Breastfeeding is one of the natural ways to establish a strong bond between mothers and their newborns. Also, breastfeeding indeed offers several health benefits for both mother and the baby, but we often fail to shed light on those silent struggles faced by the new mothers. Just understand that if you are struggling, you are not alone, and fortunately, most problems can be solved with proper information and support. Further, let’s have a close look at the most common breastfeeding challenges new mothers face and how to address them effectively.

What are the challenges faced by new mothers in breastfeeding?

Latching issues:

One of the challenges faced in the early stages of breastfeeding is poor latching, which results in pain on the nipples, reduced milk transfer, and the baby will be unsatisfied. To deal with this, you can try:

Positioning: Try different positions such as cradle hold, cross-cradle, football hold, or lying down. Just seek what suits you and your baby.
Deep latching: The baby’s mouth should cover more of the areola and not just the nipple.
Get professional help: Lactation consultants offer hands-on guidance to correct latching problems.

Sore and cracked nipples:

Several mothers experience pain, cracks, or even bleeding from the nipples, notably in the early days post-childbirth. When you can try:

Checking the latch: A shallow latch is often the root cause. Rectify this to prevent further damage.
Use cream: This is highly safe for babies and effective in soothing irritation.
Dry your nipples: Don’t always keep your nipples moist, as it paves the way for bacterial growth.

Engorgement:

At times, the breast will become overly full and hard, making it difficult for the baby to latch. When you can try:

Breastfeeding frequently: Don’t wait too long between feedings. Emptying it frequently can prevent engorgement.

Use cold compresses: To reduce swelling, consider applying cold packs between breastfeedings.

Hand express: Your breast will become soft enough for the baby to latch.

Reduced milk supply:

According to WHO, a few mothers will worry that their baby is not getting enough milk, notably when breastfeeding them frequently. For this, you can try:

Feed on demand: Milk production will be increased when you often breastfeed your baby.

Stay hydrated and eat well: Your body needs more fluids and calories to produce milk.

Avoid formula supplementation: Unless medically necessary, as it may reduce the demand for breast milk.

Concentrate on foods: Foods such as oats, fenugreek, and lactation teas may assist boost supply, but you should discuss with the best gynecologist in Coimbatore first.

Oversupply milk:

It may sound like a blessing, but too much milk will overwhelm a baby, resulting in coughing, choking, or fussiness during feeds. You can try:

Block feeding: Nurse from one breast per feed or for a few hours before switching.

Express a little before nursing: Assist in reducing initial forceful let-down.

Burp often: Assist in relieving discomfort from swallowing excess air.

Plugged ducts and mastitis:

A closed milk duct feels like a tender lump and will result in mastitis, an infection of the breast tissue. When you can try:

Keep breastfeeding: Nursing often or pumping will assist in clearing the blockage.

Massage and warm compress: Apply mild heat and gently massage the area towards the nipple.

Rest and hydrate: To fight against infection, your body needs energy.

Get medical help for mastitis: In case you have flu-like symptoms, fever, or red streaks, medical help is crucial.

Nursing in public:

Several new mothers feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public. So you can consider:

Wearing nursing-friendly dresses: Wearing tops with easy access will make it more discreet.

Using a nursing cover: Use it if you feel comfortable.

Practice at home: Boost your confidence by breastfeeding in front of the mirror to break the shyness.

Know your rights: Breastfeeding in public places is legal in several countries, so don’t let shame stop you from breastfeeding in public places.

Returning to work:

Balancing work and breastfeeding remains a huge challenge for several new mothers. So you can try:

Start pumping earlier: Practice getting your baby to use bottles of expressed milk.

Invest in a quality breast pump: Choose one that suits your requirements.

Properly store your milk: Follow safe milk storage practices.

Cluster feeding:

At times, you will overfeed your babies in short intervals, notably in the evening. It can be exhausting and confusing. Then you can try:

Understand it’s normal: Cluster feeding often happens during growth spurts.

Be patient: Simply, when staying silent, it will resolve on its own in a few days.

Take breaks and rest: Make others do other help around the house, when you are breastfeeding.

Emotional challenges:

Several mothers will experience guilt, anxiety, or sadness when breastfeeding is not going as planned. Then you can try:

Talking about it: Share your feelings with family members, your partner, or support groups.

Know that fed is best: Whether it is breastfeeding or bottle feeding, what matters is that your baby is healthy and loved.

Get professional help: There are a lot of chances for developing postpartum depression, which will interfere with breastfeeding, so you should not hesitate to get help.

How can I solve my problems with breastfeeding?

As mentioned above, breastfeeding can be challenging, notably for new mothers, but most of the time, all problems will be solved with the proper support and approach. In case you are experiencing latching issues, firstly, change your breastfeeding position and make sure your baby has a deep latch covering more of the areola. Also, when experiencing sore nipples, observe the latch, apply cream, and completely dry your nipples before the next feed.

