BREASTFEEDING

challenges

BREASTFEEDING

challenges

Top 5 Breastfeeding Challenges New Mothers’ Face and Their Solutions

Motherhood is filled with many moments that are unique and precious. One such is when the mother nourishes her baby, it is a beautiful moment that creates a bond of affection and unconditional love between them. However, the motherhood journey is not smooth for new mothers, and there are several challenges they often have to come across. While some mother has a great breastfeeding journey, other face several challenges in this phase, which can discourage them. At such points in life, they need a lot of support and guidance. To help new mothers to overcome common breastfeeding challenges, here in this blog we have mentioned some of the common breastfeeding challenges, and solutions suggested by leading.

Breastfeeding specialists

So, now let’s take a look at the breastfeeding challenges and solutions.

Challenges and Solutions for New Mothers

During the breastfeeding phase, you may run into several problems. Here are some of the common breastfeeding challenges that many new mothers face and solutions to overcome them. Take a look.

Engorgement or swelling problem

Engorgement or swelling commonly occurs when new mothers start lactating. During this condition, the breasts can hurt as they become engorged. Although this condition goes away after a few days, it can be very painful for mothers, because it can result in infection or plugged duct. Here are some ways in which new mothers can get relief from this problem.

Solutions

Apply moist heat compress to the breast area, and then massage the area just before feeding time that is every 2-3 hours
After every feeding session, applying ice in the area for 20 minutes can heal the inflammation and help to get relief from the discomfort.

Make sure to avoid applying ice or moist heat to the nipple area.

Inadequate milk supply

Many new mothers stay concerned about inadequate milk supply. So, if you are facing this issue then know that you are not alone. Experts say the problem of insufficient milk production happens rarely, it is due to many other reasons the supply is impacted. A mother’s body generally produces the amount of milk that the baby exactly needs.

Some reasons for inadequate milk supply

  • Not feeding baby frequently
  • Ineffective latch
  • Supplementing with formula and not pumping
  • Due to some medications
  • Pregnancy triggered high blood pressure
  • Premature birth of baby

Solutions to increase the milk supply

Breastfeeding must be done frequently, at least you should breastfeed your baby every 2 to 3 hours. When you have just given birth to your baby, you will need to feed your baby 12 times every day. Don’t ignore feeding/pumping, whenever your baby needs food feed them.

Avoid feeding your baby using baby bottles. Also, don’t let your baby use pacifiers in the early weeks.

If you are taking some medications, then make sure to consult with your doctor, and convey to them your concerns.

Always make sure to take care of yourself. Know that if you don’t eat well, and rest well it can impact your body adversely and may result in less milk production and supply. Also, avoid smoking, and drinking, and keep yourself hydrated.

Know that if you are still facing the problem of inadequate milk supply, then it is best to consult a lactation consultant. So, if you are searching for a lactation consultation near me, always make the effort to contact the best specialist in this field.

Fungal infection

Another problem that new mothers can face while breastfeeding is a fungal infection called Mastitis. This condition occurs from a damaged nipple. Such a condition can make the breast hard, read and painful. Later the new mother can develop flu-like symptoms such as fever, red streaks etc.

However, according to the experts, mothers can still breastfeed their babies in this condition after consulting with their breastfeeding consultants, and getting an oral antibiotic. With the help of breastfeeding, the infection can clear up, and the clogged duct can get removed.

Thrush is another type of fungal infection that is caused by yeast overgrowth. This condition can trigger achy breasts, sore nipples, and even white spots inside the baby’s cheeks, gums or tongue.

So, if you are facing such problems, then make sure to get in touch with your breastfeeding specialists to understand the problem.

Baby experiencing gassy problem after feeding

After feeding your baby if you find that he/she is having gassy issues, then there are high chances that your baby is gulping air when breastfeeding. And, this occurs due to poor latching problems. It is natural for babies to swallow air during breastfeeding, however, the best way to ensure that they are not swallowing a lot of gas during feeding time is to get a good latch.

Solutions

  • At the end of the feeding session burp your baby
  • Never overfeed your baby
  • Make sure you are eating healthy
  • Also, learn the effective way of latching your baby

Sensitive and sore problems

Generally, when new mothers start breastfeeding babies, in the initial period they can have a problem with sensitive nipples. This may stay till the baby gets well-adjusted to feeding. Otherwise, breastfeeding should not be a painful experience.

