Sure, breastfeeding is natural but sometimes there are challenges. Breastfeeding is a learned skill. It takes practice. Do not be surprised if challenges come up—you can prepare for them ahead of time.
It is normal for your nipples to feel a little tender at first. Expect some tenderness by day 2 or 3. It should go away by day 7 to 10. Sore nipples are almost always caused by problems with positions and latch. Both can be easy to fix.
These tips may help:
If your breast milk comes out too fast, your baby may have trouble swallowing all of it. This is common with newborns. Your baby becomes better at nursing, usually by 2 months of age. To help your baby, try pumping some milk before nursing or stop nursing your baby several times during the feeding. This gives your baby a chance to catch a breath, burp, or swallow. For some mothers, breast milk comes down very slowly. Relaxing, massaging your breast, or using warm compresses before nursing may help your milk flow better.
These tips may also help let-down occur faster:
Emotions or stress can affect let-down and may reduce the supply of breast milk. Try to relax and continue to breastfeed or express your breast milk. This allows your milk supply to return to normal.
This sometimes occurs if the baby does not breastfeed often or long enough during the first 3 to 5 days after birth, when your milk first comes in. There are many reasons for this. Some babies refuse the breast and others try to nurse but have problems latching on. When your breasts are hard and full, the nipples flatten. This makes it hard for your baby to latch.
If one or both breasts become full or hard between feedings, use a breast pump or your hand to express your breast milk. Expressing milk makes it easier for your baby to nurse because you are less engorged. Different nursing positions also may help. Ask your doctor or lactation consultant for support if this happens and you cannot get your baby to feed.
These tips may help, too:
Some women have flat or inverted nipples. This may make breastfeeding difficult, especially if your baby is not positioned or latched on the right way. Once your baby gets used to your nipple, breastfeeding goes just fine. If latch-on hurts, ask for help. Try wearing breast shields between feedings. It might help to use a breast pump just before nursing. When babies are correctly latched on, they suck on the breast and not the nipple.
These tips may help:
Blocked ducts feel like pea-size lumps under the skin of the breast. They are usually sore to the touch. They are caused by skipping or changing feedings, a large milk supply, heavy breasts not well supported, wearing a tight bra with underwires, or a poor breastfeeding position.
These tips may help:
If a blocked duct continues, it can become inflamed. This is an infection of the milk duct. It can often feel like the flu. If you feel chills or are achy, and breastfeeding is not going well, ask for help right away. Watch out for unusual warmth, redness, tenderness, or swelling in part of or in the entire breast. Mastitis often causes pain and can start quickly. Your breast milk is safe, but the area around the blocked milk duct needs medical attention. It is safe to breastfeed from that breast.
For relief:
When it comes to feeding your baby, it is hard to beat the benefits of breastfeeding. Since moms are the only ones who can breastfeed, others may feel left out during feeding times. Being a new parent is tiring! Feeding is not the only way to bond with a baby. There are many ways that friends and family can be supportive when a mother breastfeeds.
Fathers and partners are very important to all babies, no matter how the babies are fed. Many people feel that a supportive father, partner, or other close family member is one of the most important factors in having a positive breastfeeding experience. Having a supportive partner can help make the early learning period of breastfeeding easier and more enjoyable for mother and baby.
Be sure to let your grandbaby’s mom know that you support her breastfeeding, even if that is not how you chose to feed your children. Sometimes your daughter or daughter-in-law will look to you for feeding advice. Be open to the idea that she may want to feed her baby differently than you did. Help make sure she has everything she needs to successfully breastfeed her baby. Be sure she gets rest and nutritious meals.
MEALS: Help prepare meals or pick them up. It is important for mom to eat a well-balanced diet, especially when breastfeeding. What she eats or drinks affects both her and the baby.
REST: While the baby is sleeping, remind mom to take a nap or get a few minutes of rest. Wake her up when it is time for the next feeding or when the baby awakes.
BABY CARE: Help care for the baby so mom can rest. Help with bathing, changing diapers, dressing the baby, cleaning the crib, or caring for the baby. Babies love to be held!
HOUSEWORK: Help with regular household chores, such as doing the dishes, washing clothes, running the vacuum, dusting, taking the trash out, and anything else that needs to be done. If there are older children, watch them, help with their care, assist with homework, or take them to activities. Go grocery shopping or pick up items mom may need, or do other time-consuming errands.
FEEDING THE BABY: Help mom position the baby with blankets and pillows. In the beginning, help mom get the baby latched on. Get mom a glass of cool water or juice to sip on while she is breastfeeding. After the feeding, hold, burp, and change the baby. Share in this closeness!
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