Breastfeeding is accepted as the healthier option for both baby and the mother. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends that new babies be exclusively breastfed during the first six months. But things may not always be smooth, considering that breastfeeding is a skill the baby – and possibly mother – may yet have to learn. Here are tips to resolve the common problems lactating mothers face:
1. Breast engorgement
A common problem new mothers face during the first week of delivery is hard and painful breasts. This happens mainly because milk and lymph fluid fill up the ducts in the breast, causing the breast tissues to swell and close the milk ducts. The accumulated milk causes pain and engorgement. But this situation is normal and resolves over time. Meanwhile it is vital to keep breastfeeding. Put ice packs or clean cabbage leaves on the breast may ease the swollen tissues. A warm pack over the nipples just before feeding will also allow milk to flow better.
2. Sore and painful nipples
Often the baby “latches on” (takes the breast in the mouth) to suckle incorrectly. This is usually indicated by smacking or sucking noises, inconsistent flow of milk, or most of the areola (dark portion around the nipple) outside the baby’s mouth. Repeated instance of incorrect latching cause nipple soreness, or cracked and bleeding nipples. This can make the process of breastfeeding uncomfortable and also thwart your confidence.
You can correct the latch by gently inserting a finger inside the baby’s mouth and loosening the latch. Then sit or recline in a comfortable position and place the nipple in the center of the baby’s lower lip. Ensure that the baby is properly latched on again, or try again.
If the nipple of one breast is cracked or bleeding, feed the baby from the other breast. But remember to squeeze out milk from the breast which is affected. Applying lanolin-rich creams and air-drying the nipples after each feed will help to heal bruised nipples. Nipple shields may be used to feed from affected breasts.
3. Infection
Milk is a rich breeding ground for germs. Sometimes engorged breasts can lead to mastitis, a painful infection of the breasts. This causes fever and flu like symptoms along with painful breasts. However, you need not stop breastfeeding. Consult your doctor immediately and take the antibiotics or fever reducing medication such as paracetamol prescribed by him.
Some infections may lead to a breast abscess (pus filled boil) that needs to be drained surgically. Signs of an abscess include pain, tenderness, hardened breast tissue and painful swollen lymph nodes in the armpits. Fever with chills may develop too. Another infection common in breastfeeding mothers is yeast infection or thrush. Itch in the nipples or white deposits left in the baby’s mouth are indications of thrush.
4. Inadequate milk
While most mothers suspect that their milk supply is inadequate, with a few this is really a problem. If your baby cries for more even after nursing or more frequently than usual, lies listless all day, or fails to gain weight on consecutive visits to the pediatrician, you may need to check if your milk supply is enough. Breasts work on the “demand-supply” principle – if all milk is not drained from them completely at each feed, their supply diminishes. Fatigue and stress can also contribute to this. One thing you can do is ensure that you are rested and relaxed when you breastfeed.
The milk that you secrete initially is the watery and lactose rich fore milk; this is followed by the calorie rich milk known as hind milk. Babies who get only the foremilk he/she may suffer from excessive gas, hunger and incomplete nutrition. To avoid this, ensure that your baby gets both types of milk. If supply is inadequate, feeding the baby only with foremilk will further deprive the baby of nutrition. In this case, squeeze out milk from your breast later. This milk will have both the fore and hind milk and provide adequate nutrition to your baby.
5 Nipple confusion
A baby fed with a bottle in the early weeks finds it difficult to breastfeed later. Unlike passive sucking from a bottle where the milk flows of its own accord, breast milk needs to be actively suckled by the baby. If your baby seems confused at the breast or is not sucking properly, use your free hand to press milk into the baby’s mouth initially till he/she learns to suck. Do not introduce the bottle before your baby is comfortable with breastfeeding. Most babies can breastfeed comfortably at around six weeks, so wait till then at least.
Ideally breastfeeding should be continued exclusively for six months. If you are a working mother and decide to resume work before six months, you may supplement your baby’s diet with formula feed during the day and breastfeed when you get home. Another option is to squeeze out breast milk and store it in refrigerated bottles which can be given to the baby during your absence. Be sure to empty your breasts at least once during your time away from your baby to keep up the milk supply.
You may find it difficult to make the baby accept the bottle after exclusively breastfeeding for the first three months. Introduce one or two bottle feeds a day two to three weeks before you want to make the breast-to-bottle switch. If your baby refuses formula you can offer breast milk squeezed out in a bottle. Talk to your baby cuddling him/her with the bottle as while breastfeeding. Avoid wearing low-neck dresses while introducing the bottle. Also warm the nipple of the bottle to body temperature – babies like it better that way.
Most of these initial problems resolve within the first few weeks. The key is to stick to breastfeeding without resorting to other means at least during the initial days.
source: bolohealth
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