Breastfeeding problems are very common among moms. Medical experts suggest that new moms should breastfeed for up to six months, which is essential for the baby’s proper growth. But many moms who start breastfeeding have to stop before six months due to some breastfeeding issues.
Breastfeeding is a natural process. It is common to face breastfeeding issues. But the early detection of breastfeeding problems is necessary to continue breastfeeding without complications. Luckily with medical guidance and support, you can resolve the issues easily.
Sometimes moms are struggling with breastfeeding challenges but cannot detect the root cause of the breastfeeding problems. It can cause major issues for babies as they completely depend on breast milk. You can recognize breastfeeding complications easily and only you need to consider maternal signs of breastfeeding problems that I will reveal further in the post.
How Can I Recognize Breastfeeding Complications?
Breastfeeding problems can ultimately interfere with your milk production process and affect your baby’s growth. If you experience difficulty with breastfeeding, immediately contact your midwife. I have mentioned some signs of breastfeeding issues that will guide you to recognize the signs of breastfeeding issues as early as possible:
Your Baby’s Nursing Routine
Breastfeeding sessions can help you to sense breastfeeding problems. If your baby’s breastfeeding session is consistently briefer than ten minutes means he/she is not getting enough milk. And on the other side, if the nursing session is constantly longer than 50 minutes, then also your baby is not having sufficient milk.
In both cases, slow milk production in your body can be a reason. In that case, immediately talk to your doctor; they will help you to deal with this problem. Tell your doctor everything about your daily diet or medication so that they provide the best way to enhance milk production.
Your Baby Still Seems Hungry After Most Feeds
If you feel your baby is looking weak or hungry after a long session of breastfeeding. Consult your paediatrician and weigh your baby right away. Sometimes, milk production is well, but the baby cannot have milk due to the wrong positioning to have milk.
This is why doctors and nurses guide the new mother about the right posture for breastfeeding in the hospital to avoid this breastfeeding problems. So, you need to double-check your baby’s latch-on and position at the breast to increase the milk he/she is getting.
Frequently Misses Breastfeeding Session or Your Baby Sleep Through the Night
Frequent feedings are essential to keeping your baby’s health in check. Usually, doctors suggest feeding your baby every two hours so that the newborn baby gets all the essential nutrients and gains sufficient weight to thrive.
Mothers can feel whether their baby is sucking milk or not. When the baby swallows milk, mothers can hear that sound too. During the early days of breastfeeding, you may not hear that sound as the baby is too small or taking small sips of colostrum.
Swallowing is an excellent sign that your baby is ingesting milk, but you need to consult your doctor if you don’t hear that sound. If your baby sleeps longer than four hours a night, wake up your baby and encourage them to nurse and make sure to feel the swallowing sound.
Your Baby is Under Their Birth Weight
Usually, the weight of the newborn baby is between 3 kg to 4 kg, and after birth, as the baby starts to have breast milk, its weight gradually increases. The baby should put on weight at least 5 to 7 ounces per week. If the baby’s weight is not increasing as per the mentioned scale, this indicates a breastfeeding problems.
If your baby is not getting enough weight, it means the baby is not having sufficient milk. It would help if you visited your midwife to know exactly about your breastfeeding issue.
You Don’t Feel the Breasts are Full of Milk or Severe Breast Engorgement
 If you feel your breasts are not full of milk and the milk production is not happening, you should visit your midwife and examine your breasts. If you feel your breasts are hard and painful, that is a major sign of a breastfeeding problems that can discourage the mother and baby from nursing.
Hard breasts prevent your baby from latching on correctly, and your baby doesn’t get enough milk. Consult with your doctor to resolve these issues. Meanwhile, you can use a breast pump to express milk or you can manually express your milk until your breasts may get soft.Â
Severe Pain Interferes With Breastfeeding
If you feel severe pain during breastfeeding or have cracked nipples, immediately visit your doctor to examine your breasts. It usually happens due to incorrect latching of your baby or breast infection.
Conclusion
If you are concerned about your baby’s milk intake, you should keep a record baby’s wet diapers and bowel movements to know whether they are progressing or not. It would be best if you visited your midwife with this record to know exacting about your child’s milk intake.
Most hospitals and lactation specialists also provide a diary to record newborn feedings and diaper changes. The urine or stool color indicates your baby’s health or milk intake. It is normal to have a breastfeeding problems. Only you need to be more aware to keep you and your baby’s health in check.
FAQ’s – Maternal Signs of Breastfeeding Problems
Breastfeeding also builds up a relationship between a mother and baby. New moms can feel the magic that is happening between them and their babies. Breastfeeding problems can distract them from continuing to feel this magic for a while as the problems can solve with medical guidance. Here I have answered some of the most asked questions about breastfeeding issues:
What are the reasons behind nipple or breast pain?
Nipple injury, cracked nipples, and swollen breasts cause nipple or breast pain.
How often should I breastfeed?
You need to breastfeed your baby for about every one to two hours during the day and night.Â
How long should feedings be?
There is no set time for breastfeeding. It depends on your baby. You should feed at least 15 to 20 minutes per breast. Your baby will let you know when he/she finished feeding. If you have any doubt your baby is not getting sufficient milk, talk to your baby’s doctor.
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Great knowledge for everyone thanks 😊