Breastfeeding problems
and Sabine Schrör, medical journalist Updated onNicole Wendler holds a PhD in biology in the field of oncology and immunology. As a medical editor, author and proofreader, she works for various publishers, for whom she presents complex and extensive medical issues in a simple, concise and logical manner.
More about the expertsSabine Schrör is a freelance writer for the medical team. She studied business administration and public relations in Cologne. As a freelance editor, she has been at home in a wide variety of industries for more than 15 years. Health is one of her favorite subjects.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.Breastfeeding problems have caused many mothers to wean. For most of them there is a simple solution. Perseverance often pays off because mother and child benefit from breastfeeding. Read here which breastfeeding problems are common, what causes them and which tips and tools you can use to get the symptoms under control.
Breastfeeding Problems: Pain while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is often described as the most intimate moment between mother and child. But breastfeeding is not infrequently associated with problems that cause pain for the mother. Almost every breastfeeding woman experiences times when breast pain occurs when breastfeeding, perhaps only as a slight feeling of tension or in such a way that even the slightest touch hurts. In this case the chest is usually hard, warm and reddened.
In addition to chest pain, most mothers experience abdominal pain in the first few days after giving birth while breastfeeding. During these so-called after-labor pains, the uterus shrinks and contracts. In the second child this is even worse, so that the pain can be a little more severe.
It is not uncommon for mothers who are breastfeeding to experience headaches. These can result from hormonal changes, lack of fluids, stress, lack of sleep or tension.
Reasons for breastfeeding problems
Often it is only little things that women get wrong or simply do not notice when breastfeeding. The triggers for breastfeeding problems are diverse:
- Incorrect placement of the child, incorrect detachment from the chest
- Incorrect breastfeeding management: too frequent / infrequent breastfeeding
- Anatomical peculiarities in the child: short tongue ligament, jaw misalignment, first teeth
- Unfavorable nipple shape: flat or inverted nipple
- Clogged milk ducts due to thin skin or deposits of fat (milk cells)
- Stress, lack of sleep, mental health problems, alcohol and smoking
- Ill-fitting or too tight nursing or underwire bra
Breastfeeding problems: too little milk?
Breastfeeding problems related to the amount of milk are rarely actually problematic. Suction problems, the addition of fluids, noise and restlessness when breastfeeding or breastfeeding breaks at night can impair milk production, but the amount of milk is often completely sufficient.
Usually it is the mother's fear of producing too little milk. However, women who breastfeed eight to twelve times a day and count about six wet diapers a day from the fourth day after birth and three to four bowel movements a few weeks later need not worry.
Breastfeeding Problems and the Consequences
Breastfeeding problems become particularly painful when the relationship between "supply and demand" is mixed up. It mostly affects mothers when they start breastfeeding or when they are weaning. During these phases, the breast tissue is heavily stressed. Breast implants can complicate the situation.
The most common consequences of breastfeeding problems are:
- Sore nipples, with or without blood from the chest
- Milk congestion
- Injected milk (initial swelling of the mammary gland)
- Inflammation of the breast (mastitis)
- Abscess of the chest
- Yeast infection: thrush mastitis, Candida albicans-Infection
It usually begins with sore nipples (nipples) due to incorrect attachment or incorrect detachment of the child from the breast. If the nipples are badly affected, blood sometimes even appears while breastfeeding or expressing. Do not be frightened if your baby then belches bloody milk at the "peasant".
Bacteria can easily settle in the open areas of sore nipples. They can cause bacterial breast infection with redness, swelling, and a fever.In the worst case, an abscess forms.
In addition to bacteria, fungi can also be the cause of sore and irritated nipples or itchy breasts when breastfeeding. Other typical signs of a Candida infection are dry nipples and a red areola with white pimples. However, current studies suggest that candida infection is often misdiagnosed. Therefore, if you have suspicious symptoms, you should always consider a bacterial infection.
Breastfeeding Problems: Infectious Diseases
Even a nursing mother is not immune to infectious diseases. If the mother feels very bad, it can of course make caring for an infant more difficult. Unless it is HIV or another similarly problematic viral infection, it is not a problem if you continue to breastfeed your child: sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea and vomiting are not an obstacle.
However, if you feel sick, have someone help you take care of the baby so that you still have the strength to breastfeed. Diarrhea and vomiting disturb your body's water balance and fluids are also lost when breastfeeding: In the case of gastrointestinal infections, pay particular attention to a good supply of fluids and nutrients!
Breastfeeding Problems: Flatulence
Flatulence in mother and child can also be counted among breastfeeding problems in the broadest sense. Especially after the birth, the hormonal change can trigger digestive problems in the mother or gas and bloating in the child after breastfeeding. While this can be excruciating, it rarely helps to avoid certain foods.
You can find more information on this topic in the text Breastfeeding - Nutrition.
Breastfeeding problems: breastfeeding premature babies
Premature babies are usually too weak to completely empty the mother's breast. With special breastfeeding positions or pumping you can prevent breastfeeding problems from arising.
If the baby is born much prematurely, the maternal body may not be ready to breastfeed and milk production may be delayed. The breast milk banks that have been established nationwide for some years now offer a solution. Similar to a blood donation, healthy mothers with excess milk can donate their milk there to help mothers who cannot or are not allowed to breastfeed.
What to do if you have breastfeeding problems
You can avoid or manage most breastfeeding problems with the following tips:
- Check application technique
- Healthy nutrition with sufficient fluids
- Avoid stress, alcohol and nicotine
- Create a relaxed and calm breastfeeding atmosphere
- Switch chest side
- Correct posture as a precaution against tension and muscle pain: child to chest and not chest to child!
- Sore nipples: rub with breast milk or wool fat (lanolin), air dry after breastfeeding. Nipple shields can help in the short term, but they are not a permanent solution.
- Good hygiene: use only clean, dry nursing pads, wash hands before breastfeeding.
- Milk congestion: breastfeeding regularly, with the baby's chin facing the congested area, completely empty the breast, if necessary gently rub it out; moderate warmth before breastfeeding and cooling of the breast after breastfeeding
- Milk vesicles: warm pads before breastfeeding; If necessary, a doctor must open the vesicle with a cannula (do not do it yourself!)
Breastfeeding problems: when to see a doctor?
If breastfeeding problems worsen and chills and fever are added, you should not hesitate long to consult a doctor. If the breast infection is bacterial, anti-inflammatory pain relievers or antibiotics are needed. An abscess sometimes even has to be operated on. Antifungal ointments and creams help with a fungal infection.
But it doesn't have to come to that. Breastfeeding is not working properly or you simply feel overwhelmed with the situation? Before you develop serious breastfeeding problems or prematurely stop breastfeeding, you should seek professional help. The right contacts for all breastfeeding problems are midwives and lactation consultants.
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