Tips to reduce the pain

  • Always ensure that your baby is latched properly
  • You can try and change positions
  • If the pain remains, make sure to consult a good breastfeeding specialist

Conclusion

New mothers can come across several other breastfeeding challenges, and for all challenges, it is best to consult a good breastfeeding specialist. One thing as a new mother you should always keep in mind is that a lot of opinions and suggestions will come your way, however, pay heed to only what your breastfeeding specialist will tell you and what you think is best for you. In case you are searching for a well-qualified breastfeeding specialist near me, then make sure to get in touch with Wright Maternity.  I will provide you with all the guidance required, and help you with techniques that can make your breastfeeding experience smooth and stress-free. Want to contact me?

Testimonials

We knew Kirsty very well as she had been the Nanny to my cousin’s three youngest children for many years. As a single parent with a demanding career in the banking industry, I knew Kirsty was the perfect nanny for Kelly! Kirsty is easy-going with a sunny disposition and warm, kind, compassionate nature; she was a great comfort to us all when my mum was diagnosed and became terminally ill. Kirsty was a true rock and was always willing to go that extra mile ~ far beyond her remit as Kelly’s nanny ~ and assist with whatever needed doing Kirsty was always punctual, very flexible and accommodating if I had to work late or was delayed in peak hour traffic and she never missed work due to illness or personal issues!

We were both very grateful to Kirsty and I would highly recommend her as a Maternity Nurse and/or Nanny to any loving family, & wish her every success in her new endeavours abroad.

Wendy Jeursen

Kirsty was a life saver! She stepped in with such confidence and surety which allowed me to breathe and know that I was doing everything possible for my daughter to thrive and made me believe that I could do this on my own. When I was 3 months pregnant, we had contracted Kirsty for 8 weeks to ease us into our new parenting roles but my husband I separated when I was 5 months pregnant (and divorced while I was still pregnant) and consequently Kirsty kindly obliged to prolong her contract and stay with me for the first 6 months of my daughter’s life which was a god send. Not only as a new mother but also because I had to return to my demanding career.

After her 6-month contract, I have subsequently asked her to come to my aide multiple times, firstly with sleep training Chante, and then stepping in to proxy parent my daughter when I was required to travel out of time for work.  I highly recommend Kirsty for any position she is needed for as I do not know what our lives would’ve been like without her there with me every step of the way.

Anelle MacKinley

My partner and I employed Kirsty as our Maternity Nurse on a 24/6 basis (7 nights/6 days) for six months when our son was born by surrogate in Austen, Texas. Kirsty joined us ten days prior to Aiden’s birth to help set up his nursery & guide us on what to buy for our newborn. Kirsty had Aiden sleeping through the night from approx. 14 weeks of age, and introduced solid foods when Aiden was ready; Kirsty prepared everything from scratch & often prepared meals for us too. Aiden has continued to grow into a happy, calm toddler – we put this down to Kirsty’s influence in his early life – for this we are very grateful!

Bruce Bonnet

Kirsty was able to come in at a moment’s notice when our baby was born six weeks early as the Maternity Nurse we had booked was still contracted at her previous baby. Kirsty was an absolute saviour (referred to us by a family friend whom she had worked for over the years), she joined us at The Kensignton Wing of Chelsea & Westminister Hospital in where she & I roomed in together so she could assist me with hand-expressing colostrum & pumping breastmilk as baby was initially tube-fed in NICU. She encouraged skin-to-skin whilst Leo was still in an incubator & had him taking little feeds directly from the breast within a week at which time he joined us in the room until we were discharged on day 13.

Kirsty is structured but gentle, great at time-management & organised, and the nursery was always neat & tidy. She is very accommodating and flexible – always happy to change her daily break at the last minute if necessary & had no qualms to include the kids when knocking together a quick meal for herself when babysitting when we were out for dinner.

We all loved having Kirsty in our home and the older children talk about her fondly. We have already referred her to a couple of our friends for Sleep Training. We highly recommend her as she would be an asset to any family!

Samantha Bennett

Kirsty Wright was our Maternity Nurse on two occasions. The main reason we hired Kirsty with Jamie, was mainly to assist with nights & to muck in during the day if the older siblings needed help. Kirsty was great she was always willing to get involved with our older children, whether to make them a snack after school, or breakfast on the weekends. She quickly got Jamie into a good routine, and he was doing really well by the time Kirsty left.

Our twins were born unexpectedly whilst we were visiting family in London, and thankfully Kirsty was available to help out when our maternity nurse had to leave to another contract. Both boys were sleeping well overnight by the time Kirsty left. She is easy-going, light-hearted and the children enjoyed her humour & pranks. She is a good cook and often volunteered to prepare healthy meals for all the family.

We all love Kirsty’s sunny personality, and she is a very professional calm & efficient maternity nurse who could slot into any family situation – we highly recommend her!

Caroline Corman