Common Breastfeeding Problems

Common Breastfeeding Problems

by Wendi Blaire, author of “Hello Milk, Bye Bye Milk”

Breastfeeding-related discomfort is common and easily solved. Here are the common breastfeeding problems, their causes, and their methods of treatment.

 Nipple soreness – This is usually caused by the condition of your nipple (too moist or too dry) and the improper positioning of your baby while you are breastfeeding him. To soothe dry nipples, use olive oil or lanolin ointments. When your baby begins to teethe, he may chew on your nipple, so provide him with something to chew on before you breastfeed.

 Breast engorgement – This is a common and painful condition for breastfeeding and weaning mothers. The buildup of milk and blood constricts the blood vessels inside the breast. What you can do if you are suffering from breast engorgement is to simply relax in a comfortable position and use a warm water bottle or a heating pad to soothe the sore breast. To avoid breast fullness, you may want to breastfeed more frequently.

 Mastitis. Breast infection or mastitis can present itself with symptoms ranging from fever, muscle soreness, and breast tenderness. Mastitis may be a result of physical exhaustion, emotional stress, skipped feedings, plugged milk ducts, severe breast engorgement, cracked nipples, and improper choice of bra. A tight maternity bra encourages infection. Mastitis can be treated by natural remedies like warm compresses, rest, and switching to an appropriate maternity bra. Antibiotics must be your last resort. Take note that even with mastitis, you can safely breastfeed your baby. In fact, breastfeeding can help clear the problem.

 Thrush. Caused by the yeast Candida albicans, thrush is a rare yeast infection which usually results during or after a course of antibiotics. So, skip antibiotics if you can and resort to other treatment methods that do not alter the balance of microbial flora in your body. The symptoms of thrush are redness in the nipples, breast discomfort, and redness in your baby’s mouth. Antifungal medication prescribed by a healthcare provider is used to treat thrush. But you can opt for natural ways to eliminate it – probiotics, for example. Yogurt intake counters yeast and restores the bacteria-yeast balance in your body.

Wendi Blaire is the author of “Hello Milk, Bye-Bye Milk: An Expert Mom's Ultimate Guide to Breastfeeding and Weaning.” To learn more about weaning, go to http://www.weaningbreastfeeding.com/ To check out Wendi Blaire’s book, visit http://www.byebyebreastfeeding.com