Breastfeeding, whilst encouraged as a natural and primitive experience, is not without issue. Although it is natural for it to be painful and discomforting, we have a few tricks to help your comfort when nursing!
Oversupply: In cases where you’re experiencing too much milk, doctors encourage new mothers to nurse more often. Whether it be personal choice or a matter of circumstance, every option has a number of variables to consider.
- Forceful Letdown: Oversupply of breast milk can result in letdown issues for the baby; causing your newborn to gag and potentially choke on your supply. Whilst pumping your breast milk between feeds is recommended, manual expression of milk prior to nursing may positively affect your flow.
- Swelling: when holistic use of frozen cabbage leaves doesn’t help, alternating between hot and cold compresses on the breast can relieve pain caused by oversupply.
Latch Issues: Adjust holding your baby to ensure that they’re latched onto both the nipple and the breast to ensure a good hold.
Tongue ties: These can have a significant effect on your baby’s ability to latch, and how long they’re able to nurse. This can be identified by a latching consultant, who will be able to advise you further.
Undersupply: Sometimes breastfeeding and the ability to nurse is affected by the lack of significant milk supply. Here are a few, healthy alternatives.
- Herbal supplements: Supplements can be taken by nursing mothers to encourage their milk supplies.
- Little and often: Nursing little and often, alternating between each breast, will encourage your milk supply.
Formula: A more diverse and healthier option for your newborn than it used to be. Whilst breastfeeding is recommended as the healthiest alternative, a doctor will be able to advise you on the right formula for your child.
Treatment: Treating the nipple with coconut oil, lanolin and salt water soaks are safe ways to repair the skin, whilst soothing your pain.
Thrush: Your baby’s gut is ever-evolving as their immunity develops throughout the nursing period. As a result, your child may develop thrush and infect the breast tissue during feeds. Keep the breast dry to avoid the spread of bacteria and consult your doctor.
Clogged ducts: Frequent nursing, alongside exposure to bacteria, can result in infections such as mastitis within the breast. Your doctor will be able to advise you on antibiotics to treat the infection, whilst keeping your supply safe for your baby to continue nursing.
Nursing can be painful, difficult, and troublesome at first, but once you have found the perfect way to breastfeed your newborn child, you will cherish the bonding time you have together!