total Articles: 531
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Fortunately, young mothers are now well educated about the benefits of breastfeeding their newborn babies. They know that their breast milk is packed with several essential nutrients, antibodies, and antioxidants that are good for the well being and health of the baby. Breastfeeding immensely helps in the proper physical, cognitive, and emotional development of a baby and is the best way to protect the baby from various illnesses and infections. Moreover, breastfeeding absolutely improves your emotional bond with your baby. There is nothing in the market that is as safe and beneficial as your breast milk.

Although breastfeeding is a relaxing and completely enjoyable experience, many women, especially new mothers, face certain breastfeeding problems. For instance, nipple soreness is a very common condition among the lactating mothers. Many mothers feel pain or discomfort in their nipples in the first few days of breastfeeding. This condition can be caused by incorrect latch-on position, improper sucking by the baby, breast engorgement, inverted nipples, illnesses, or infections like thrush.

Ensure that your baby ...
... is latching and sucking correctly. Also, take good care of your breasts and nipples. Use only water to clean your nipples and air dry your nipples following each feeding.. An effective means to reduce nipple soreness is to put some expressed breast milk on the nipples. Applying cold tea bags or a warm compress to the nipples is also a remedy for sore nipples.

Breast engorgement is another one of the most frequent breastfeeding problems. This is a painful condition and is characterized by swollen, warm, hard, and painful breasts. Applying heat to the breasts can help you get rid of the symptoms of breast engorgement. Try to take a warm bath or apply a warm compress to your breast before feeding your baby. Frequent nursing is actually very much beneficial to relieve the swelling and pain associated with engorgement. For severe breast engorgement, place chilled green cabbage leaves over your breasts and wear a bra over them.

Mastitis or the inflammation of the breast tissue and plugged milk ducts are two other commonly reported breastfeeding problems. Mastitis produces many symptoms, such as breast pain, swelling, breast tenderness, and an area of redness on the breast. You may also have a fever and feel ill. Mastitis is often caused by bacteria that get into your breast through a nipple skin crack. The symptoms of this condition can be alleviated with the use of antibiotics. Take rest, drink plenty of water, and wear a bra that adequately supports your breasts. Make sure to drain your infected breasts often. If necessary, use a breast pump to completely empty your breast.

Plugged or clogged milk duct is also a painful breast condition and causes wedge-shaped hard lump on the breast. It can result in the low supply of breast milk, and if not treated, can lead to mastitis. A plugged milk duct may be due to improper latch, skipping feedings, or wearing a tight bra. Apply hot packs to the affected breast. A gentle massage of the area is an effective treatment for a clogged duct.

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