Problems and Pain
Should breastfeeding hurt? If it does, what should I do?
Breastfeeding should not hurt! If you feel pain, use a clean finger to insert inside the baby’s mouth to break the latch. Proper positioning of your baby and proper latch are important for preventing sore nipples. Pain is not caused by frequent or long feedings.
My baby is a few days old, and suddenly my breasts feel very hard, full, and uncomfortable. What should I do?
You are experiencing engorgement, which is a frequent, normal response of the breasts to the sudden changes in hormones and the presence of milk. It usually occurs a few days postpartum, but some women never become engorged. The breasts may be tender and hard, or even shiny and red. Aggressively treating the engorgement should help it to only last 12-24 hours. This treatment includes assuring that the baby is latched on correctly, feeding at least every 2-3 hours, nursing until the breast becomes soft, using a pump if breasts are still full after the baby has nursed, massaging the breasts, and applying ice to treat swelling. You may also find it helpful to soak a thick cloth or disposable diaper in warm water and wrap it around your breast for a few minutes just before nursing your baby.
I have a white blister on the tip of my nipple and it's extremely painful. Is there anything that I can do to get rid of it?
Soaking your breast in very warm water will soften the skin covering the plug in your milk duct and the nipple tip. Immersing your breast in a relaxing warm bath would be ideal, but if that is impossible, use a bowl of warm water. A warm wet cloth on it will not do the job. After soaking, get a washcloth that has been freshly laundered and rub it up and down, back and forth to loosen the flap of dead skin that has been at least partially covering the opening of your milk duct. Don’t rub any harder than you would rub your eyelid. Then breastfeed or pump while massaging very firmly to help the milk flow out of that duct. You may be able to actually trace the milk duct. It will feel like a pencil within the breast under your fingers. It may take several repetitions of this before the "cheese" plug breaks up and the milk can flow freely again. Taking the anti-inflammatory pain medicine they gave you at the hospital to use for pain should also help by reducing the swelling within the duct which makes it harder to get the milk plug out. It is good to develop a habit of massaging all around your breast as you finish a feeding to be sure that it is well softened. Be sure to feed without a bra at least once each 24 hours in case there is pressure on a duct from the bra that is causing a problem.
I have a terrible headache, a fever, and my breast is red in one area. What is happening?
These are symptoms of mastitis, an infection of your breast. It is very important to take care of yourself right away. Please contact your physician immediately for antibiotics. Get plenty of rest and fluids. You should nurse frequently and massage while nursing. It is not necessary to stop nursing your baby. If you do not start to feel better after 2 days then contact your physician for another medication.
I’m experiencing sharp, shooting pains in my breasts while I’m nursing my baby. I’ve also noticed white patches in my baby’s mouth. What is causing these problems?
You may be experiencing thrush, a yeast infection which may be found in the baby’s mouth, in and on the mother’s nipples, on the baby’s diaper area, and/or as a vaginal infection in the mother. Both the mother and the baby must be treated at the same time by a physician in order to control this infection. Sometimes the baby or mother may not have outward symptoms, yet still be harboring the yeast organisms. Usually, a cream will be prescribed for both mother and baby. Your baby may be in pain and refuse to nurse, but treatment will offer relief in a few days. Come to one of our meetings, call one of our counseling mothers, or speak to a certified lactation consultant regarding various comfort measures you may take during this time.
My baby has been biting me while nursing. What can I do to stop it?
His teeth may feel weird and he is trying to see what he can do to make them feel better. Perhaps he would find some relief from biting on a teething ring before feedings.
However, whenever your baby bites you, quickly take him off. I would abruptly pick him up and transport him to his crib or another area and leave him there - even though he'll cry. He has to learn not to bite you. You want to give the message: I bite and I lose access to Mommy's breast. Please make sure you don't grimace or provide any other strong reactions and thereby dilute what you are trying to teach him.
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