How to Solve 7 Common Breastfeeding Issues

Editor’s note: This post is sponsored by 1 Natural Way, focused on seven common breastfeeding issues. 

Breastfeeding is a completely natural process between a mother and her baby, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. From bacterial infections to painful, hard breasts, a breastfeeding mother can face many challenges.

Fortunately, for every breastfeeding issue a mother faces, there’s a solution. Whether you found yourself here because you’re struggling to breastfeed or are trying to learn as much as you can before giving birth to your baby, know this: There’s a light at the end of every tunnel.

Doctors and trained professionals will help you get through the challenges, as will the many moms who’ve faced similar struggles.

Here are a few nuggets of information to get you started:

1. Undersupply

If you’re told by your doctor that your baby isn’t gaining weight fast enough, then you may have low milk supply. It means your body isn’t producing enough milk for your baby.

Solving this problem is a simple case of supply and demand. The more “demand” placed on milk ducts, the more “supply” the body creates. More frequent feeding or pumping usually sends a signal to your body that it needs to produce more milk.

First, it’s recommended that you don’t impose a feeding schedule on your baby. Feeding on-demand (whenever the baby is hungry) is best for the baby and establishing an adequate milk supply.

You may need to regularly pump several times a day (after baby eats) to tell your body it needs to produce more. You can always offer pumped milk in a bottle or freeze it in milk storage bags for later use. Additionally, if you feed your baby from a bottle (either formula or expressed milk), you’ll need to pump for every bottle given—otherwise your body will think the milk left in the breast is not needed, which in turn, will produce even less.

Some moms find success with power pumping. This means that the mom allows the baby to breastfeed for as much and as long as the baby wants. Then, the mom will pump after every feeding or as many feedings as possible. Although this is time consuming, it can be effective when done for two to three days.

2. Oversupply

While having “too much milk” may not seem like a problem, it can be a real issue. Engorgement happens when the breasts become so full of milk that it causes pain. The first four to six weeks after birth is when the body adjusts to the needs of the baby, so engorgement is common. During this crucial time, don’t try to lessen your milk supply.

After the first initial weeks, if engorgement is still an issue, you can try “block feeding” to reduce your milk supply.

Here’s a crash course in block feeding:

• Nurse on one side only for each breastfeeding session (only if baby is gaining weight adequately)
• Hand express milk on the side that has not been used until you are more comfortable, then use a cold compress to discourage milk production.
• Try to hand express less each time.
• Apply cold compresses (for about 30 minutes) to breasts in between feedings.

Be cautious when using block feeding because it can greatly reduce milk supply. Those who continue to have oversupply issues even after trying block feeding should contact a lactation consultant.

3. Painful Latching/Cracked Nipples

It’s normal to have nipple pain during the first two weeks of breastfeeding. If pain persists after two weeks and occurs longer than a minute after breastfeeding begins, it’s time to reach out to a lactation consultant to check the baby’s latch.

A correct latch is slightly asymmetrical so the baby’s mouth is around the entire nipple. The baby should have slightly more of the lower areola in its mouth than the upper. To reposition the baby, place your finger in the baby’s mouth and pull off the breast before trying again.

Here’s how to cope with painful or cracked nipples:

• Soothe and treat damaged nipples with natural, oil-based nipple cream (not lanolin)
• Nurse initially on the least damaged nipple (babies tend to be more gentle to the second breast)
• If necessary, pump or hand express from the breast with the damaged nipple and feed your baby with a bottle.
• Rinse with salt water after breastfeeding and keep nipples as dry as possible in between feedings.

4. Thrush

When a baby gets a yeast infection in the mouth, this is called thrush. A baby can pass thrush on to the mother, which causes sore and itchy nipples, but can also cause a rash. Ah, the joys of motherhood.

A doctor will prescribe an antifungal medication to treat both the mother’s nipples and the baby’s mouth.

5. Sleepy Baby

You’ve probably heard, “never wake a sleeping baby!” but when breastfeeding, that saying gets pushed aside. A sleepy baby can cause many problems to a nursing mom—like extremely long nursing sessions, low weight gain in baby, engorgement because breasts are not emptied, and eventually, low supply.

It’s important that the baby is sufficiently awake when breastfeeding in order to receive enough nutrients to grow healthy and strong.

To help keep a sleepy baby awake during feedings try to:

• Undress the baby before nursing
• Play with the baby before feedings
• Tickle the baby’s feet during feeding or apply ice to the baby’s heels if falling asleep
• Switch sides often
• Start nursing on the fullest breast

6. Clogged or Plugged Ducts

If milk ducts do not completely empty during breastfeeding, a mother may experience clogged ducts, which is usually noticeable as a hard lump on the nipples that’s painful to the touch. Fever and aches mean the clogged duct has turned into an infection (mastitis), and it’s time to call the doctor as soon as possible.

Two things that can cause a clogged duct are stress and a restrictive nursing bra. When dealing with a clogged duct, make sure nursing bras aren’t too tight and try to get as much rest as possible. Apply warm compresses and nurse (or pump) as often as possible. A clogged duct cannot hurt the baby, so continue to breastfeed on demand.

7. Mastitis

Clogged ducts, engorged breasts, and cracked nipples can cause mastitis, which is a bacterial infection in the breasts. Mastitis often causes fever and painful breasts (flu-like symptoms) and can only be successfully treated with an antibiotic. Consult a doctor at the first sign of mastitis due to the risk of infection.

To reduce symptoms, use warm compresses and empty breasts as much as possible. This usually means pumping in addition to allowing baby to nurse often. Most doctors recommend continuing to breastfeed through mastitis.

If all else fails, try an eConsult

If you’ve tried the tips and talked to your friends and are still having difficulty, it may be time to reach out to a professional. 1 Natural Way offers free lactation consultation video chats to military families. The eConsults are 25-minute sessions during which you’ll be able to address specific needs or concerns—whether it’s assistance with increasing milk production, establishing successful night breastfeeding, or addressing difficulties with latching. Click here to learn more about this new service.