There is no question: breastfeeding is something completely natural. And yet, for many new mothers, it doesn't work right away. This is completely normal and okay. Breastfeeding problems are part of everyday life for many. Here are our tips on how to recognize the most common breastfeeding problems and overcome them in the first weeks and months.
Breastfeeding problems are part of everyday life for moms
Your child cannot latch onto the breast correctly, they are not drinking enough, you are in pain, or you can only breastfeed with aids? All these breastfeeding problems can occur in everyday life as a mom. They are quite normal, but they put young parents under stress. In particular, mothers who want to breastfeed but cannot do so easily due to breastfeeding problems often think that something is "wrong" with them. Feelings of guilt and emotional stress arise. But that is counterproductive for all young moms. That's why our first and most important piece of advice is: don't put yourself under too much pressure and inform yourself first. You are certainly not alone with your breastfeeding problem. A good, empathetic breastfeeding consultation, which can come to your home if necessary and stand by your side, is also helpful.
Breastfeeding problem: Sore or bleeding nipples
Especially at the beginning of the breastfeeding period, it is common for the nipples to be slightly irritated and pull a little. However, if pain occurs, if the nipples are very red or if they bleed, you do not have to endure this condition. It is best to get help directly from a midwife or a lactation consultant. Often the reason for sore or bleeding nipples is that your child is not latched on correctly and the breastfeeding position is not optimal for you and your baby.
The solution: Check the latching technique. If you are sitting or lying in a tense, uncomfortable position, this can lead to your milk not flowing well. Your baby becomes impatient and tugs at the nipple. Or your child is not close enough to your
body and perhaps cannot grasp the entire nipple with their mouth. Make sure that not only the nipple but the entire areola is grasped. And also try different breastfeeding positions.
Observe your baby intensively in the first few days after birth. Are they possibly not sucking correctly, are they chewing a lot on the nipple? Then have a certified lactation consultant or a doctor take a look at the breastfeeding behavior so that you can rule out that your little one has a short tongue-tie. In around 15 percent of children with breastfeeding problems, it is due to such a shortening. Most babies perform wave-like movements when sucking. With a short tongue-tie, these movements are not possible. To determine if the tie is too short, a look into the mouth is usually sufficient. If this is the case, a small surgical cut is necessary. This usually only takes a few seconds and is hardly painful for your little one. Such a procedure usually takes place just a few days after birth. Your baby is then immediately put to your breast for comfort – and as a rule, this results in a wonderful breastfeeding experience for both of you.
Milk stasis: A painful lump in the breast
Do you notice painful bumps or lumps when breastfeeding and feeling your breast? There can be many reasons for this, and it is usually a solvable breastfeeding problem. When you breastfeed, a milk duct in a lactating breast can become blocked. This is known as clogged milk ducts. The lump is painful and sensitive to pressure, causing discomfort.
The solution: Continue breastfeeding in any case. Otherwise, the risk of a larger milk blockage increases. This can quickly lead to very unpleasant mastitis. You can take matters into your own hands and gently massage the affected area. Especially while you are breastfeeding. There are also good instructional videos on the internet that show you how to express the breast to clear the blockage in the milk duct. A warm compress during breastfeeding or a warm shower / bath shortly before can also provide relief. Between feedings, you should also pump the affected breast with a manual pump to alleviate the symptoms.
If the problem persists, it is advisable to see your doctor. You can ask for therapeutic ultrasound treatment. This can also be performed by a physiotherapist, for example. If flu-like symptoms such as an elevated temperature, headache, or body aches also occur, it is always recommended to seek medical advice to prevent inflammation of the mammary gland (mastitis).
Breastfeeding problem: Your baby drinks restlessly and fidgets while feeding
Do you feel like your little one fidgets, is restless, or perhaps even makes stressed sounds during breastfeeding? This also happens time and again to new moms, and there are various solutions.
The solution: Has your baby just woken up? Then it may simply be that they are not yet hungry enough to lie effectively at the breast. It helps to just cuddle and stroke your child a bit so that they wake up and have the desire and interest to drink.
Also check the latching position. Is your little one perhaps lying awkwardly or not quite stably? This can quickly lead to frustration for your baby because they cannot grasp your nipple well due to the poor position. Make sure your baby is lying very close to you and try out other breastfeeding positions again with calm movements. It is important that you do not become nervous, hectic, or even rough. This quickly transfers to your little one.
Especially in the evening hours, many children are a bit more restless because they are processing all the stimuli of the day. Bring peace to the moment, dim the lights, and focus only on your little one. Then they will surely become calmer as well.
Also make sure that it is not too chaotic and loud around you during the breastfeeding situation. Is a sibling currently playing on the couch? Are people nearby talking and laughing while you are breastfeeding? These stimuli can distract your little one, which is why they seem restless. Here too, we advise you to find a quiet room and concentrate solely on breastfeeding with your child. Give it a try!
