Common Early Breastfeeding Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Breastfeeding is one of the many joys of motherhood. No one else creates a bond as strong as the one you forge during those precious moments. 

Your breasts are incredible parts of your anatomy, responding in real time to your baby’s ever-changing needs and providing a perfectly formulated nutritious meal to fuel their development.

Unfortunately, for all the magic and beauty of breastfeeding, plenty of challenges come up, and if you’re a brand new mom, you’ve likely heard more than a few horror stories. 

But don’t worry — you have a team of experts walking alongside you. Drs. Tina Floy and Trinidad Rojas at Wellness Pediatrics in Fairfax, Virginia, know how important breastfeeding is for both you and your new bundle. 

So in this blog and to mark August as National Breastfeeding Month, we help you prepare for what may be to come and give you the tools to respond quickly so you can stay on track. 

Nipple issues

By far, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome is sore or cracked nipples. If we’re honest, breastfeeding can hurt, especially if it’s your first time. Babies have a stronger suckling reflex than you might realize, and they can break the skin on your nipples and your will to go on. 

You can nip sore nips in the bud and avoid infections like thrush by:

• Making sure your baby is latching properly
• Breaking the suction gently by using your finger 
• Keeping your nipples clean
• Rubbing lanolin or even your own milk into your nipples
• Wearing pads or shells to keep your nipples from rubbing against your clothes

Your baby’s sucking instincts are strongest when they’re hungry, so nurse on your least sore side first. Nursing shouldn’t be excruciating for long, so if you’re nursing sore nipples for longer than the first few weeks or starting to bleed, don’t wait; schedule a consultation with us. 

Is my baby getting enough? 

You know exactly how much milk your baby is getting with formula feeding. With breastfeeding, there’s no way of knowing, so it’s easy to find yourself worrying whether your baby is getting enough. The anxiety may even make you throw in the towel altogether. 

You know your baby is getting enough milk if they:

• Use good mechanics during feeding, such as a proper latch
• Come off your breast on their own
• Seem sleepy or relaxed after nursing
• Are gaining weight steadily
• Are making wet and dirty diapers

Your breasts should also feel softer after nursing. It can be hard to tell if your baby’s getting enough if you’re not sure what to look for, so don’t hesitate to come in for a checkup to ensure your little one is growing on track. 

Is my baby getting too much?

Too much breast milk is just as frustrating for your baby as too little breast milk, and sometimes, you overproduce or have a strong letdown that floods your baby’s mouth. Simply changing your position may be all it takes to allow the force of gravity to slow the flow of your milk. 

If you have a strong letdown, consider pumping or hand expressing for a few minutes before nursing so your baby latches with an easier-to-swallow flow. 

Breast engorgement

Breast engorgement happens when your breast gets too full of milk and becomes hard and painful. This is especially common when your milk first comes in and during your first few weeks of figuring out breastfeeding. 

Don’t panic — your body has an uncanny way of adjusting to meet your baby’s needs, so engorgement often works itself out. But if you’re not careful, your milk ducts can become blocked, and/or you can develop mastitis. 

We recommend feeding your baby regularly and ensuring they get full feedings. Draining your breasts completely (even if you need to pump to do it) can help you avoid engorgement. 

Lackluster latching

At the end of the day, breastfeeding is a skill you and your baby learn together — at 3 o’clock in the morning. It may take you both a while to get the hang of things, but a lousy latch can be painful and mean your baby isn’t eating as much as they should.  

Your baby is latched on properly if:

• Their mouth is wide and full of your breast
• Their chin is touching your breast, the lower lip is rolled down, and their nose is against your breast
• You don’t feel pain in your breast or nipple

Lactation consultants are experts in the art of the latch and can observe a nursing session to give you pointers on where your baby’s latch is going haywire. 

If breastfeeding is your goal, but you’re overwhelmed by everything that can go wrong, don’t start your journey without our experts. Whether you’re still expecting or in the throes of early breastfeeding, call us at 571-350-0953 or use our online booking tool to get the support you need.