If you are driving down to shop and you have to stop at a red signal, does it mean your journey has come to an abrupt halt? No! Similarly if you are having problems with breastfeeding, it’s not the end of motherhood.. every problem can be solved.
We are going to tell you how. To begin with start with a positive mind, and read on.
Sore Nipples
Nipple tenderness is normal for many women in the first week of breastfeeding. But it usually does not last for more than a few days. You can try:
- To comfort your baby and reduce his desire to chew your breast, by providing something cold and wet for a few minutes before breast-feeding. If he starts feeding after chewing the cold thing, he will not bite your breast
- A wet washcloth from the refrigerator will help too. The cold will help numb painful gums and may give relief to your baby.
Plugged Duct
A milk duct becomes blocked by a mass of thickened milk or cells. This may give rise to tenderness in breast, swelling or a small, hard lump. You can try:
- Nursing on the tender side first when the baby is hungriest and sucks strongly. This will ensure the emptying of one breast completely.
- Massage the breast with the lump, expressing extra milk and trying to unplug the duct.
- Apply moist heat between nursing sessions and most importantly be persistent!!
Low Milk Supply
This is one of the most common concerns. You can try:
- Feeding your baby on demand, which means whenever he or she wants to eat or cries in hunger.
- Newborns need to breast-feed at least 10 to 12 times in a day.
- Wake the baby if it has been more than 2 hours since the last feeding. Remember, more frequent feedings will increase your milk supply, usually within 2 to 4 days.
Nursing strike
A baby who refuses to breastfeed, and is not old enough to be weaned, is said to be on a “nursing strike.” A nursing strike is your baby’s way of showing discomfort and it usually lasts between two and five days. You can try:
- Nursing when your baby is asleep or very sleepy. Many babies who refuse to nurse when they’re awake will breastfeed when they’re sleepy.
- Try nursing in motion. Some babies are more likely to nurse when you rock or walk them than when you’re sitting or standing. They prefer the motion.
- Give your baby lots of contact with your skin.
Breast engorgement or fullness
Breast engorgement is caused when there is a congestion of the blood vessels in the breast. That’s when the breasts become swollen, hard, and painful. The nipples cannot protrude to allow the baby to latch on correctly, and nursing is difficult. You can try:
- Nursing often (eight times or more in a day) and for at least 15 minutes for each feeding to prevent engorgement.
- To relieve breast engorgement, express milk manually or with a pump. Electric breast pumps work best.
- You can also try taking warm showers and using cold compresses to help relieve the discomfort.
Happy feeding! And remember your attitude counts!
» Filed Under Chest Feeding
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