Top 5 Breastfeeding Problems and How to Navigate Them

Did you know that breastfeeding, while a natural and beautiful experience, can come with its fair share of challenges? Nearly 9 years on and I still vividly remember the trials and tribulations that came with this incredible journey with my first baby – from excruciatingly painful cracked nipples to chronic low milk supply. There are common hurdles many new mums face. But don’t worry! In this post, I’ll cover the top 5 breastfeeding problems – latch difficulties, engorgement, sore nipples, low milk supply and mastitis, and offer practical tips to help you avoid or overcome them so you can get closer to a smoother and more enjoyable breastfeeding journey.

This post is intended to equip you as a pregnant or new mum, with insights and solutions to the most common breastfeeding problems, empowering you to navigate these challenges with confidence and ease.

1. Latch Difficulties: The Foundation of Feeding

A poor latch not only brings painful damaged nipples, but also hampers your baby’s ability to get enough milk, potentially causing a low milk supply and baby not to gain enough weight. When your little one struggles to latch correctly, it can result in nipple pain and hinder proper milk transfer, leading to frustration and insufficient feeding for your baby. Poor latch is often caused by how baby’s positioned at the breast. Remember, getting help from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can be extremely helpful if you’re having a hard time helping baby get a proper latch.

Tip: Experiment with different breastfeeding positions, like the “laid-back” or “football hold,” to find what works best for you and your baby. These positions can help you get a more comfortable and effective latch when baby’s having a hard time.

2. Engorgement: When Your Breasts Feel Like Balloons

Engorgement is when your breasts get overfull, making them feel heavy, swollen, uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. It often happens when your milk comes in, causing tenderness and making it hard for your baby to latch properly.

Tip: Try reverse pressure softening for a few minutes before a feed to soften the areola tissue around your nipple and make latching easier for your baby. Hand expressing for a few minutes can also help soften the breast for a better latch.

3. Sore Nipples: Navigating the Discomfort

Sore nipples are super common among breastfeeding mums but that doesn’t make it normal! Breastfeeding shouldn’t be painful. If it is, it’s a sign that something’s not right. Painful nipples can be caused a few different things, including incorrect latch, inflammation, and infection.

Tip: Apply expressed breastmilk to damaged nipples to promote healing. Breastmilk contains antibodies, vitamins, and nutrients that aid in fighting infection and promoting tissue repair. The antimicrobial properties present in breastmilk can help prevent bacterial growth on the nipples, reducing the risk of infection and soothing discomfort.

4. Low Milk Supply: Addressing Concerns

Feeling like you’re not producing enough milk can be distressing. Several factors contribute to low milk supply, but most often it’s caused by the breasts not being emptied enough.

Tip: To boost supply, empty your breasts more often – that could look like breastfeeding baby more often, or pumping after feeds.

5. Mastitis: Handling Inflammation and Infection

Mastitis, an inflammation of the breast tissue sometimes accompanied by infection, can make you feel really sick, really fast with flu-like symptoms as well as breast pain and redness. It’s crucial to treat mastitis quickly.

Tip: Anti-inflammatory techniques help to reduce the inflammation. Try cold packs to the breasts while continuing to breastfeed your baby according to their need (on demand).

Enhance Your Breastfeeding Path 

Alright, mumma, armed with these breastfeeding insights, you’re one step closer to overcoming the hurdles of your breastfeeding journey! Remember, you’re not alone in this adventure. Now, if you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to get breastfeeding going more smoothly with someone to hold your hand along the way so you can bid farewell to painful nipples and worries about low milk supply, my new course, “Breastfeeding Basics: From Prep To Pro”, is your golden ticket.

This course isn’t just your run-of-the-mill guide; it’s a treasure trove of expert tips and strategies intended to transform your breastfeeding experience, helping go from feeling unsure, full of doubt and thinking “I’ll breastfeeding if I can”, to feeling informed, confident, and able to set you and baby up for a smooth and happy breastfeeding journey. Imagine feeling equipped, and ready to handle any challenge that comes your way!

But here’s the deal: doors to this transformative course close on 7/12/23, so don’t miss out! Enrol now and join a community of pregnant and breastfeeding mums in learning the secrets to get breastfeeding off to a great start. Embrace this opportunity to set yourself and your baby up for a smooth, joyful, and fulfilling breastfeeding experience. Let’s make this journey a breeze together!