The most common problems with breastfeeding include cracked nipples, hard milk and swollen and hard breasts, which usually appear in the first few days after giving birth or after a long time of breastfeeding the baby.
Normally, these breastfeeding problems cause pain and discomfort for the mother, however, there are simple techniques, such as the baby latching on to the breast or the woman taking care of her breasts, for example, that help to avoid these situations and that can be easily resolved with the help of a nurse.
Here’s how to resolve each of the following issues:
1. Cracked nipple
When the nipple of the breast becomes cracked, the woman has a crack and may experience pain and blood in the breast. This problem arises due to the wrong position of the baby when breastfeeding or dryness of the nipple and is normally common in the first weeks after birth.
How to solve: This common breast problem during breastfeeding can be resolved if the woman expresses and spreads a drop of milk on the nipple after each feeding. If the pain is very severe, the mother should express the milk manually or with a pump and give it to the baby with a cup or spoon until the nipple improves or completely heals.
There are also breastfeeding nipples that reduce the pain caused by the baby’s sucking or even ointments with lanolin in the composition that help to heal the nipple. Furthermore, helping the baby latch correctly while breastfeeding is essential. Know the correct position for breastfeeding.
2. Stoned milk
Stuck milk occurs when breast milk does not come out, because the breast duct is blocked and the woman feels a lump in the breast, as if it were a lump, with red skin in that area and a lot of pain.
How to solve: It is important for the mother to wear loose clothing and a bra that supports her breasts well without compressing the breast to prevent the ducts from clogging. In addition, you should massage your breasts to remove milk and prevent mastitis. See how to massage hard breasts.
3. Breast swelling and hardening
The swelling and hardening of the breast is called breast engorgement and occurs when there is a high production of milk, which may appear around the 2nd day after birth. In these cases, the woman has a fever and the breast becomes red, the skin shiny and tight and the breast becomes so hard and swollen that breastfeeding becomes very painful.
How to solve: To resolve breast engorgement, it is important to breastfeed whenever the baby wants to help empty the breast. Furthermore, after breastfeeding, cold water should be applied to the breasts, with a compress or in the bath, this helps to reduce swelling and pain.
When a woman does not resolve breast engorgement, mastitis can occur, which is a breast infection that causes symptoms such as high fever and malaise, similar to the flu. In this case, it is necessary to take an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor. Learn more about mastitis.
4. Inverted or flat beak
Having an inverted or flat nipple is not exactly a problem as the baby needs to grasp the areola and not the nipple, so even if a woman has an inverted or very small nipple she will be able to breastfeed.
How to solve: For mothers with flat or inverted nipples to breastfeed successfully, it is essential to stimulate the nipple before feedings. Therefore, stimulating the nipple to make it more visible can be done with a breast pump, and should be done for 30 to 60 seconds before breastfeeding or using an adapted syringe.
If these techniques are not possible, you can use artificial nipples that are applied to the breast and help breastfeed. See more tips for breastfeeding with inverted nipples.
5. Low milk production
Producing little milk should not be seen as a problem, as it does not jeopardize the health of the woman or the baby, and in these cases, the pediatrician recommends the use of artificial milk.
How to solve: To increase milk production, you should let your baby breastfeed whenever he wants and for as long as he wants, offering both breasts at each feeding. The mother should also increase her consumption of foods rich in water, such as tomatoes or watermelon, for example, and drink 3 liters of water a day or tea. Find out which teas are least recommended during breastfeeding.
6. Lots of milk production
When there is a high production of milk, there is a greater risk of developing fissures, breast engorgement and mastitis. In these cases, due to excess milk, breastfeeding becomes more difficult for the child, but it will not cause any harm to health.
How to solve: You should try to remove excess milk with a pump and store it in the refrigerator, so that it can be given to the baby later. It is also important to always use a silicone nipple protector to avoid excess moisture. See how to preserve milk.
Tips to avoid common breastfeeding problems
To avoid some common breastfeeding problems, such as breast engorgement, mastitis and cracked nipples, it is essential to take some breast care every day, such as:
- Wash your nipples only once a day with warm water, avoiding using soap;
- Allow the baby to let go of the breast spontaneously or, if necessary, place a finger gently in the baby’s mouth to stop the suction and never pull the baby’s mouth from the breast;
- Apply a drop of milk to the nipple and areolaafter each feeding and after bathing, as it facilitates healing;
- Exposing nipples to airwhenever possible, between feedings;
- Prevent nipples from becoming moistand you should opt for the use of silicone nipple protectors.
These measures must be adopted during the period in which the woman is breastfeeding and must be followed daily to avoid complications.
