As a new mom, you want to believe that once you get the hang of breastfeeding, there will not be any other issues and everything will be perfect. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if that were guaranteed? Unfortunately, even a veteran breastfeeding mom runs the risk of experiencing different complications that sometimes come about as a result of breastfeeding. On the other hand, new moms breastfeeding may not experience any of these difficulties. I share these breastfeeding problems for new moms because it is always good to be prepared and know what to watch for so you can prevent or address any problems quickly.
Breastfeeding doesn’t always come easy, but you’re not alone in facing the challenges. Discover practical tips and expert advice on overcoming common breastfeeding obstacles, empowering you to navigate through the difficulties and establish a successful breastfeeding journey.
Breastfeeding Issues For New Moms: What They Don’t Tell You
Breastfeeding is a natural process and it feels pretty special and miraculous to have that special connection with the baby. I assumed it would be as simple as offer my nipples to the baby. And honestly, it was almost that simple. However, there were some unexpected breastfeeding issues. So here is the 411 on the information they don’t tell you about breastfeeding complications. If you know about these problems, they are easier to avoid.
Clogged Milk Ducts
Perhaps the most common of all breastfeeding issues, clogged milk ducts can be a huge pain in the most literal sense. They can happen without any rhyme or reason as they just appear one day as soreness in your breast. Similar to feeling like a bruise, the clogged duct feels tender to the touch. You may wonder if you stop breastfeeding, but keep going because you need baby’s suction a the natural way to help break up and pull out the clog.
Other ways to break up the clog include applying warm compresses and massaging the tender area. It will hurt, but it will eventually feel better as the clog breaks apart. Another great idea is to massage your breast under warm water in the shower to also help break up the clog. You may trigger milk let down, but don’t worry about it. That actually helps because it starts the milk flow which means that you will be better able to get the clog out. Be sure to work diligently to get the clog out in order to keep from developing mastitis.
Mastitis
Mastitis is what happens when you don’t break up a clog in a milk duct, instead, letting it fester into an infection. This type of infection is extremely painful and can cause other issues like fever, nausea, and extreme breast tenderness. I had a mild case of mastitis and my midwife had me eat raw garlic to fight the infection and pump to try to clear the clog. That worked for me when I experienced this breastfeeding problem.
The earlier you recognize the problem the more chance of being able to quickly solve it. Make sure you consult a qualified heath professional with any concerns or questions.
To take care of this mastitis, antibiotics may be necessary which usually means that you will not be able to continue to breastfeed during this time. That does not mean that you have to give up breastfeeding, but it does mean that you will need to use a breast pump regularly and dump the contents. For a situation like this, a manual breast pump would be a good choice so you can adjust pressure as necessary since your breasts will be tender. You definitely could not save the breast milk to be used at a later time due to the antibiotics. If you stop breastfeeding altogether, your milk supply will decrease and it will be nearly impossible to get it back.
Leaking Breasts
While more of an annoyance than a complication, it can cause complications for moms, especially those that are not aware that leaks can happen. I didn’t know about this and it caught me by surprise. I had to look it up to find out why my breast were spraying milk! Quite embarrassing! I bought a few reusable cotton nursing pads and problem solved! So this is one of the most useful breastfeeding tips for new moms. You will need the nursing pads to prevent a wet shirt in public!
You will find that you may experience let down at the cry of another baby. It may feel like the oddest thing because that baby isn’t yours, but your body has been trained to react a certain way. In that way, your body knows to react to your baby’s hunger cues and may interpret another baby’s cry as that particular cue. Let down happens as a result because normally, the faster the milk comes, the happier baby is when it is time to eat. With that said if you haven’t taken precautions like wearing breast pads under your bra, when you leak, it will show through your shirt. While this is not really a breastfeeding problem, this leaking can be a huge inconvenience if you are not properly prepared!
Cracked Nipples
Cracked and bleeding nipples are not normal by any stretch of the imagination, yet they are very common. The cause of cracked nipples is usually related to baby having a bad latch. What is happening is that your nipple is rubbing up against the roof of baby’s mouth, causing unnecessary friction which further causes the nipples to eventually crack.
