Common Breastfeeding Problems And Their Solutions
Author: SCOTT ANDREWS
While the mothers milk is best for the emotional and physical well being of the infant, several breastfeeding problems may crop up for the nursing mother making it difficult for her to continue nursing her child. Some of these can be easily overcome with a little care and use of technology. Others, however, may require medical intervention.
Sore nipples: One of the commonest problems that affect breastfeeding mothers is sore nipples. If not treated or taken care of in time, this may lead to serious infection and pain. Sore nipples are mainly caused by improper latching on. Follow the guides of your healthcare provider to know exactly how you should help the baby to latch on properly.
Especially after the feed, insert your forefinger inside the babys mouth while gently pilling out the nipple with the thumb and ring finger. This will avoid injury to the nipple. Clean the nipples before and after feeds with sterilized cotton swabs and air dry them to avoid moisture build up which may cause infections such as thrush.
Yeast Infection: Thrush is one of the most common breastfeeding problems. It appears as a whitish growth on the tongue of the infant and shooting pain in the breast while feeding, accompanied by red, swollen and/or painful nipples. It needs medical attention, with both the mother and child being simultaneously treated with antibiotics.
To avoid thrush, dry your nipples after every feed. Use nursing pads inside your brassiere to keep yourself dry. The general idea is to keep clean and dry to avoid yeast growth.
Engorged Breasts: If you produce more milk than your baby is able to take in on a certain day, your breasts may become engorged, resulting in a painful situation. To avoid this, you may express excess milk in small quantities with the help of breast pumps. Make sure you dont express too much regularly as the body will get the wrong signal and keep producing more.
Blocked Ducts And Mastitis: The commonest symptom of a blocked duct is a red inflammation, probably painful, on the breast. This happens when an inflammation in the surrounding tissue does not allow the milk to flow out from the gland. The accumulated milk gets forced into the breast tissue, causing inflammation and pain. If it gets into the bloodstream, you may get mastitis, a medical condition of pain accompanied by fever which needs immediate attention.
Common blocked ducts appear as a white spot on the end of a nipple caused by improper drainage of the breast. Usually, cells grow to cover the opening of the duct and are easily removed by sterilized needle or even clean fingernail. If you need to do it yourself, do it after the baby has fed as the nipple is softer then.
Most breastfeeding problems are avoided with a little awareness and good hygiene. After that - it is only good health and plenty of bonding between the mother and her child.About the Author:
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breast feeding guide on the given link to know more about the basics of breastfeeding. Also know about the common
breastfeeding problems faced by women.
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