Dealing with engorgement or reduced milk supply? Frequently feed your baby, stay hydrated, and use a warm compress or gentle massage to help milk flow. Also, when you are dealing with a plugged duct or mastitis, continue nursing, apply heat, take some rest, and reach out to your doctor when experiencing fever or pain.

Whenever feeling overwhelmed or anxious, just keep in mind that you are not alone. Discuss with your lactation specialist to get personalized assistance, and never hesitate to get help from family, friends, or support groups. Keep in mind that fed is best whether by breast or bottle. Simply, not all babies and mothers are not the same, and also there’s no shame in asking for help or choosing what’s best for you and your baby. Patience, self-care, and the proper guidance make all the difference in your breastfeeding journey.

Are there any breastfeeding tips to help new mothers who are struggling with it?

Helping new mothers who are struggling with breastfeeding typically starts with empathy and patience. Several mothers feel overwhelmed, guilty, or even that they’re failing when things don’t go smoothly, and all you need to do is reassure them that they’re doing their best and that challenges are common.

Encourage those mothers to get help from a lactation consultant, who can offer expert guidance on latching, positioning, and breastfeeding routines. Assist them in doing household chores or take care of the baby so the mothers can rest and focus on breastfeeding. Remind her to stay hydrated, eat nourishing meals, and take breaks, simply, a mother’s well-being directly impacts milk production and emotional health.

Avoid judging them or pressuring, instead, offer a listening ear and positive reinforcement. Also, if she’s planning to choose a supplement or switch to formula, support her decision, what matters the most is that the baby is fed and healthy.

Being in a calm and supportive environment will make a lot of difference. You need to understand that breastfeeding is a journey, and with the proper support, most mothers can find what works best for them and their babies.

How to breastfeed an infant who refuses to drink milk?

In case your baby is refusing to breastfeed, it will create stress for you, but don’t panic. Typically, infant refusal is temporary and can be caused by different reasons, such as illness, teething, a change in routine, or even a strong let-down reflex.

Start by developing a calm, quiet environment free from distractions. You can also try skin-to-skin contact with your baby, they will feel safe, and this encourages natural feeding instincts. Change positions and experiment with the side-lying, cradle hold, or laid-back nursing, your baby might prefer one over the other. In case your let-down is too forceful, express a little milk before latching to reduce flow pressure.

Ensure your child is neither overly hungry nor overtired, as this can make them fussier. Try feeding them when they are calm, like once after they wake up. Gently encourage but never force the baby to latch, as this will increase the resistance.

In case the refusal increases, pump your milk and give it through a spoon, cup, or bottle to maintain supply. Notably, reach out to a pediatrician or lactation consultant near you to rule out medical problems and get professional help.

Which position is good for breastfeeding?

We can’t state one particular position as the best position because it completely depends on what feels most comfortable for both the mother and baby. Also, the commonly recommended positions for breastfeeding include:

Cradle hold: This is one of the most common positions, where babies lie across the mother’s chest, supported by an arm on the same side. It is recommended for full-term babies and experienced mothers.

Cross-cradle hold: This is similar to the cradle hold, but the opposite arm holds the baby. It gives better control of the baby’s head, this method will be good for newborns.

Football hold: In this method, the mother will keep the baby in their arms. This is ideal for mothers who have delivered their baby through C-section or those with twins.
Side-lying position: Both mother and the infant will lie on their sides facing each other. This works well at night and post-surgery recovery as well.

No matter what the position is, ensure that the baby’s head and body are aligned, and they latch well for a comfortable and effective feed.

When should I reach out to the doctor?

New mothers should consider reaching out to a doctor or a lactation consultant when experiencing challenges with breastfeeding. In case your baby is not latching properly, feeding frequently, or feeding too little, or looks unsatisfied post-feeds, professional help is crucial. Also, when noticing that your baby is not gaining weight, has only a few wet diapers, and looks sleepy and weak, consult your pediatrician.

When it comes to mothers, you should look for sore, cracked, or bleeding nipples, breast pain, lumps, or signs of infections such as swelling, redness, or fever, which highlight mastitis or other issues that require treatment. In case you feel extremely anxious, sad, or overwhelmed when breastfeeding, never hesitate to discuss with your doctor about the emotional support.

When reaching out to the best gynecology hospital in Coimbatore early, you can avoid complications, ease your breastfeeding journey, and ensure your child is getting the nourishment that they require. Just keep in mind that support is available, and you don’t need to deal with this alone.

Bottom line:

In conclusion, we can say that breastfeeding can be beautiful, but it may be a challenging journey for mothers. Every mother’s experience is different, and struggles are more common than most people think. Simply, don’t be hard on yourself. You may deal with latching problems, milk supply worries, or just feeling overwhelmed, remember, there’s help available, right from lactation consultants and pediatricians to other moms who have been there.