If pain cannot be resolved within a few days, then a professional should be consulted. If you aren’t sure where to look for a lactation consultant, try your local hospital or birthing center. Another great resource is La Leche League, which is a group that has chapters on a global scale. The women involved with La Leche League are there to support all of your breastfeeding efforts and answer questions about any breastfeeding issues.
This did happen to me. It was relatively minor breastfeeding problem and an organic nipple balm helped it heal quickly.
Yeast Infection
Yeast infections of the breast are also known as thrush. When you develop a yeast infection on your breast, it will most likely spread to baby’s mouth. As a result, both you and your baby will have to deal with thrush. Unless you break the chain, this can turn into a vicious cycle. If your baby still has thrush after your infection has been cured, then you can get it again.
The only way to get rid of a yeast infection for good is to treat both mommy and baby at the same time. At that point, you would pump and dump again because the milk coming out of the breast will be tainted with your yeast infection and the anti-fungal medication that you would be taking. The same premise applies in that if you don’t pump, your milk supply will decrease and it will be difficult to get it back.
This problem never happened to me and hopefully it won’t happen to you either. If you are concerned about it, click the thrush link above to see more detailed information from the La Leche League. Always consult with a qualified medical professional about concerns and questions.
Breast Pump Tips:
A breast pump is super useful to nursing mom, even stay at home nursing moms! They are great to help combat many of the aforementioned breastfeeding problems. They also aid in breastfeeding when you do have to separated from your little one for too long. In fact, I believe the reason I got clogged ducts is because my baby would sleep for longer than my breast needed sometimes and instead of relieving the pressure with the breast pump, I just waited for my baby to wake up. So don’t learn that lesson the hard way!
Here are a few important breast pump tips for new moms:
1. If your electric breast pump does not come with a customized let down function then you may need to start out at a slower pace but with a higher suction in order to mimic a babies pattern when they begin to suckle.
2. If you struggle with the amount of milk you produce whilst pumping then try to have your baby near by when you pump. If this isn’t possible then try to have something that smells like them, or reminds you of them as this will stimulate milk production.
3. Don’t feel bad if you can’t express as much milk as your baby gets in a normal feed. This is completely normal and many mothers will need 2-3 pumping sessions just to supply enough milk for 1 feed for baby.
4. Always ensure that you read the manufacturers instructions for both use and cleaning. The milk produced will be fed to your baby so it’s extremely important that you’re doing everything you can to ensure that milk is safe, and good for baby.
Moving On From Breastfeeding: The Unspoken Hurdles
Amidst the whirlwind of new motherhood and the initial challenges of breastfeeding, there’s one aspect that often goes unspoken: the emotional and practical hurdles of deciding when and how to stop breastfeeding.
The guilt: It’s not uncommon to feel a pang of guilt or second-guess your decision. Society, well-meaning friends, or even your own expectations can weigh heavily on you. Remember, every mother’s journey is unique, and only you know what’s best for you and your baby.
The unexpected emotional rollercoaster: While the physical act of breastfeeding might cease, the emotional bond remains. The sudden shift can bring about unexpected feelings of loss, nostalgia, or even relief, and it’s essential to acknowledge and process these emotions.
Practical challenges: Just as you had to learn the ropes of breastfeeding, transitioning away comes with its own set of challenges. From managing engorgement to introducing alternative feeding methods, it’s another learning curve that many don’t anticipate.
If you’re navigating these uncharted waters and wondering how to stop breastfeeding while managing these unexpected challenges, our in-depth guide can offer some clarity and support.
Conclusion
There are lots of products that can help make breastfeeding easier. I hope you found these breastfeeding tips helpful. Breastfeeding problems sound pretty scary but if you know what to watch for, you can probably avoid most of these issues. Do you have breastfeeding tips or stories of your own to share? I’d love to hear them in the comments below.
You may also find this breastfeeding book helpful to have on hand as resource: (my affiliate Amazon link)
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