Am I Doing this Right? Troubleshooting Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a journey and you may run into challenges. Breastfeeding troubles that may arise are pain, cracked or bleeding nipples, clogged ducts, mastitis, a teething baby, and even nursing strikes. Breastfeeding troubles can be frustrating and even discouraging at times, but you are not alone. YUP! is here to help!

You may have heard conflicting things about breastfeeding, but it is important to note that everyone’s experience is different. At some points in your journey breastfeeding may be uncomfortable, but it should not always cause pain. Some common issues with breastfeeding, and how to manage them, are described below.  
Remember, if you experience any of these issues you should go to a lactation consultant or your healthcare provider right away.  Only they can diagnose your condition and help you with getting back on track with breastfeeding.

Pain can be a result of cracked or bleeding nipples. This can happen as your body adjusts to breastfeeding as well as a result of a shallow latch. A shallow latch is when the baby sucks directly on the nipple instead of further up onto the areola, which is the dark circle around the nipple. When your baby sucks directly on the nipple you may experience pain and even bleeding nipples. In order to adjust your baby’s latch you can reposition your baby and rewatch making sure that you introduce more of the breast into the baby’s mouth. If you are experiencing cracked or bleeding nipples, nipple shields and lubricating creams can help. Check with your healthcare provider or local WIC office for access to free or low cost supplies.
 

Engorged breasts often occur when the breasts are too full. If you have engorged breasts, one or more may be swollen, tight, or larger than normal. In order to alleviate this it is important to remove the milk frequently in order to reduce fullness and maintain your milk supply.  You can do this by feeding the baby or by pumping.  In many cases unresolved engorged breasts can lead to clogged ducts (see below). 
 

A clogged duct is a block in the milk flow in a portion of the breast, either at the nipple or further back in the ductal system. This can be painful and lead to more serious issues, so it is important to address clogged ducts as soon as possible. One way to prevent clogged ducts is making sure to remove the milk frequently either by direct feeding, pumping, or squeezing milk out with your hands (hand expressing). If you notice that a clogged duct has formed, it is helpful to apply a warm towel to the breast and gently massage the area while feeding to help push the milk out. In the event that a clogged duct is not released, mastitis may occur (see below). 

Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection. This means that trapped milk has led to an infection and this will require medical treatment. Some common signs and symptoms of mastitis are breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness, fever and chills. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is important to consult your healthcare provider and begin treatment immediately to prevent further complications.
 

A nursing strike is when your baby suddenly refuses to breastfeed. This can occur for many reasons, however some of the most common reasons are teething, illness, a growth spurt, tummy ache, and self-weaning. In any circumstance, staying consistent and continuing to offer the breast is essential. If your baby is sick or teething, giving them relief before feeding is helpful. For pain and discomfort, try feeding in a calm and quiet environment, during a warm bath, remaining skin to skin with your baby, and remembering that babies can sense our feelings. Also, don’t get discouraged if your baby is refusing the breast. Breastfeeding requires a lot of work on the baby’s part, so this extra sucking may be painful to the baby, but this will pass. 

While many breastfeeding troubles are associated with pain or discomfort, some can occur as a result of your baby growing and changing. An example of this is teething. Teething can cause babies to be more irritable and pull away while feeding, refuse to breastfeed, and even bite (ouch!). If your baby is showing signs of discomfort during breastfeeding, it can be helpful to treat your baby’s pain and offer the breast once they are calm and comfortable. Finally, if your baby is biting, you can unlatch and try to re-latch your baby. Taking a break and coming back can help you both calm down and reset.

If you have these or any other troubles while trying to breastfeed, connect with your healthcare provider, local WIC, or breastfeeding specialist for support and know that you are not alone!  Some helpful resources are listed below.