Common Breastfeeding Problems

Breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed your baby and also the best thing you can do for him. Baby will build up important immunities from feeding from your breast.

Another plus is that it is so much more convenient. Better to just take baby out of his cot in the middle of the night and be able to feed him immediately. Formula feeding means you have to heat up a bottle, be sure its the right temperature, (mother nature automatically ensures that breast milk is the perfect blood temperature!) whilst you are doing this he could well be screaming the house down. This will not make for a relaxing middle of the night experience.

Breastfeeding is for the most part, trouble free, but you should be aware of some common issues that could arise.

Thrush – not harmful and very common. Its an infection that is transmitted to the breast via the babies mouth. The cause is an overgrowth of yeast – although this is a normal part of the digestive systmem, too much will cause the Thrush infection.

Symptoms of thrush are, breast or nipple pain. Also nipples can be very sensitive, itchy or even become cracked. As it develops in the baby’s mouth, it is passed back and forth so you need to seek advice as soon as you see the symptoms.

Mastitis – Bacteria is present in the milk ducts, causing the breast to become hard, red and inflamed. Antibiotics will cure mastitis and your GP will ensure they prescribe an antibiotic that will not affect the baby so you can still breastfeed.

Very Fast Milk Flow – Does your baby start to splutter and cough as soon as he starts to feed? This could be down to your milk flowing too fast. This is distressing for both mother and baby. A way to deal with this is to express some milk before each breast before feeding, this could slow down the milk flow. Trying to hold baby in a different position may also make it easier for him to take the milk.

Baby Does Not Seem To Like the Milk – Acidic or spicy foods can really change the taste of your milk and give baby quite a shock. Although the milk taste will vary slightly as does your diet, you really need to steer clear or highly spiced foods like curry or chilli. Also drink water and plain drinks rather than orange or lemon juice.

Not knowing How Much Milk Taken – With formula milk you can measure out a certain amount and know how much your baby has drunk. Not possible when breast feeding. However, if you baby feeds well, is growing, and is happy and contented then do not worry about this. Just enjoy the time you spend breastfeeding as its the ideal bonding time for you and your little one.

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