Common Breastfeeding Challenges and Solutions

You’ve probably heard—and experts agree—breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months offers many health benefits for you and your baby. It can help protect your baby from infections, help speed your recovery from childbirth, and so much more.

But breastfeeding can also take a bit of getting used to at first, and we want to help you stay with it! That’s why we’ve put together a list of common breastfeeding challenges that some moms face, along with some helpful solutions. Contact a healthcare professional if you’re uncertain about what you’re experiencing and to get expert advice

Nipple soreness—sore breasts while breastfeeding newborns
In the beginning, it is common to have some pain or discomfort when your baby first latches on and begins feeding. Later, you may experience tugging, though pain should not be present. For many women, nipple soreness can be caused by:

•  Baby’s latch position
•  A teething baby
•  Dry, cracked nipples
•  Breastfeeding position

Ways to relieve pain and discomfort:

You might notice your baby continues to suck when coming off your breast. Help ease discomfort when taking your baby off your breast by gently inserting a finger into the side of their mouth to break the suction.

For dry or cracked nipples, smooth some breast milk onto your nipple and keep your breast open to air long enough to dry after nursing. Changing to a different breastfeeding position can also help relieve nipple pain. Learn more about different feeding positions in our Breastfeeding guide.

Breastfeeding engorgement pain (or "full" breasts)
Engorgement happens when the glands and blood vessels in the breast swell. This can happen when your milk arrives, causing your breasts to become swollen, hard, and painful. Sometimes with engorgement, the nipples cannot point outward to allow the baby to latch on correctly. This can make nursing even more difficult. Pain, stress, and anxiety can limit milk flow and may result in milk buildup.

Ways to relieve breast engorgement:

• Learn to relax and find a comfortable and supportive breastfeeding position
• Nurse often (8 times or more in 24 hours) for at least 15 minutes per side
• Express milk with your hand or with a pump for a few minutes to soften breasts enough to allow your baby to latch
• Alternate warm showers with cold compresses to help relieve discomfort

Clogged milk duct—symptoms and treatment
Plugged milk ducts are common, and this happens when a milk duct is not drained properly. A milk duct can become plugged when your baby is not feeding well. It can also get blocked if you skip a feeding, which is common when you’re trying to wean your baby off the breast. Wearing a bra that’s too tight can even be another cause.

Symptoms of a blocked milk duct are:

•    Tenderness
•    Breast pain
•    Warmth and slight redness in one area
•    A lump you feel close to the skin

Continue to breastfeed as often as your baby is hungry, so your breasts produce milk to meet baby's current demand. Ensure baby is positioned appropriately and has a good latch to facilitate milk removal. To improve your comfort, try alternate breastfeeding positions and avoid tight-fitting clothing on the breast and underarm areas. Cold packs can also be applied to the affected area

Mastitis—symptoms of breast inflammation

Breast inflammation, called mastitis, may cause you to feel tired and achy, have a fever, a sore lump in the breast, and possibly skin color changes. Sometimes it may involve an infection. If you have these symptoms, call your doctor for instructions. Next steps may include the same activities as for clogged milk ducts along with other recommendations specific to your needs.

You can still nurse from the affected breast since this will help it heal and won’t harm your baby. But if nursing becomes too uncomfortable, you can use your hand or a pump to express milk to the level of softness you feel after a breastfeeding.

Your baby's demand for milk and your body’s natural ability to produce it will determine how much breast milk you have. Remember that feeding your baby more often and with complete milk removal can boost your milk supply. How long feedings last does not necessarily affect how much milk you make.

Frequent feedings with complete milk removal, good nutrition, and plenty of rest and fluids can help boost your breast milk supply.

6 ways to help increase your breast milk production

• Start breastfeeding right after birth
  To help get into the flow, hold your newborn baby on your chest, skin to skin. Your little one may find your breast naturally. Encourage your baby to have their first feeding within the first hour after delivery. The latching and rhythmic sucking helps to switch on the cells in your breasts and turn on your milk supply!
  
  Even if you can’t start feeding your baby right away, breastfeeding is still possible. Use a pump or hand express to initiate your milk supply and try again when baby is ready.
  
  
• Breastfeed your baby often
  Especially in the first few weeks, it’s normal to breastfeed 8 to 12 times a day, every 2 to 3 hours—even during the night.
  
  
• Make sure your baby is latched
  Check to see that your baby is latched on to your breast and is in a comfortable position. Look and listen for signs that your baby is swallowing. To get a good latch, aim your nipple toward the roof of their mouth. They should latch onto more than just your nipple, also taking some of your breast tissue in their mouth in order to feed well.
  
  
• Offer your baby both breasts
  It's OK for your baby to sometimes nurse on only one breast during feeding. But doing this too often will cause your milk supply to decrease, so regularly offer both breasts and alternate which breast you offer first. If your baby feeds from only one breast occasionally, you can pump the alternate breast to release pressure and support your milk production.
  
  
• Don't skip feedings
  If you need to miss a feeding, you’ll still want to pump your breasts to help protect your milk supply.
  
  
• Use caution with medications
  Some over-the-counter and prescription medications can decrease your milk supply. Tell your doctor that you are a nursing mother and ask which over-the-counter medications are okay to take while breastfeeding.
  

Some women worry about low milk supply, but low milk supply is rare. In fact, most women make more breast milk than their babies actually drink. Again, if you have questions about whether your baby is getting enough milk, contact your baby's doctor or a lactation consultant.

For more helpful hints and resources, download our Art of Breastfeeding Guide(PDF, 14.5 MB).

It’s normal for babies to skip a feeding now and then. This may just mean that they’re feeling less hungry. We hope this happens at night so you can get a little more sleep!

But if you think your baby is not latching properly or breastfeeding well, it’s possible they may not be getting enough breast milk to give them the energy to breastfeed well. Keep in mind that newborns and young infants can become dehydrated quickly, so contact your baby's doctor if you have concerns. 

Contact your doctor if you notice these symptoms:

• Your baby won’t wake up, latch on, and breastfeed for most feedings
• You don’t see normal amounts of wet diapers: 1 per day on day 1 of life, 2 per day on day 2, and at least 6 per day after day 5  
• The soft spot on top of your baby's head is sinking into his skull. This is a common sign of dehydration
• Your baby's lips and mouth are dry

Getting into the flow

We understand that breastfeeding can have its challenges, especially in the beginning and for new moms. But, with the right adjustments or help from your healthcare provider, most problems can be turned into breastfeeding success for you and your little one.