How To Deal With Breastfeeding Difficulties

Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the best way to feed a baby, as it has a beneficial effect on both mother and infant. And also, it can protect against various health problems. However, many women who start breastfeeding stop before the recommended minimum of six months. They often do this because they encounter various difficulties that they cannot deal with on their own. For this reason, it is imperative to seek and receive help from a medical professional or breastfeeding consultant at the first difficulty!

Although you may have enough breast milk - breastfeeding difficulties may occur!

The most common difficulties in breastfeeding by the mother

The occurrence of the so-called Magadi - painful wounds that appear on the nipple. They can be further infected, which makes breastfeeding even more painful and causes it to stop. In order to prevent rashes, after the birth of the child, it is necessary to observe good hygiene and proper breastfeeding. The small agendas should be smeared with emollient ointments or creams. Before each feeding, the nipples should be washed thoroughly. Cotton clothes and bras are preferable. If the rashes are very painful, it is necessary to stop breastfeeding. In such cases, the milk is expressed with a breast pump.

If sunken nipples are found, the mother can use special plastic discs with a central hole or vacuum nipple correctors.

Inflammation of the breast retains milk, which can lead to obstruction of the milk ducts. A swelling forms, following the outline of the lobe of the breast, it is red and very painful. There may be fever and chills, as well as the impaired general condition of the mother. The reasons for the formation of mastitis are various: reduction in the number of feedings or improper breastfeeding during feeding, tight clothing, and others. In such cases, the child should be breastfed more often so that the milk ducts can be well-drained. The position of the baby should be changed, this helps to better squeeze the individual parts of the breast. With the right measures, improvement occurs in the first 24 hours. If the pain is accompanied by cracking of the nipple or no improvement, it is necessary to take an antibiotic.

In some breastfeeding mothers, spontaneous leakage of breast milk may occur, especially if they are full. If this happens to you, do not rush to worry - this is not a bad sign. The condition can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, but this is how milk production is improved.

Women who have stopped breastfeeding most often say they did so because they did not have enough breast milk. In fact, most mothers have enough milk for their babies, and if production is really low, this can be a temporary situation and can be improved with appropriate measures.

Breast milk varies for each woman according to the food she eats (immediately before breastfeeding and the overall diet), the individual fractions during one breastfeeding, the different hours of the day, the frequency between feedings and the age of the baby. Breastfeeding mothers often worry about the quality of their milk. You need to know that it is nutritious and unique in composition just for your own child. The nutrients in it are extracted from the food you eat. Therefore, it contains all the necessary substances needed for the proper growth and development of your baby. To make sure your child is taking everything he or she needs, evaluate your own diet .

Difficulties on the part of the baby

Because many babies sleep longer in the first few months after birth, it can happen that yours falls asleep on the breast during breastfeeding.

The best way to wake up is a sip of milk. Squeeze your breast slightly between your thumb and forefinger and the baby will respond immediately by sucking and swallowing. Another thing you can do in such cases is to place your little finger in the corner of the baby's mouth between the nipple and the palate to release the breast. You can make him burp briefly, talk to him, tickle his legs, or massage his back, and then offer the other breast.

Sometimes the flow of milk is quite strong after weaning and it is possible for the baby to feed quickly. So if he continues to refuse, just let him sleep. When the baby grows up he will be able to stay awake for a longer period of time, so don't worry.

If you have this problem, it is necessary to seek medical help, as the baby's reluctance to eat may be due to a health problem: thrush, vomiting, sore throat, nasal congestion, or other illness.

This is a common and harmless fungal infection in the baby's mouth, also known as candidiasis. It is characterized by the presence of white spots on the inside of the lips and cheeks that cannot be washed. 

These changes in the lining are painful and the baby may often miss the breast during breastfeeding and start crying. The infection can also affect the breasts as a result of breastfeeding, causing itching, soreness, the skin of the breasts is red and shiny, and sometimes a rash is possible.

To eliminate the problem, your doctor will prescribe antifungal creams and gels for you and your baby. You need to maintain good hygiene and wash your hands thoroughly after applying antifungal cream to your breasts. If the infection is more serious, you may need to take tablets.

After each breastfeeding, a number of doctors recommend offering the baby some water to wash off the milk. In this way, according to them, the favorable environment for the development of fungi in the oral cavity, which is created during breastfeeding, is disturbed.

It is necessary to smear the baby's oral cavity with the creams or gels recommended by the doctor after breastfeeding is over.

More information in the topic: " Breastfeeding and thrush ".

Many newborns vomit frequently. In most cases, this is due to their immature digestive system and the fact that they consume a large amount of milk for a short period of time. This happens if they breastfeed too fast or the mother's breasts are full. Another cause of vomiting is the ingestion of large amounts of air during breastfeeding. Some babies start vomiting during teething or eating solid foods. Usually after 7-8 months of age up to a year, this problem disappears.

There are other more serious problems that can lead to vomiting on the part of the child. Yeah, they're like that:

• sensitivity to an ingredient in breast milk that may be due to maternal herbs, medications, or certain foods;
• gastroesophageal reflux - the disease is especially common in premature babies and those with other health problems. Typical signs of the disease, in addition to frequent vomiting, are choking, frequent belching, bad breath, hiccups, restless sleep. Children with this disease refuse to eat, gain little weight, have respiratory problems, and others;
• pyloric stenosis - this problem is rare, but with a very characteristic manifestation. Vomiting in babies resembles a fountain. It is 4 times more common in boys than in girls and usually occurs between 3 and 5 weeks of age. It is necessary to seek medical help.

If the baby opens his mouth and twists, but quickly then releases the breast to take in air, he most likely has a stuffy nose. In such situations, it is good to clean the baby's nose before breastfeeding. For this purpose, you can use a nasal aspirator, then instill 1-2 drops of saline solution in each nostril.

Breastfeeding is also adversely affected by changing conditions and noise!