OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Some women have a straightforward breastfeeding experience from the start, but statistics show that 80% of UK women who start breastfeeding, stop before they want to. It is worth knowing that most breastfeeding challenges can be overcome, but can escalate quite quickly. Please don't suffer in silence, and do seek skilled breastfeeding support if you are having difficulties. Have a read of the article on p33 of the Spring 17 Clapham NCT magazine about sources of support.
PHYSICAL DIFFICULTIES
The most common cause of challenges is poor positioning & attachment of your baby at the breast – small adjustments can make significant differences.
SORE NIPPLES
Signs include pain throughout feed, mishapen or pinched at end of feed, redness, soreness, cracking or bleeding. Check positioning & attachment. Almost certainly a sign that something is not right with the positioning & attachment of your baby at the breast.
ENGORGEMENT
signs include swollen, hard, hot and uncomfortable breasts. In first few days caused by increased blood supply and extra fluid as mature milk "comes in", usually settles down in a couple of days. Later engorgement can caused by too much milk in the breast e.g. ineffective attachment, change in baby's feeding and/or sleep
pattern, over-supply. Feed your baby
regularly, check positioning & attachment, if
attaching is difficult gently express a little milk
to soften breast, some mothers find warmth helps to get the milk flowing, others find applying cold after feeding soothing by reducing blood flow to breast.