Solutions For Moms Who Might Experience Problems Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the single most powerful act a woman can do to nurture a newborn life.
The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding a baby for the first six months.
There are several common problems new mothers might face that are easy to solve when first breastfeeding:

Problem #1 The baby can’t latch on correctly
New moms need to ensure skin to skin contact with the baby. Holding the baby against your chest, you can encourage them to latch on by doing gentle breast compressions with your thumb and fingers or stroking the baby just under their chin to stimulate their suckling instincts.
Guide the baby to open their mouth fully wide with their chin pressed into your chest.
Breast pumps can help prepare your body to trigger the hormonal changes for lactation, and your baby will respond in time to latch on correctly.

Problem #2 Am I making enough milk?
Your hormones will slowly but surely trigger milk production just as the baby’s stomach size begins to increase gently with more feedings. Never stress, as it takes about 4 days for most women to enter full lactation. Watch your baby’s weight for signs of dehydration while keeping a regular schedule of feeding.
This will allow both the baby and your body to adapt optimally.
Insurance covered breast pumps under your health plan can offer serious relief. They can mimic the way a baby feeds to stimulate milk production. Regular use of pumps can increase milk production in the long run. New mothers can use this assistance to catch up on much-needed sleep as well.

Problem #3 Pain while breastfeeding
Babies might feed every 2-3 hours, which can cause cracks, blisters, tenderness, or pain in the worst cases.
To fix these problems, first soothe the nipples with lanolin creams or hydro-gel pads then air dry them and wipe them to remove any foreign matter that could cause infections.
Once you've tended to the ache, try different nursing positions while using pillows and fluffy armrests to minimize your burden. With time, the baby will learn to latch on better and the pain will cease. If any pain persists, a medical professional can aid you in understanding where the problem lies.

Article Reviewed By Crystal Ibetoh MD, MBA reviews each article and ensures the accuracy of the health information. Dr. Ibetoh has strong medical interests in women's health and preventative medicine. She is also a mother of three and uses her medical expertise in addition to personal experience to provide advice about breastfeeding.

*The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding breastfeeding.*