6 Common Breastfeeding Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)

Breastfeeding offers several benefits for you and your baby, but it can pose some frustrating challenges, too. In fact, because breastfeeding is framed as a natural activity, many new moms are surprised to learn that it’s not always easy in the early days after delivery.

The good news is that most breastfeeding issues can be resolved with the right support and strategies. 

At Feminine Urgicare, our team offers personalized solutions for moms experiencing breastfeeding challenges, beginning with the six tips listed below.

1. Latching challenges

Nursing is a cooperative act between you and your baby. For nursing to “work,” babies need to grasp the nipple in a specific way to get the milk they need — a process called latching. 

To latch properly, your baby needs to take in the nipple and areola — the pigmented tissue encircling your nipple. If your areolas are large or your nipples are flat or inverted, latching can become a little more challenging at first.

Often, using a different nursing position, like the football hold or nursing while lying down, can help. Our team can help you find a solution that promotes primal latching, so you and your baby can relax.

2. Sore or cracked nipples

Sore nipples are another common problem for new moms, especially in the early days of breastfeeding. Often, this issue resolves as your body adjusts. However, if soreness persists or your nipples crack and bleed, it could indicate poor latching technique.

To soothe sore nipples, try different nursing positions and ask our team about lotions and creams that can help soothe irritated skin while still being safe for your baby. 

After nursing, let your breasts “air dry” instead of bundling them back in a bra, and consider using soft nursing pads made of breathable materials to prevent bra irritation.

3. Engorgement

Soon after giving birth, milk production ramps up and your breasts become extremely full and very firm — a condition known as engorgement. Breasts that are overly firm can interfere with proper latching and lead to additional discomfort, too. 

One of the best “cures” for engorgement is frequent nursing, ideally every 2-3 hours. Expressing a small amount of milk prior to nursing can help with latching, too. 

You can also try applying warm compresses to your breasts prior to nursing to increase milk flow, or consider using a pump between feedings. Over time, milk production adjusts based on your baby’s needs and nursing patterns.

4. Plugged ducts

Milk glands have small openings called ducts. If a duct gets clogged, you might feel a hard, warm, or sore lump in your breast tissue. Over time, a clogged duct increases your risk of an infection called mastitis.

If you have a plugged duct, keep nursing with that breast to improve milk flow and remove the clog. Try massaging the breast and applying warm compresses over the lump to clear the clog. 

If the clog persists or you develop a fever, call the office right away so we can provide treatment for a developing infection.

5. Low milk supply

Many new moms worry they may not be producing enough milk, especially if they haven’t nursed before or their baby is unusually fussy around feeding time. Often, this is just reflective of the adjustment period when you begin nursing, resolving as you observe your baby thriving.

Remember that frequent feeding is normal and helps increase your milk supply. Using a warm compress on your breasts prior to nursing helps milk flow more freely, and staying hydrated and well-rested are important, too. 

Finally, be sure to take a few extra steps to relax during nursing to relax milk ducts and promote better flow.

6. Overactive let-down reflex

While some moms worry about producing enough milk, others find they produce a lot — more than their babies need. Babies who gulp during nursing or pull away frequently might be having difficulties keeping up with the flow of milk, a condition that happens when the milk ducts’ let-down reflex is overactive.

To make your milk flow more manageable for your baby, try nursing while reclining or express a little milk prior to nursing. You might also need to burp your baby more often during nursing to release trapped air that can build up and cause fussiness.

You’ve got this

Breastfeeding can be challenging, but with a little extra help from our team, you and your baby can overcome initial issues and enjoy all the benefits breastfeeding offers. 

To find support for your breastfeeding needs, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Feminine UrgiCare in Paramus and Clifton, New Jersey, today.