Sore Nipples
Sore nipples are a common and frustrating difficulty of breastfeeding. The most likely cause of sore nipples is mechanical- how the baby latches on or how the baby sucks. Make certain that when the baby is going to latch on, she opens her mouth wide first. If she fails to do this, she might latch by essentially chewing her way onto your nipple, which... [Read more...]
Mastitis
Lactational mastitis is a breast infection in a breastfeeding woman. The symptoms are localized pain, swelling and redness, usually in only one breast. Often, women will get flu like symptoms and a high fever and chills. The difference between engorgement and mastitis is that engorgement usually involves both side and the whole breast, while mastitis... [Read more...]
Early Engorgement
Engorgement is technically breast swelling. In reality, it is when your breasts feel like full, hard, hot, painful watermelons. Engorgement comes in two varieties, early onset and late onset. Late onset engorgement will be discussed in another article. Early onset engorgement happens when the colostrum shifts to mature milk, usually a few days after... [Read more...]
Consequence of Sore Nipple
Early mild nipple discomfort is often present by the second day of nursing and improves once your milk starts to come in abundantly. The discomfort is usually greatest at the beginning of feedings and should seldom last throughout nursing. Sore nipple can be more than a nuisance as this complaint is the major cause of early breastfeeding termination. Nipple... [Read more...]
Excessive Leaking of Milk
Most women experience some leaking of milk when their milk ejection reflex is triggered. Most commonly milk will begin to drip from one breast while your child nurses at the other. Women also experience different triggers, for example some women find that their milk ejection is triggered during lovemaking. If you find that milk leaking embarrassing... [Read more...]
Failure of Lactogenesis
While some woman suffer from engorgement other new mothers find themselves at the other end of the spectrum wondering if their milk came in. Occasionally, lactogenesis, the onset of milk production that usually occurs two to five days after childbirth is delayed in women who experience complication in labor and delivery. Conditions that can affect... [Read more...]
Finger Feeding
Finger feeding has several drawbacks as an alternative feeding method, it is hard to learn, it is awkward to use, and can cause dependency. However finger feeding is useful for babies with a weak suck, who are experiencing nipple confusion, or are having neurological problems. A small tube is inserted into a container of expressed milk. A baby bottle... [Read more...]
Teething and Biting
If you experience your baby biting your nipple you should talk to them and reprimand them. The best way is to tell them “NO” and break the latch, then look them in the eye and say “No Biting”. Be serious but not angry for your baby may already be in tears from your surprise reaction. Offer your breast again, but if biting... [Read more...]
Thrush, Candida, or Yeast Infections
The common yeast infection that you or your baby may experience is also called thrush or candida. Infants with thrush have white patches inside their mouths or an angry looking rash on their bottoms. As a mother you can experience sharp shooting pain in your breast with sometimes red and tender nipples. You may also see patches of red or white on... [Read more...]
Mastitis
Mastitis is a bacterial infection of your breast usually resulting from a plugged duct or cracked nipple. You may have mastitis if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms along with a fever and a hard spot or lump on your breast that has some swelling , redness or pain with it. Measures you can take to help treat mastitis are taking warm showers,... [Read more...]