Breastfeeding problem: Your baby is not gaining weight
Especially at the beginning, it is important that your little one gains weight regularly. However, if the scales do not record any weight gain over a longer period of time, confidence in your own milk production is quickly lost. Many mothers then wonder whether they can provide enough milk. You might get the idea to quickly supplement with infant formula. However, this can be quite counterproductive, as your little one can then get used to the formula – and your milk flow may actually dry up.
The solution: Continue to offer your baby the breast and try to breastfeed on demand so that your milk production can ideally satisfy your child's needs. It is also helpful to pump in addition to breastfeeding. A manual pump may already be sufficient. This stimulates the breast to produce milk even between feedings. In any case, speak with your midwife and/or doctor. You need an assessment of how problematic it actually is that your child is not gaining weight weekly. You should only resort to infant formula if they expressly advise you to do so.
Breastfeeding problem: Your baby only drinks with nipple shields
Especially if your child was born early and there are difficulties with latching, it is important to provide for your little one quickly – so that weight gain occurs rapidly. It is not uncommon for new mothers to be given nipple shields by hospital staff. Nipple shields are like a "super nipple": they are longer and also slightly harder than natural nipples and create a strong sucking stimulus in the child's mouth. This is particularly advantageous for premature babies. In the long run, however, nipple shields have several disadvantages.
- Nipple shields can lead to nipple confusion in the child.
- If used incorrectly, they can further irritate the nipples and cause pain.
- The child's natural sucking reflex can wither.
- A habituation effect can occur in the baby, which makes weaning all the more difficult the longer nipple shields are used.
- Since the breast is not stimulated as strongly due to the lack of skin contact, milk production can decrease.
- The "communication" between baby and breast is disrupted by the silicone shield. Your baby's saliva sends messenger substances to the breast. For example, if an infection is approaching, antibodies are quickly produced in your breast milk to contain the infection. Nipple shields can interrupt this flow of communication.
- In addition, nipple shields are cumbersome. They must be sterilized regularly. Plus: spontaneous breastfeeding is not always possible.
The solution: Weaning. And preferably sooner rather than later. Because nipple shields are not a recommended long-term solution. To prevent nipple confusion, a few small tricks can help. Weaning is usually not that difficult if you start early enough. For example, if the baby is very hungry, breastfeed with the nipple shield first, then release your little one from the nipple and let the baby continue drinking immediately. It is also worth latching your child without a nipple shield while they are half-asleep, if they are not yet crying for the breast. Pump a little before breastfeeding so that the milk flow is already stimulated and frustration does not arise in your child in the first place. Above all, do not put yourself under time pressure. Weaning can take several days or even weeks. Do not give up and try to be patient. In the end, the vast majority of mothers have succeeded in weaning!
Breastfeeding problem: Your baby has a favorite side and only wants to drink from one breast
Do you notice that your baby always prefers one breast and practically has a "favorite side"? This is not uncommon. Many moms believe that their baby prefers one side and that it always takes a little longer at the unpopular breast. In itself, this is not problematic. However, it becomes difficult if your child only ever wants to drink from one side and completely refuses the other breast.
The solution: First of all: Don't give up and keep trying to put your child to the breast they don't like. Usually, they will get used to it sooner or later. The football hold is very helpful here. Perhaps your nipple is positioned slightly differently on the "unpopular" side. Your child can grasp the nipple from the other side.
Also, pay attention to whether your child's head generally always looks to one side. For example, it could be that your child is not refusing one side of your breast, but has a blockage in the neck. Discuss this with your pediatrician. It might help to visit an osteopathy practice. Different manual techniques are used during therapy. Blockages are intended to be released with minimal, gentle pressure movements.
Breastfeeding problem: Your baby seems to drink continuously
It can sometimes unsettle new moms when the child seemingly doesn't want to leave the breast at all during certain phases and wants to drink constantly. Many mothers then believe that the hunger was not satisfied – and may consider starting supplementary feeding. But in fact, this is a misconception. It is completely normal if your little one wants to be at the breast constantly, at least in phases. In all likelihood, your baby is "clustering." This is also known as cluster feeding.
Solution: Strictly speaking, cluster feeding is not a "breastfeeding problem" in the classic sense, but something completely natural. Your child doesn't just want to be at the breast when they are hungry, but also when they want closeness or are processing stimuli. In addition, your baby still has a very small stomach in the first few weeks, about the size of a cherry. Only after a few weeks does the stomach have more space. Breast milk is very quickly digestible and moves rapidly into the intestines. So the belly is empty again quite quickly, especially in the first few weeks, and your baby can feel hungry again soon. Last but not least, "clustering" has a useful effect on milk production. Sucking at the breast ensures the release of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for milk production. This is why babies are at the breast a lot, especially in the evening hours – to practically order production for the next day.
Breastfeeding problems: A small conclusion
Breastfeeding can be something beautiful – and it is certainly good for your child. However, if one or another difficult breastfeeding problem cannot be solved despite our suggested solutions, then you may also accept that – and, for example, fall back on formula. There is absolutely nothing wrong with not breastfeeding your child. It has nothing to do with failure or guilt if breastfeeding should not work for any reason. Simply understanding this for yourself can take a lot of pressure off you.
