Difficulty breastfeeding: understand the challenges and how to overcome them

The importance of breast-feeding It goes beyond feeding the baby and strengthening the mother’s bond with the newborn. Breast milk is essential for the child’s health, as it is adapted to their needs, provides essential nutrients for their development and provides protection against diarrhea, infections and allergies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed until they are six months old. However, some women may face difficulties in breastfeeding and it is necessary to identify these difficulties and seek help to overcome them.

With the help of experts, the CNN listed the most common breastfeeding challenges and how to treat them. Check them out:

Pain when breastfeeding

According to Jéssica Savani, a pediatric nurse and breastfeeding specialist, one of the main challenges related to breastfeeding is pain when breastfeeding, which may or may not be accompanied by cracked nipples. “Unfortunately, this symptom is not normal, and mothers who do not participate in a breastfeeding consultation before the baby is born often experience this problem,” she says.

The specialist explains that, even in the maternity ward, the mother may not receive adequate guidance on breastfeeding and, when they go home, pain may arise. “I always recommend consulting while still pregnant and preparing yourself correctly for breastfeeding, as well as preparing your breasts for this process, thus avoiding all these problems”, she suggests.

According to Tatiane Cicerelli Marchini, pediatrician and neonatologist, specialist at the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP), common causes of pain and cracked nipples include:

• Incorrect latching of the baby to the breast;
• Strong or frequent sucking by the baby;
• Breast infections;
• Dry or insensitive nipple skin.

Flat or inverted nipple

According to Roberta Simonaggio, a gynecologist and obstetrician specializing in human reproduction at Hospital Pérola Byington, anatomical issues, such as flat or inverted nipples, are also among the common challenges of breastfeeding.

A flat nipple is characterized by not being protruding and being almost at the same level as the areola, which makes it difficult for the baby to latch on and suck during breastfeeding. An inverted nipple, on the other hand, instead of pointing outwards from the breast, is retracted inwards, also making breastfeeding difficult.

According to guidelines from the Ministry of Health, in these cases it is necessary to adjust the baby to latch onto the nipple and areola and test different positions that facilitate latching. Massaging the breast before starting breastfeeding, stimulating the release of milk, can make it easier for the baby to latch on.

Insufficient milk production

Low milk production can occur due to the mother’s dehydration, according to Simonaggio. Therefore, it is essential that the woman maintains constant hydration. In addition, previous surgeries can also make it difficult for the milk to come in, such as breast reduction, breast implants and mastopexy, for example.

“Common causes of low milk production include low frequency and duration of breastfeeding, which does not signal the body the need to produce more milk; incorrect latch by the baby; high levels of stress and fatigue, which can interfere with milk production due to low production of oxytocin, a hormone that helps with milk ejection,” adds Marchini.

However, there are also psychological factors that can affect milk production, says Savani. “In these cases, the problem can be completely reversed by treating these psychological factors. However, in the case of breast surgeries, unfortunately, it is not possible to achieve progress and, sometimes, nutritional means via formula are necessary to assist in this process”, he states.

hardened milk

Breast engorgement, also known as breast engorgement, occurs when the breast produces more milk than the baby can drink. According to the Ministry of Health, the problem occurs when the breast becomes so full that the skin is stretched, causing the breast to harden and the appearance of lumps.

“In cases of blocked milk, we need to drain the milk and also assess the reason why it is blocked. In most cases, we use milk drainage, massage and guidance on how to latch on and position the baby on the breast to help the mother,” explains Savani.

In addition, Marchini lists other important tips for relieving breast engorgement, such as: maintaining skin-to-skin contact between the baby; gently massaging the breasts before and during breastfeeding; increasing the frequency of breastfeeding; applying cold compresses after breastfeeding; using breast pumps to extract milk and relieve the breasts; drinking plenty of water and trying to have moments of rest.

Baby’s difficulty sucking milk

The baby may also have difficulty sucking milk during breastfeeding, which can lead to other breastfeeding-related conditions, as we saw earlier. “When there is difficulty sucking, there may be anatomical causes, such as an inverted or flat nipple, and physiological causes, such as the baby not having a sucking reflex, which is common in cases of prematurity, for example,” she says. Simonaggio.

Other factors related to the baby’s health can also interfere with the baby’s latch and milk suction, such as tongue tie (which limits the baby’s movements), excessive tiredness or hunger in the baby, and neurological or muscular conditions, according to Marchini.

“If difficulties persist, it is important to consult a pediatrician or lactation consultant for a detailed evaluation of the baby and mother. Underlying medical conditions or other factors may be involved and need to be addressed,” advises the pediatrician.

How to make breastfeeding easier for both mother and baby? See important tips

For the breastfeeding period to be as peaceful as possible, both for the mother and the baby, there must be preparation and guidance from the prenatal period.

“Pregnant women should receive all the information about breastfeeding. Women who have recently given birth should be encouraged to breastfeed and supported, especially in the early stages of the postpartum period. Ultimately, society as a whole should be involved in breastfeeding and should encourage it, not accepting false assumptions,” says Simonaggio.

Furthermore, it is important to remember that breastfeeding is a period of adaptation for both mother and child. “We have a newborn baby who needs to learn how to feed himself, and we have a mother in the postpartum period, which is a time of emotional fragility, and therefore we need to work to make breastfeeding as pleasurable as possible for both,” notes Savani.

In this sense, the specialist’s recommendation is to consult a professional who specializes in breastfeeding. Finally, Marchini also gives some practical tips for breastfeeding, such as:

• Choose a comfortable position, using pillows and cushions for breastfeeding;
• Create a calm, stress-free environment for breastfeeding, if possible;
• Keep your nipples moisturized to prevent cracking;
• Maintain a balanced diet and constant hydration with water;
• Take care of your mental health by investing in relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, as well as seeking support from a mental health professional when necessary.

Breastfeeding protects mother, baby and environment, says expert