Common breastfeeding problems

Getting to know the common breastfeeding problems can help to prepare you for an awesome breastfeeding experience!

The main key to successful breastfeeding is realising when you need help and then getting it, either by finding out as much as you can online, talking to a lactation consultant or even getting some advice from somebody that you know that has had a good breastfeeding experience.

The more prepared you are for breastfeeding once your baby is born, the more likely you will have a great breastfeeding experience.

- Acid reflux affects most babies, babies with acid reflux are usually very miserable and spit up allot...here are some guidelines on breastfeeding an acid reflux infant

- If your baby is premature (even at 36-37 weeks) Read more on breastfeeding preemies here

- Your baby is very small

- You have twins (tips on breastfeeding twins here)

- Your baby has a birth defect like Down syndrome or any oral breastfeeding problems like a cleft palate can cause sucking problems.

- Your baby has any illness where baby has been kept away from his mother for longer than 24 hours.

- Frustration and depression - Read more on PPD "postpartum depression"

- Baby refuses to drink "breastfeeding strike"

- Baby biting during breastfeeding

- Mom has an illness or has had complications with the birth or has had a c section delivery (more on breastfeeding after a c section here)

- The mom struggled to breastfeed with the last baby

- Baby has periods during the day or evening when he cluster feeds

- Thrush while breastfeeding

- Mom feels that she cannot continue to breastfeed while working

- Mastitis breast infection

- Previous breast surgery including any breast radiation...read more on breastfeeding after breast surgeries here

- Flat, concave or inverted nipples (more on breastfeeding with flat or inverted nipples)

- Mom is ill has a cold, or has any of the following problems...Herpes, STDs, thyroid problems, cancer, Hepatitis, mastitis etc. Read more on breastfeeding while sick

- Baby has colic

- Baby is going through a growth spurt period which makes him drink allot more, and is fussy allot more too.

- Breastfeeding a baby with Jaundice

- Mom has engorged breasts and is in pain.

Most of the above common breastfeeding problems can cause mom to have low milk supply or cause her to think that she has a low supply. If you are a new mom, please remember that supplementing your breast milk with formula in the first few days is not necessary. Baby has a very small tummy and doesn’t need much. As your baby needs more milk your breasts will start to produce more.

Maximize your chances of being successful at breastfeeding:

- Breastfeed your baby right after he is born. Your baby should stay in the same room as you, so that you can breastfeed on demand.

- Instruct the nurses at the hospital that you do not wish your baby to be supplemented with formula.

- Try not to use a bottle for the first month, this will ensure that you breastfeed effectively. If you cannot breastfeed baby within the first few days you can always cup feed baby

- Avoid using a pacifier: Using a pacifier can sometimes cause early weaning and can also increase chances of ear infection

- Follow a well balanced diet with sufficient calorie intake (breastfeeding diet guidelines)

- If you can decide whether to give normal birth or caesarean preferably choose natural birth. Natural birth will have your body responding the way it should be, and therefore you will have a lower risk of low milk supply

- As a last resort mom can decide to pump exclusively and give baby the breast milk with a bottle or cup feed the breast milk until baby is ready to breastfeed.

Many moms feel that they want to give up on breastfeeding after a while due to the many different difficulties they might be experiencing during breastfeeding, but can I please encourage you to read our page on the benefits of breastfeeding, not just for your baby but for your sake too.  

Other pages on "breastfeeding problems" in connection with common breastfeeding problems

- Proper latching

- Breastfeeding preemies

- Breastfeeding positions

- Low milk supply

- Nipple pain

- Tips on breastfeeding twins

- Sucking problems

- Breastfeeding and working

- Breastfeeding with flat or inverted nipples

- Breastfeeding after a c-section

- Breastfeeding diet guidelines

- Inspirational breastfeeding stories

- Pumping exclusively - Tips and advice

- Growth spurts in breastfed babies

- Breastfeeding and weight loss

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