5 Common Breastfeeding Challenges and Practical Ways to Overcome Them for New Moms

You probably have heard someone say, ‘Once the baby comes, your maternal instincts will instantly kick in.’ Well, what they mean is that you are expected to automatically know what to do with the newborn baby, even if it’s your first. But is that always the case? Hardly. Whether you’re a new mom or a fifth-time mother, breastfeeding has a way of reminding you that you don’t have everything figured out.

We cannot overemphasize the benefits of breastfeeding, especially in the first few months of a baby’s life. That’s why we need to address a few common breastfeeding challenges to make the experience less dramatic and more fulfilling. Here are 5 breastfeeding problems and how to solve them:

Low Milk or No Milk

‘Keep the baby on the breast, the milk will come.’ I hated hearing those words from the nurse because they did not make any sense at the time. My son would suckle for hours only to get a few drops of milk. To say I was frustrated is an understatement. At some point, he was given baby formula, which allowed me to catch a break, and that helped.

Eventually, the milk came, and I exclusively breastfed my son for six months, despite a few challenges here and there. So, if you just had a baby and you’re struggling to produce enough milk, hang in there. Low milk supply is an issue that most women deal with from the beginning to the end of their exclusive breastfeeding journey, but there’s help.

What to do:

• Feed the baby frequently and ensure the baby is well latched. Also, try pumping the milk when the baby is not on the breast to stimulate milk production and flow. 

• Relax, everything will be fine. Studies show that maternal distress is an enemy of progress for breastfeeding mothers. 

• Eat a balanced diet and hydrate well. 

• In extreme cases, supplement the little breast milk you’re getting with formula to keep the baby hydrated as you work on your milk supply. Newborn dehydration is fatal.

   

• If you can, engage a lactation consultant and let them walk the journey with you.

Poor Latching and Pain

Most babies can suckle well immediately after birth unless they have health or development issues. What they have to learn is how to latch properly on the breast for maximum and pain-free milk stimulation. Proper latching means having both your nipple and the dark circle around your nipple in the baby’s mouth as they suckle.

Poor latching causes the baby to suck in air, understimulate the breast, and also hurt the mother while at it. One thing I struggled with as a first-time mom was lifting my baby to the level where he could latch properly. It’s a shame I didn’t know about nursing pillows. I had to use regular pillows and baby blankets for support, and they worked too.

Latching tips:

• Use a nursing pillow, a regular pillow, or even a blanket to elevate the baby to breast level, then turn them towards you. 

• Carefully ensure that your nipple and areola (pigmented part around the nipple) are inside the baby’s mouth before suckling begins. 

• Maintain a comfortable position for you and the baby to avoid interruptions that lead to improper latching.

   

• If the baby gets off the breast or you’re hurting, adjust and latch again. Practice proper latching until you and the baby get it right.

Flat or Inverted Nipples

I came to know way later in my motherhood journey that having popped-out nipples isn’t obvious. Some women have flat or inverted nipples that make it more challenging to breastfeed. Having flat or inverted nipples is one of the most underrated yet common breastfeeding challenges that many women struggle with.

And why is it a problem anyway? You wonder. For a baby to properly latch, they need to have the whole nipple and areola in their mouth. So, if the nipple isn’t sticking outwards, it becomes harder for the baby to get a firm grip. If your nipples retract inwards or are flatter than regular ones, below are some helpful tips:

What to do:

• Massage the nipple in a circular motion while gently pulling it outward before every feed to stimulate it. 

• Help the baby latch more on the areola tissue rather than focusing on the nipple. 

• Breastfeed frequently to help draw the nipples out. 

• Seek guidance from a lactation nurse on how to use a nipple shield to help with latching.

Cracked Nipples

Cracked nipples will make you adore your bundle of joy while at the same time abhorring their need to feed. Some mothers claim the pain is worse than labor pains, and while I didn’t experience this myself, I have watched others go through it. Sometimes it got so bad that the nipples were bleeding.

However, as much as cracked nipples are common, they can be avoided by ensuring that the baby is well latched right from birth. But if you’re already in the thick of things, don’t worry. I have a few hacks to help you navigate the situation like the super mom that you are.

Nipple healing tips:

Prevention first; If your baby isn’t born yet, or you just had a newborn, consistent proper latching will save you unnecessary pain.

Help the baby latch well, even when your nipples are hurting. Some damage may have already been done, but changing things up will definitely make the situation better.

Stay braless when you can, or wear breathable cotton bras to ensure proper air circulation on the nipples.

If the issue persists, seek medical help.

Breast Engorgement

Breast engorgement may happen in the early days of breastfeeding, before your body learns how to balance the milk demand and supply. It’s mostly an issue of producing more milk than the little one can handle, so the extra milk, excess blood, and lymph fluid fill the breast tissue.

Engorgement is painful and only gets worse if not treated. The affected breast remains hard and puffed so much that the baby cannot latch properly. The good news is that, just like other breastfeeding challenges, this one too can be overcome.

What to do:

• Use cold presses to tone down the swelling and reduce the discomfort. 

• Using a wet and warm piece of cloth, gently press on the breast to encourage the free flow of milk as you breastfeed. 

• Feed the baby on demand and do not over-pump. Excessive pumping only worsens the situation by increasing milk supply, and the cycle repeats. 

• You could take some prescription painkillers and seek medical help if the issue persists.

   

Breastfeeding is probably one of the most taxing parts of motherhood, especially if you are determined to exclusively breastfeed. It’s mostly challenging because babies are different, and so are their moms.

Some babies feed more than others, some stay on the breast for longer, while others get full faster. Some women produce little or just enough milk, while others struggle with oversupply. Whatever category you and your baby belong to, knowing what works early enough will smooth out the learning curve and make your breastfeeding journey fun and fulfilling.

 SHE Centre is here to help you.

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Written by: Elizabeth Kanini