How to deal with breastfeeding pain?
Mothers can experience different problems during breastfeeding. Some of them can be serious enough to stop the whole process. This is unfortunate for two reasons. First of all, it is that breastfeeding unmistakably offers your baby the best start in life. Second, most problems can be solved easily.
Common problems with breastfeeding
Consider the main problems that the mother has to deal with:
- Milk production absent, weak or lean
- Spoiled milk, bad, cheese, bloody or curd
- Painful nipples
- Nipples withdrew
- Mastitis
- Pain during breastfeeding
Of these, the most common problems are the lack of supply and nutrition-related pain, whether it is an infection or a sensitivity.
Experienced midwives can offer natural solutions for many problems. Because of the growing influence of the pharmaceutical industry in the field of health, many people cannot fully benefit from their wisdom.
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It is up to you to do the research.
Diet is essential for maintaining your health. Your body will not be able to supply enough milk if your health is affected in any way. The first two areas where you must act are therefore your diet and your health care.
A healthy, high-quality natural diet, instead of the typical Western diet, which generally has a shortage of nutrition, can lead to unusual changes in your health, milk production, and other related problems.
Although it is of the utmost importance for your health, nutrition is not the only cause of health problems, such as your milk production and the potential risk of infections.
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How to solve Common Breastfeeding Problems
Homeopathic treatment is one of the best ways to improve your health. At a broad level or just at an acute level, homeopathic treatment can solve almost all the problems associated with breastfeeding.
Some of the benefits of homeopathy are:
- It is natural
- It restores the healing powers of your body where they should be
- It is entirely safe for your baby and you
- Health problems are treated instead of being removed or softened
- The results are usually fast
Breastfeeding problems do not have to be for you. Consulting a professional homeopath can bring you the deep healing you need to live without problems. You can also learn how to use some of the common homeopathic remedies at home.
In addition to homeopathic treatments, there are a few more things you can do to solve breastfeeding problems. Here are the solutions for common breastfeeding problems.
Painful nipples – Latching Pain
After birth, it is natural for the nipples to be sensitive. For a first-time mom, it is also the first time to breastfeed and she needs to learn how to do it well, therefore she must be very patient.
If the pain lasts, the solution is to achieve asymmetrical latch where the baby’s mouth covers most of the areola – the pigmented area on the breast around the nipple.
In many cases, using a nipple shield could be a good solution too.
When to consider nipple shields for nursing?
Consider using a nipple shield in the following cases:
- Breastfeeding a premature baby
- Moms with flat or inverted nipples
- Painful nipples
Be aware of the disadvantages of using nipple shields:
- The baby may get less milk if the shield is used incorrectly
- It can be difficult to wean from the shield
Click here to watch Medela nipple shield.
If the latch position of the baby is correct and latching on still hurts, your nipples may be dry. In this case, you can consider using lanolin-based creams, which are good to apply between feedings. Such as this Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream for Breastfeeding which is 100% natural. Moreover, make sure to wear loose cotton clothing and avoid washing with soap.
In case of cracked nipples, try to let some milk stay on your nipples to air dry after feeding, this milk actually helps heal them. It is very important not to wash the area with soaps, and don’t use alcohol, lotions, or perfumes.
Plugged Ducts and Mastitis
A plugged (or blocked) duct is an area of the breast where milk flow is obstructed. The symptom is a hard lump or wedge-shaped area of engorgement in the vicinity of the plug that may feel tender, painful, hot, swollen or look reddened.
Mastitis is a severe condition, meaning inflammation of the breast or udder, usually associated with breastfeeding. Symptoms typically include local pain and redness.
In case of plugged ducts, you need to apply warm compresses to your breasts and massage them to stimulate milk movement. It is essential to keep on nursing even if it may be painful. This way you can prevent Mastitis, meaning that Mastitis prevention is by frequently and properly breastfeeding.
In the case of Mastitis, the only way to treat the infection is with antibiotics, hot compresses, and most importantly, frequent emptying by pumping or nursing.
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Hyperlactation (overabundant milk supply)
Hyperlactation is when your body produces much more breast milk than your baby needs.
Your body produces the exact amount of milk that your baby wants. But sometimes there might be situations in which your baby will want less milk than usual because of teething pains, colic or other reasons. These situations may cause, you having too much breast milk. Your breasts will feel very full, and you may develop plugged ducts or mastitis.
In this case, you need to hand-express a little before breastfeeding to get the milk flowing and soften the breast, making it easier for baby to latch. You can also use a manual/ electric pump. But be careful not to pump too much since it might increase your breast milk.
Low milk supply
Common reasons for low milk supply:
- Your baby isn’t latching on correctly
- Your baby is going through a growth spurt
- You aren’t breastfeeding often and long enough
How can you know if you have a low milk supply?
- The baby is not gaining enough weight
- Your baby shows signs of hunger all the time
What can you do to increase milk supply?
- Pump after each feeding
- Frequent emptying by pumping or nursing
- Nurse more often
- Drink more water
- Eat more nutritious foods
Click here to reach the full article about how to increase breast milk naturally.
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Thrush
Breast and nipple pain in breastfeeding women is sometimes caused by thrush (candida) infection in the breast. Breastfed babies can also develop thrush in their mouths. In this case, you must see a doctor and get antifungal medication.
If you have any other lactation problems, you can always consult your doctor, midwife or breastfeeding consultant. Also, you can consult aromatherapist to get herbal remedies for relaxing your body and treat some of the breastfeeding problems naturally.
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